Save a buck
As a general rule, if something is cheap, it probably won’t last, especially if it lives outside. But there are a few ways to save on outdoor furniture. Consider buying individual pieces one at a time, instead of the entire set at once (checking that the style won’t be discontinued anytime soon). A new dining table can look great, but aged chairs will make it look drab, so restore any furniture you’re planning on keeping to maintain that ‘new look’ aesthetic. If you’re an upcycler, timber furniture that has seen a few seasons can be brought back to life with a few rolls of sandpaper, some elbow grease and a decent lick of furniture oil. As well as that, old and tattered fabrics are easily reupholstered with a UV-stable fabric such as Sunbrella or Sunproof. And remember, rustic is the new chic and stumps make great stools, as long as you source them ethically – no National Parks please!
1 Fatso 1.0 chair with Sunbrella canvas fabric, $2275, Robert Plumb. 2 Quay outdoor armchair in White, $921, King Living. 3 Penthurst outdoor lounge chair in Grey, $1995, Coco Republic. 4 Normandy round in Graphite/Charcoal, $2020, GlobeWest. 5 Chelsea outdoor armchair, $599, Domayne. 6 Zaza outdoor 2.5-seater standard 2 Flex sofa in Eucalyptus, from $3883, King Living. 7 Wilomena 3-seater sofa in Fog, $7265, GlobeWest. 8 Riviera ive-piece outdoor lounge setting, $1999, Harvey Norman. 9 Trace powdercoated modular lounge, $5137, Tait. 10 Safari light teak sofa in Charcoal, $1099, Freedom.