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GET YOUR GARDEN PREPPED FOR WARMER DAYS WITH THIS ESSENTIAL GUIDE FROM THE EXPERTS
Finding the right seating for relaxing, entertaining and dining alfresco will transform your outdoor space, and extend your living area onto the patio or decking during the summer. However, there are so many options available and choosing the right type can be daunting.
So what should you be looking out for when you shop for outdoor furniture? We’ve asked the experts to share some of their industry know-how on what to check when parting with your cash.
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LOUNGING OR DINING (OR BOTH?)
Begin by deciding what you plan to use your outdoor furniture for. Is it merely for soaking up the sun, relaxing with a book and a drink? Then a lounging set is best. If you plan to have garden parties focused around a barbecue, pizza oven and eating alfresco, then a dining table and chairs is the ideal choice.
‘If you’re looking to entertain family and friends, you are likely to opt for more casual dining options over a traditional dining set,’ notes Tim Penell, head of sales and marketing at Bramblecrest (bramblecrest.com). ‘These offer the versatility of dual-height tables (simple to switch from coffee to dining) or you could consider a set with a firepit table and be able to sit out long after sunset. Whereas, if you are looking for furniture for summer parties, you might consider bar sets or to keep drinks chilled with an ice bucket coffee table.’
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PICK THE RIGHT STYLE Consider how each piece of furniture will look in your garden, and try to avoid mixing styles. A modern set in a country garden might look visually jarring, so stick with designs that are sympathetic to your property and garden style. ‘A traditional house with a classically designed garden would suit 19th century or early-20th century antique garden furniture,’ adds Caryl Tincknell, founder of Violet Grey (violetgrey.co.uk). ‘A contemporary property and garden would be better suited to mid-century items. Try to get a real sense of the history of your garden and work in pieces from there.’
3 THINK ABOUT THE MATERIAL
Once you’ve decided on the type of furniture that works best for your lifestyle, then the next step is to consider the material that it’s made from.
■ METAL The most affordable garden furniture tends to be made of powder-coated steel. Steel is easily corroded when it comes into contact with water, so it’s protected from the outdoor elements with a powder-coated surface which acts as a protective paint barrier. This does work, but it means steel-based furniture is likely to have weak points at joints and fixings where moisture can penetrate and gradually form rust. For this reason, it’s generally recommended that steel-based rattan furniture is stored under cover during inclement weather.
Aluminium-framed furniture is by far the more durable option, as the metal itself forms a barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating the surface. This furniture can therefore be left outside all year, making it a super-low maintenance option. However, this does mean aluminium-based furniture tends to be by far the more expensive option.
■ RATTAN One of the most popular styles, rattan offers a timeless look that blends with most garden styles. However, most modern ‘rattan’ garden furniture is actually made of PE (Polyethylene) rattan or polyrattan. This is a polyurethane plastic that offers the benefits of being lightweight, waterproof, weather-resistant and low maintenance. Remember that rattan furniture has a metal frame, so whatever you choose will affect your budget, too.
WOOD You’ll find wooden outdoor furniture made from many types of timber, but when shopping for the most durable type, hardwoods are the best option. Teak is the hardwood most prized
for its strength and durability outdoors. As well as offering an extremely dense grain that prevents moisture from penetrating, teak retains high levels of natural oils once it is cut, which further helps to prevent the wood from weathering. You can top up the wood with teak oil to offer even more weather resistance, although you may want to allow the timber to weather over time to its signature soft silvery patina.
However, this dense grain is down to teak’s extremely slow-growing habit, and that slow growth, plus the difficulty of working with such a tough timber, makes it an expensive option.
Cheaper and faster-growing alternatives that are now becoming very popular include the hardwoods acacia and eucalyptus. These may be slightly less dense than teak but they are faster growing, allowing them to be grown and managed to yield greater quantities of wood more sustainably.
4 THE SIZE OF IT
It’s important not to choose an outdoor furniture set that’s too big for your space. Even if it just about fits your patio area, it may look cluttered and cramped. Aim for a design that takes up around two thirds of the entire area that you want to furnish. You need space for everyone to be comfortable, but also leave enough room so that guests can walk around with ease.
And, if space in your outdoor area is at a premium, then choose options that fold away to help you to maximise your square footage. Collapsible bistro-style sets or stackable chairs offer a smart and versatile solution.
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measure up to ensure the furniture fits your space
It’s an annoying fact of life that everything requires upkeep and maintenance to keep it in tip top shape. Always check with the manufacturer to see if they recommend that you move your furniture indoors when not in use.
Alternatively, you can see if they sell all-weather covers. ‘During periods of non-use, we suggest that furniture is covered to protect it,’ advises Tim from Bramblecrest. Amazon’s own brand Basics range offers universal covers, from £16 for an armchair.
‘If you are choosing a rattan set, it’s important to know whether the rattan contains PE and what the frame is made from, as this will affect its maintenance,’ notes Jonny Brierley, CEO of Moda Furnishings (modafurnishings.co.uk). ‘The best combination for weather resistance is PE rattan with powder-coated aluminium frames. PE rattan has wonderful weather resistance and powder-coated aluminium won’t rust.
‘Thanks to this, minimal maintenance is required, although any set will still need a clean from time to time, removing dirt and mildew,’ continues Jonny. ‘To do this, we recommend a brush or vacuum. For smaller awkward spaces where dirt is difficult to remove, we recommend something smaller like a toothbrush. Avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals and stick to diluted washing-up liquid.’