Garden furniture can make spending time outside a much more enjoyable experience, and can also be used for decorative purposes. Learn what to pay attention to when choosing garden furniture and how to look after it for many years to come.
Garden furniture can make spending time outside a much more enjoyable experience, and can also be used for decorative purposes. Learn what to pay attention to when choosing garden furniture and how to look after it for many years to come.
Modern garden furniture – what should you choose?
The term “garden furniture” is a broad concept. It can also be used on a terrace or balcony. So what garden furniture should you choose? A lot depends not only on the style you are looking for, but also the available space or intended use.
Although plastic chairs and tables are still very common, they have several significant disadvantages. They are not always stable, they tend to change colour with time and are easily damaged.
Modern garden furniture is more durable, comes in many different designs, and can be made from a wide range of materials.
The most common material for garden furniture is wood. Wooden garden furniture is stable and will last a long time, provided that you use appropriate wood protection. Wood also perfectly matches a beautiful green garden. An alternative to buying wooden garden furniture is making it yourself from wooden pallets.
Rattan and wicker garden furniture is light, and the natural material fits in well with the surroundings. However, they are not particularly resistant to sunlight or excessive moisture.
Polyrattan garden furniture has most of the advantages of rattan, but without the disadvantages. It is made of a plastic material imitating natural rattan. It’s very light, comes in interesting designs and is fully resistant to weather conditions.
Metal garden furniture is durable, will last for many years, and is also very easy to keep clean. It can be quite heavy though, which can be an issue if you want to move your furniture around frequently. On the other hand, a big advantage is it’s stability – it won’t fall over or be blown away in heavy wind.
When choosing garden furniture, pay attention to the size. If you have limited space, large armchairs and a big table may not be very convenient. Also think about the shape. For example, in small spaces, a square Uniprodo balcony table would be ideal, as the design lets you push it against a wall. It’s perfect not only for your balcony, but could also be a practical choice in places like cafes.
Make sure you choose appropriate chairs or armchairs. If you intend to use them only outdoors, you can go for larger, more comfortable ones. However, if you have less space or need an extra chair at home from time to time, then a metal bar stool may be a good idea, as it will work well both outside and in your home.
Ex-display garden furniture – when is it a good idea?
If you are on a limited budget, ex-display garden furniture could be a good option. What are the pros and cons?
Garden furniture on display was previously unpacked and made available to potential buyers for testing. It could also have been displayed outside, so it might be in slightly worse condition than brand new garden furniture.
Having said that, despite scratches or minor damage, it can still be an attractive alternative. Most importantly, make sure that any potential damage is not significant, all mechanisms work, and that the tables and chairs are stable.
If you are looking for ex-display garden furniture, you probably stand bigger chances at the end of the summer season, as this is when most shops will be selling out their current supplies.
An advantage of this option is that you can often find a complete, matching set. The lower price will also be an advantage, although you should not forget about the potentially lower quality compared to new garden furniture.
Second-hand garden furniture – what should you pay attention to?
Choosing used garden furniture is a similar concept to buying ex-display furniture. You should be aware that it will not necessarily be in as good condition as when it was new. On the other hand, it will probably be much cheaper. On top of that, you might come across something original and unique, which, after renovation, could become the perfect decoration on your terrace.
When choosing second-hand garden furniture, pay attention to the basic technical aspects. Wooden chairs or tables should not be rotten, and metal ones should not be covered with rust, unless it is easily removable.
Make sure that the mechanisms work well enough to let you e.g. fold and unfold them. The legs should also be in good enough condition to ensure that the furniture is stable. Also check the seats. In older furniture they can be heavily used and uncomfortable. On the other hand, any minor faults related to comfort can be covered up, for example by using seat cushions and pads for slightly wobbly legs.
Garden furniture for children
Your terrace or garden can be a great playground for children. Try to make sure that any children’s furniture is not only fun, but also safe. Standard garden furniture is designed primarily for adults, and not for playing with. Therefore, choosing children’s furniture is a good idea.
What should you look out for? First of all, the furniture should be appropriate for the children’s height and age group. Children’s furniture must also be stable. The chairs shouldn’t be too high, so that small children do not have to climb onto them, and the table top should be at elbow hight, not at their neck. However, since children grow very quickly, buying slightly too big furniture is worth considering. This way it will last for more than one season.
Another aspect is the design, which has a big impact on their safety. Garden furniture for children should have rounded shapes and as few sharp edges as possible. The material used and its texture are also important. Rattan or wicker may be more difficult to clean compared to plastic or wood, which is important in the case of children. In addition, such tables will not have a smooth tabletop, which will make activities like drawing difficult.
Pouffes can be a good alternative to garden furniture for children. Their height is suitable for small children, and they can also serve as leg support or an extra seat for adults.
How to protect garden furniture
Garden furniture is exposed to weather conditions and UV radiation. If you don’t look after it, it can rot, rust or lose colour, depending on the type of material.
How should you protect garden furniture? A good idea is to impregnate wooden chairs and tables at the beginning of each season. First, wash the furniture thoroughly and let it dry. Then cover it with a layer of protective oil or varnish, using a brush. This will make the wood not only more resistant to rain or temperature changes, but also easier for you to remove dirt from during use.
Check metal garden furniture regularly for rust. If you notice any, use steel wool to get rid of it. The next step is to paint the cleaned bit of metal, preferably using paint with an anti-corrosion additive.
If you have rattan garden furniture, you can protect it with wood polish. In case of wicker, use varnish or special wicker paint.
What else should you remember? If your garden furniture has metal supports or hinges, these elements may also require maintenance. Try to lubricate them regularly and check them for rust.
Fabric is another thing to remember about. Even in the summer season, it is better to keep pillows inside overnight, or cover them for the night. Otherwise they may become moist, which in turn could lead to moulding. On the other hand, if you leave cushions and backrests in the sun for too long, the colour of the fabric may start to fade.
How should you protect garden furniture in winter? Ideally you should store it in a garage or garden shed. However, remember that wooden garden furniture should not be stored in too warm conditions. Otherwise, the material may dry and shrink, affecting the quality.
If you don’t have space to store garden furniture indoors, then waterproof covers are a good idea. A cheaper alternative could be to use other material or plastic rubbish bags, which you can attach using rubber bands.
How to clean garden furniture
Cleaning your garden furniture is as important as seasonal maintenance. Apart from weather conditions, furniture may be exposed to insects, bacteria and fungi.
How should you clean garden furniture? You can clean wooden garden furniture in the same way as you would your furniture at home, for example using a cleaning spray or water. You can also use a special spray intended for cleaning wooden garden furniture. Make sure the cloth you use is not too damp.
Cast iron or aluminium furniture should be cleaned with water and detergent. You can do the same with rattan. Alternatively you can use a mixture of water, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice.
To wash wicker, use water with soap or a mixture of a litre of warm water and two teaspoons of baking soda. A nylon brush will also come in useful.
In the case of wicker and rattan, just as in the case of wood, the cleaned furniture should not be wet. Otherwise this could lead to deformation.
Summary
Choosing what garden furniture to buy is largely up to you, and you should take into account the practical features of each type. For example, light wicker furniture will not be ideal if it is often windy in your terrace or garden, as the furniture will constantly move around. Regardless of the material you choose, remember to look after it properly. Thoroughly cleaning and protecting your furniture before each season will let you enjoy using it for many years to come.
Check out our next post if you’re thinking of creating a balcony garden.
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