Monday, January 25, 2010

Is It Time to Replace Your Outdoor Furniture

My wife and I embarked on a journey recently to replace the furniture on our patio. When we started looking into this project we found several options in different styles, colors and materials. While we chose a nice set of outdoor wicker furniture and am quite pleased with it, I am sure we failed to consider all the things that we should have before making our selection. I came across this article on the subject and thought I would share it with you. I would like to thank the author for allowing me to reprint it here.

Important Advice in Choosing Outdoor Furniture


Selecting an outdoor furniture is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Garden and patio furniture can spell the difference between a good garden lounging experience or a lousy one. And since gardens are considered to be mostly a haven of relaxation, a place where you can unwind with nature and with family, the importance of selecting the right furniture to enhance both look and experience cannot be stressed to highly enough. With all the available choices then, how do you pick the right outdoor furniture?



First and foremost, it is important to keep your theme in mind when choosing your furniture. Colors and designs can be points of consideration. In the same way, it should also match other existing outdoor furniture and fit your personal plans. If you are after comfort than aesthetics, you may want to go for a chaise lounge rather than straight, rigid chairs. Similarly, if you are planning to entertain guests in the garden, having a small bar set and tables with matching seats would be more appropriate.



Choosing furniture is not just about what you want. Its also about available space. A long wicker seat will not only cramp a small patio but may even make it look unsightly. If you have limited space, settle for slim or compact furniture. A tall round table for example with high stools would fit well on a small patio.



Of course, durability is another point you need to consider. Remember that your outdoor furniture will be exposed to the elements. The most durable materials include wrought iron. If you want to steer clear of the quaint rustic look and prefer the earthy appeal of treated wood or contemporary look of aluminum or plastic, these materials are also great options. In some cases, you may want to get matching umbrellas or covers for these furniture.



You will need to have an even more durable piece if you live in an area that changes seasons. Imagine how it will be like for the outdoors during winter. To address the problem, you can, of course, move your patio and outdoor furniture inside during the winter season. If you have no extra space where you can move them to during cold days, you might as well not buy any outdoor furniture at all since they will not be able to last for long in cold weather anyway. Unless you have other ways of preserving them, you will just be wasting your money keeping them for one season and losing them in the next.



Outdoor furniture, regardless of their material do not come cheap for most people. Spending on outdoor comfort and fun may not always seem like a practical thing to do. But then again, there are always other affordable ways of furnishing your garden. Some of these options can include bargain or second hand furniture. A downside to this option is that you can never tell if the quality of the furniture is good. In such case, you can wait for brand new items to go on sale during special holidays and seasons.



When buying pieces of furniture whether for outdoor or indoor use, it is important to trust only reliable companies. You may want to do some research on company reputation online or with the Better Business Bureau. It would also be helpful to read customer reviews and feedback in independent review sites.



The right outdoor furniture can add a fresh twist to any plain-looking garden. The most important thing to remember though is that it should be able to provide you with utmost comfort and relaxation.
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About the Author
See the best garden furniture cushions online. Learn about the latest on wicker furniture cushions, outdoor seat cushions, patio furniture cushions, and lawn furniture cushions.
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