Americans are spending more and more money on outdoor renovations. They want a space to enjoy those long summer days with friends, family, and neighbors; a place where they can escape the usual four walls, get some fresh air, and soak up some sunshine. A few simple renovations, some high-quality furniture, and a little TLC are all you need to create the perfect outdoor space. If you’re looking to get started with outdoor furniture, take a look at this guide, as we cover everything you need to know.
The Types
Patio furniture is made from a variety of different materials, all of which have their own pros and cons. The material you choose will determine the cost, durability, comfort, weight, and more: Aluminum: Although it is sturdy, affordable, and lightweight, aluminum is not the most comfortable, can tip over in strong winds, and is prone to rust. The style won’t appeal to everyone, either. Plastic: Plastic is one of the most versatile options. It also delivers very high-quality furniture for a reasonable price. A lot of the furniture that we sell here at Seven Summers is made from poly lumber, which comes from recycled plastic. It’s strong, sturdy, weather-resistant, and eco-friendly. However, the same can’t be said for all plastic furniture and you need to do your research to make sure you’re getting something that is strong and durable. Wood: Wooden furniture is very versatile and stylish. It looks great next to a pool or in the middle of a lush and colorful garden. It’s not the easiest to maintain, though, and it can crack and rot under rain, heat, and cold. You can treat the wood to protect it, but these treatments need to be added every year or two. Synthetic Wicker: Synthetic fibers are wound together to create resin/synthetic wicker furniture. It’s not wicker, but it looks like wicker and benefits from being weather-resistant. It’s also lightweight and stylish. Most synthetic wicker features metal frames, making them strong and durable. Steel and Wrought Iron: If you’re looking for a more old-school aesthetic, steel and wrought iron are good options. These heavyweight materials are very strong and can be cast into a host of beautiful designs. However, they’re not very comfortable and will slowly degrade if they are exposed to rain. Fabrics also come in a variety of materials, including: Olefin: A synthetic material that can be woven into colorful and beautiful patterns. Acrylic: A versatile fabric that is resistant to mold and mildew and will maintain its bold color in wind, rain, or shine. Foam: There are multiple different types of foam, including open cell, closed cell, and PET. The one you choose will dictate how easy it is to clean and whether or not it is water, mold, and mildew resistant. Polyester: Some of the best outdoor fabrics are made from a base of polyester that is then coated in acrylic. It’s soft but durable, and the coating will protect it from the elements and make it easier to clean.
The Accessories
Your patio décor doesn’t end with the table and chairs. You need to think about the experience overall—picture those evening drinks, barbecues, and birthday parties and think about additional accessories. Some of the most common patio/garden features include: Firepit Grill Sunshades Patio Heater Storage Pizza Oven Wine Cooler
The Climate
Heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind can all damage your outdoor furniture. Before you buy, consider how the local climate will impact your furniture. In consistently hot climates, you should focus on light colors, as dark colors are more likely to trap the heat and fade. Look for materials that won’t hold all of that heat and consider installing an awning or umbrella to provide the furniture and your guests with some much-needed shade. If there is a lot of snow or strong winds, look for furniture that can be stored away before the weather gets bad. Some furniture types can be folded away, others are strong enough to stay rooted in place during aggressive storms, including benches and tables made from concrete and steel bases. When you don’t have storage space and live in a very wet climate, you should avoid wood and metal furniture and stick with plastic/synthetic materials made to withstand cold and wet temperatures, such as the ones we sell here at Seven Summers.
The Cost
You really do get what you pay for when it comes to patio furniture. Cheaper furniture might look the same and it’ll definitely serve a similar purpose, but if you cut corners now you will pay for it at a later date. Cheaper furniture is more likely to degrade during rain, wind, snow, sleet, and extreme heat. It will be less comfortable and more prone to mold, mildew, rotting, cracking, and fading. It also could capitulate as soon as your guest takes a seat—nothing ruins a birthday party quite like your Aunty Linda falling on her ass and spilling her Mac n Cheese everywhere. Good outdoor furniture is an investment. It will host hundreds of barbecues, dozens of parties, and stay durable and clean many years down the line. Cheap furniture, on the other hand, could be worthless after the first wet and windy winter.
The Placement
Do you have a patio or deck? Will you be placing your furniture on concrete, wood, or grass? How much space do you have and how many people are you expecting to host? All these things need to be considered before you buy. Check the dimensions of your outdoor furniture, compare them to the space that you have, and make sure you leave plenty of space for people to move around freely. You don’t want them tripping over chair legs, bumping into firepits, and knocking food and drinks off the table. Don’t overdo it, either. Just because you have lots of neighbors and friends, doesn’t mean you need to buy chairs for all of them. If only two or three people will be using the furniture on a regular basis, then a few chairs or a bench and a chair will suffice. In the event that more people show up for your evening gatherings, you can just collect some chairs from inside the house. Remember, it’s easy to upgrade, but it’s not easy to sell unused chairs or find storage room for them. So, if you only have space for a few people to begin with but your garden soon turns into a makeshift community center for everyone in your family and everyone on your street, you can just buy a few more pieces.
Maintenance and Care
A little care goes a long way with outdoor furniture. You can clean most types of wooden and synthetic furniture with a sponge and some soapy water. Give it a quick clean at least once every few weeks, especially during the winter and when the weather changes. It will remove dust and dirt, but it will also kill bacteria, mold, and mildew. If you have metal furniture, you can use a similar process, but you’ll also need a wire brush to remove the rust and ingrained dirt. Don’t scrub too hard or too much, especially if the furniture has been painted or treated, and make sure you follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. Don’t assume that the weather will do all of the work for you. A day of sunshine might help to dry out your furniture after a few days of heavy rain, but it won’t clean it and it won’t kill the bacteria that thrive in warm and wet conditions.
Don’t Forget the Small Stuff
Don’t sweat the small stuff, but don’t forget it, either! You don’t want to spend several thousand bucks on a new furniture set only to fall victim to one of the following issues: The Chair Legs Slip Through the Gaps in Your Deck: If you have decking, look for thick table and chair legs that don’t slip through the gaps. You don’t want to be constantly adjusting the chair for fear that you’ll slip through the gap. Keep the Furniture Away from Fire: A firepit is a great idea to keep you and your guests warm, but make sure it’s not too close to your furniture or fabrics. You could be going to great lengths to protect it from the sun, only for it to capitulate under the heat of the fire. Match Your Outdoor Décor: Think about how your furniture will match your outdoor décor, including the exterior of your house, flowerbeds, and patio. Consider What You Will Do When You Move: Heavy-duty furniture is easy to maintain and it won’t blow away, but if you’re renting your house, you will need to move it eventually. Think about the near future when you buy.
