Your choice of garden furniture is important, as you’re probably going to spend a lot of time on it, relaxing during the hot summer days. So, you’re probably looking for comfortable styles and fabrics, while still keeping in mind the maintenance need of the furniture.
In order to make a good choice, you have to be well-acquainted with the types of outdoor furniture. To help you make the right choice for your garden, we are going to discuss the most common and most adequate garden furniture materials and the things that you should bear in mind when buying.
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Concrete Garden Furniture
A lot of parks these days have concrete benches and seating arrangements. In fact, this is something that is starting to seep into the residential design too with things like concrete tables and chairs being put into backyards, gardens and patios. You can find various pieces of concrete garden furniture, including different shapes of concrete dining tables, benches, different shapes and sizes of sofas, desks, and much more. Even though concrete may sound pretty uncomfortable, if it is made correctly it can be totally the opposite. Plus, there’s always the option of adding some extra cushions or blankets to the seating and give it that extra comfort.
Concrete is a stunning material for outdoor furniture. It brings a unique sense of style to your outside space. Also, it complements wicker and teak furniture well, allowing you to create a tasteful mix-and-match setup. So, if you are looking for simple decor ideas to beautify your outdoor space , you can never go wrong with a concrete furniture item. Outdoor concrete furniture adds a contemporary feel to any outdoor living space.
Some of the defining factors of concrete garden furniture are the durability and ability to brave any harsh and diverse weather. When compared to other outdoor furniture types, concrete furniture is much more affordable.
Plus, it is often custom made, meaning that this type of furniture item can be crafted to any shape, size dimension and design that you want and fits best to your place. This is thanks to the fact that concrete is mainly composed of water, sand and cement. Due to the upgraded setting procedures, it’s pretty easy now to manufacture a modern shaped furnishing product. There are also many finish options for this type of furniture, allowing you to personalise your items with different attractive colour finishes.
Concrete garden furniture can last for many years if it is maintained properly. It requires very low maintenance. A good way of keeping it clean is by spraying it with water and a household spray.
Wooden Garden Furniture
Wooden furniture is by far the most complimenting type of outdoor furniture and it gives a comfortable feeling to any outdoor space. Its raw natural look fits great with any garden setting. However, it requires treatment with preservative on a regular basis, and refinishing every two years minimum if you want to maintain the colour and the protective finish.
In order to avoid things like splitting, rotting, and bugs, it’s important to choose a good type of wood. So, what are the best woods for outdoor furniture? Well, these are usually sturdy and weather-resistant hardwoods like teak, cedar, cypress and redwood. But even though these woods are durable, it’s important to take good care of your furniture setting. It’s advisable to clean your wooden furniture with a soft brush and with a solution of water and soap. Hose down well and then dry it with towels.
Wrought Iron
If you want to go for a classic, sturdy and rich look, go for wrought iron outdoor furniture. This type of garden furniture is strong, durable, heavy and it doesn’t need to be stored inside when the season is unfavourable for outdoor seating. As it is heavy, you don’t have to worry about it blowing away (in case you live in an area of high winds).
There is a diverse range of styles, designs and colours of wrought iron furniture, so you will surely find something that will fit your style and your preferences. However, bear in mind that you can’t really move it around a lot as it is heavy. Plus, it will leave marks if dragged across the deck.
The paint of wrought iron can easily chip, so you will need to paint it every now and then. To keep it clean, just wipe it down with a damp cloth. In case some deeper cleaning is necessary, wipe down with a solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water, and then rinse.
Plastic Garden Furniture
Plastic garden furniture is lightweight and affordable. However, if it’s exposed to direct sunlight, it will fade and lose its shine over time. With plastic furniture, you don’t need any additional cushions for comfort, as with all the previously mentioned types of furniture.
Wondering what is the best way to clean plastic outdoor furniture? It’s quite easy. Just make your own mild cleanser by mixing ½ cup baking soda or 3 tablespoons dishwasher detergent with 3.5L warm water. You can also sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge to create a mild abrasive which will peel away stubborn stains but won’t scratch the surface. Patio furniture that is created from recycled plastics is ideal for those living in a saltwater environment.
Final Thoughts
As almost all (all except the plastic) of the mentioned types of outdoor garden furniture require cushions for comfort, whenever you get bored with the furniture, you can just simply change up the cushions. New cushions can provide you with a completely new look of your outdoor area. In addition, you can also use accessories to create a picture-perfect outdoor space.