I did all the wrong things with outdoor furniture when I firstly passed to live in my house seven years ago. I selected the cheapest set that I was able to buy in a big box store believing that the set should last at least a couple of seasons. The cushions were mouldy by the next spring, the metal frames rusted and the entire system looked like it was in a landfill. That costly experience allowed me to learn that the cost of good patio furniture is not only about appearance but also knowing the materials, maintenance, and how you are really going to utilize the outdoor area.
Know Your Spaces and Lifestyle
Do you even see furniture without giving your mind some thought of what you really are going to do with your patio? This came to my dismay when I purchased a colossal dining table capable of seating eight guests only to find that we hardly had time to invite people out to enjoy ourselves with them. We had 2 years on that table before I sold it.
Suppose you were thinking about your normal activities. Do you primarily drink your coffee in the patio in the morning? Cocktails in the evening with a pair of friends? Barbecues with long family? Sunday? Your blunt responses will define which set of dining items will be necessary, whether it will be a small conversation space, or even two comfortable lounge chairs.
Go ahead and measure your space, and really measure it. Get out space to walk and to draw out chairs form tables. One of my current rules is to have at least a three-foot space between the furniture pieces. Your patio must not be crowded but welcoming.
Material Matters More Than You think.
The substance you select will dictate the amount of maintenance that you will be committing to and the durability of your furniture. Both are tradeoffs in real sense and there is no ideal solution that suits all.
Teak and hardwoods are fantastic and exceptionally strong. There is a teak dining set of my neighbor which is twelve years old, and it is still amazing. The catch? It is costly at the beginning and in case you would like to keep that deep brown shine, you would have to oil it once in a year. When this is not treated, it acquires a silver- gray patina which many people adore, but not everyone.
Most of the pieces that I have preferred to use are aluminum furniture. It does not rust, it is lightweight such that it can be moved around and good quality powder coated aluminum can last decades. My sectional is made of aluminum and withstood five winters in the Midwest with little problems. This is only to avoid the cheapest possible ones–thick gauge aluminum that is welded (not bolted) at the joints.
The Cushion Conundrum
This is what the furniture stores never stress a lot: cushions are the key to your outdoor furniture experience. The ones who invite exhibit furniture in the showroom do so with cushions, which are likely to fail on the actual weather conditions.
I have now only purchased cushions that are marked as outdoor with solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella is most widely known, but there are other brands, too). These fabrics are resistant to fading, mildew as well as moisture unlike ordinary fabrics. Till now, I still transport my cushions indoors or keep them in a deck box when not in use particularly when I am asleep and during rainy seasons.
Quick-dry foam is also significant. Frequent foam retains water and it remains moist after several days, which provides ideal environments of molds. Quick-dry foam has openings through which water can drain out and air circulate. It is more expensive but I had to struggle with damp cushions during the first year and therefore I cannot negotiate.
Sustainability: The Unsexy Truth.
Not even such materials of outdoor furniture as they are sold to appear to be need no maintenance at all. I have designated one afternoon in the spring and one in the fall to the furniture care and it made a major difference in the duration.
In the case of most furniture, they can easily be washed using a little soap and water and that will avoid the accumulation of dirt which may lead to material deterioration over time. On rough surfaces, I apply a soft brush and wash everything. In the case of metal furniture, I check in advance with any damage on the finish and touch up points prior to rusting. Furniture made of wood is cleaned and oiled provided I want to preserve the color.
Coverings are valuable over furniture that is immovable to a large extent. I keep my dining table covered when it is winter and it has been in a great shape. All you have to do is to make sure that covers are breathable, non-breathable covers may trap moisture and be more harmful than beneficial.
The When-to-Splurge and When-to-Save Question.
Three years on, I have learned this lesson: spend the money on the items you are going to use most of all, but spend the money sparingly on accessories.
I also indulged in very comfortable lounge chairs since I sit on them almost every day when it is hot. They have been worth the nickel and the dime. But my side tables? They were cheap purchases, which I am not even concerned with replacing in the future.
The quality of frames is better than appearance. A beautiful composition, wittingly put, will not long satisfy you. I literally try shopping out by sitting in furniture, making it vibrate, bending over it. It should be clear that the construction should be solid.
Final Thoughts
The selection of outdoor patio furniture is not about the availability of the cheapest or even the most expensive. It is about and having the right materials and styles accordingly to your climate, use habits and readiness to maintain. The errors I made helped me to be a long-term thinker and focus on quality in the works that warrant the most attention.
Start with one or two quality pieces as opposed to a complete cheap set. You can always add more in the long run and you will be more satisfied with the furniture that really works and that works to your advantage.
FAQs
What is the life expectancy of outdoor furniture?
With proper maintenance, the quality outdoor furniture should be expected to perform 10-15 years. The lifetime of budget pieces is 3-5 years.
Is there any use of bringing cushions in?
For longevity, yes. Cushions that are outdoor rated are more likely to have a longer durability when care is taken to ensure that they are not constantly exposed to weather and also they should not be subjected to the overall exposure to moisture at night.
What is the most weather resistant material?
Wicker made of aluminum and high-quality resin handles weather the best with the least maintenance drills.
Should one purchase furniture covers?
Definitely, particularly when it is not easy to move items to the warehouse. Breathable covers of good quality are useful in increasing the life of the furniture.
Can the outdoor furniture remain out all the winter?
It is by how you dress and which weather. Aluminum and teak held up in the winter, wicker, and cushioned furniture can be moved up where possible.
