How to choose the best outdoor furniture for your garden

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If you’re planning a garden redesign this year, or just thinking about replacing outdoor furniture for your garden, now’s the time to start the shopping process.

Updating your outdoor furniture is a great project for spring. Make a choice now and you can have your lovely new furniture delivered in time for summer, which allows you to make the most of it straight away.

When it comes to selecting outdoor furniture for your garden, there are a few things to consider. Obviously style is a key factor, but you should also consider elements such as durability and practicality. Let’s take a look at some key areas to keep in mind during the selection process.

Materials for outdoor furniture

Garden furniture needs to be able to stand up to the elements. Harsh overhead sunlight, changing temperatures and high levels of humidity can cause low-quality items to quickly develop faults. This is why sturdy materials that are fit for purpose will always be the best option.

It’s a good idea to choose outdoor chairs that have been engineered from specific materials. These include:

• Rope and rattan
• Acacia, teak or bamboo
• PVC and uPVC
• Powder-coated aluminium

Not only are these materials built to last, but they are also lightweight, which makes it easy to move the furniture around. Wood is a great option if you’re going for a more natural look, while metal works well in contemporary garden designs.

Price

Price is a key factor in choosing outdoor furniture for your garden. While it may be tempting to spend less, remember that quality is directly impacted by cost. If you’d like your outdoor furniture to last a number of years, it’s wise to spend a little bit more.

Maintenance

Consider also just how much maintenance you’re prepared to carry out on your outdoor furniture. Wooden furniture will require regular treatment with a preservative or stain to keep it looking good and protect it from the elements. Metal furniture is much lower maintenance, and can also be quicker and easier to clean. If you don’t have much time to dedicate to garden maintenance, choose your materials accordingly.

Consider adding a sun lounger

One of the many reasons why we love spending time in our gardens is the sense of calm and tranquility they offer. You can take advantage of this by adding one or more sun loungers to your outdoor furniture. These can be placed on patios, next to a pool, or directly beneath a shady area once temperatures begin to rise. Many outdoor furniture ranges now include sun loungers, so it’s not hard to find the perfect option for your outdoor space.

As we’ve already mentioned, cost is a key factor when choosing sun loungers, and it’s worth aiming slightly higher than the budget option if you’d like them to last. Another key consideration should be ergonomics. Are you looking for solid support, or do you prefer more flexible fabrics such as Textilene? Can the lounger be adjusted in order to suit your specific needs? And finally, would you like additional accessories such as an overhead shade, armrests, wheels, or a design that folds away? Consider all these factors before making your final choice.

Choosing the best garden furniture for your home doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Keep these suggestions in mind while shopping, and you’ll be well on the way to finding the perfect product for your budget and your outdoor space.

What features are top of your list when it comes to outdoor furniture?