OUTDOOR LIVING FURNITURE

There are many variations in outdoor living furniture including bistro sets, great for small spaces, dining sets, from the very casual to the most elegant, or conversation sets, where you can relax with friends and family.

Before purchasing outdoor living furniture there are several considerations to think about in order to make the best choice.

Style
A patio or backyard can be considered as an extension of the home so you may want to carry style of the furnishings in the house through to the outdoor living furniture, for example this may be casual, traditional or modern. The style of the outdoor living furniture will also depend on how you will use your space. Do you plan to use it as an informal family dining area or do you have a lot of dinner parties? Maybe the space is going to be used for a cozy conversation area or as a quiet place to relax and read a good book.

Space
The amount of space available may very well dictate the kind of outdoor living furniture that you can purchase. Make sure that the area is large enough to accommodate the pieces that you want with enough room to move around when people are seated.

Material
Outdoor living furniture comes in a range of materials including wood, aluminum, plastic, wrought iron and wicker. When making your choice some of the points to think about are durability, comfort, looks and whether the situation will be exposed to the elements. Let’s have a look at these in turn

• Wood Wooden outdoor living furniture looks very attractive in any situation, but especially in a country style setting although it can tend to be a bit hard for sitting on without the addition of cushions. It may not stand up to extreme weather conditions; cedar in particular may not be very durable in rainy climates so it would be a good idea to store it indoors over winter. The most common types of wood used are cedar, teak, redwood and cypress. Teak is a very good choice as it is resistant to termites and has natural oils to provide a smooth, splinter free finish for many years.

• Aluminum Aluminum offers beauty and durability in all weathers. You are able to have scroll work on chair backs and legs as well as table tops much like wrought iron so will fit well into a Victorian setting. Aluminum patio sets are lighter than wood or iron therefore easy to move if you want a change of scene. They are easy to clean with a hose and rag, won’t fade, chip or rust and require very little maintenance.

• Plastic Plastic is lightweight and comfortable but not very durable if not well cared for.

• Wrought Iron A wrought iron setting will be very durable but can be uncomfortable because of the hardness. It will be heavy to move but at least you will have no problems if you live in a windy area. Its color and appearance can be maintained through all weather conditions as long as the coating is not damaged or scratched. It is the most expensive kind of outdoor living furniture but is a timeless classic that looks good anywhere.

• Wicker Wicker outdoor living furniture can be made from natural materials (e.g. bamboo, rattan) or synthetic (e.g. resin). Anything made of resin will hold up better to the sun and rain and will be easy to clean with a hose and cloth. Natural materials are susceptible to cracking but can last for years if looked after carefully. It is sturdy enough for an active family and lightweight so it can easily be moved around your yard. It would go well in a casual or romantic setting.