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Choosing
garden furniture
Increasingly the garden is becoming known as the outside
room, an area to relax and entertain friends. When it comes to buying furniture
for the garden, think about the colours and styles that appeal to you and consider
the overall look you would like to achieve – just as you would for any other
room in the home. Before you buy, consider your budget, how many people will be
using the furniture and what purpose the furniture will be used for. With so many
different styles of furniture now available at affordable prices you’re sure
to find a style you love.
Budget
Decide on a price range
and budget. When considering this, you will also need to take into account the
durability of the furniture you intend to buy and whether you have anywhere to
store it. Solid wood will provide years of use, whereas plastic chairs may only
last one season. Consider the practicalities of storing expensive garden furniture,
and also the time and money you will need to spend to keep it looking good, it
is often worth considering buying inexpensive garden furniture for special events
such as parties. These items will often be available in the trendiest colours
and styles of the moment, and as they are designed to last for just one season
you won’t have to worry about whether you will still love bright yellow next
year!
A sense of purpose
How many people will be using
the furniture? Would it be better to buy one large table, or would two smaller
tables offer more flexibility? Many of our tables fold neatly in half, some come
with removable lazy susan’s, while others have the option of adding additional
extensions to make the table larger. Consider seating for children, would they
like an area just for them? Apart from seating and tables, will you need any other
items such as parasols or gazebos for creating shade? In terms of style and colour,
will the furniture look harmonious in its setting? Consider the colour of the
outside of your house, the style of existing furniture within the home and also
the dimensions of the furniture you wish to buy. A small garden may lose its sense
of intimacy and start to look overcrowded with too much furniture, whereas a spacious
garden will look at its best with a number of large items.
Storage
How will you store your furniture when it’s not in use? If you
do not want to leave your furniture outside all year round, consider buying items
that fold or can be taken apart into separate pieces. A flat folding table and
stackable chairs are ideal if space is in short supply. If you have to leave items
in the garden all year, protect them from the elements with specially designed
covers available for a range of items, including chairs, benches, tables, barbecues,
patio heaters and gazebos.
Materials
Pine
Untreated pine
is a popular, inexpensive material and looks attractive. Pine furniture will often
arrive flat-packed and ready to be assembled. Pine is lightweight and easy to
lift and move around the garden as required. One of the main advantages of pine
is that it can be stained to the exact colour desired. You will need to treat
with wood preserver before use and finish with varnish. Pine furniture will need
to be stored during the winter as it is not durable enough to be left outside
all year. Look for FSC certified wood, which means the wood used comes from well-managed
forests, independently certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship
Council.
Hardwood
Hardwood furniture is durable and available
in a range of classic styles. Many hardwood items of furniture can be left in
the garden all year round and with care, hardwood furniture will last for years.
Before using, wipe with a clean dry cloth, and apply teak oil and rub the finish
lightly with a soft cloth to obtain a shinier look. At the end of the season re-apply
teak oil and keep the furniture shaded, covered or re-pack for storage during
the winter months. Hardwood furniture is a good option if children are around
as it will not scratch easily or fall over in a sudden gust of wind. As with pine
furniture, look for environmentally friendly FSC certified wood.
Aluminium
Aluminium has the advantage of being lightweight, and rustproof.
Many modern furniture designs are cast in aluminium, giving your garden an up-to-the-minute
look. Cast aluminium is extremely durable, making it able to withstand adverse
weather conditions.
Iron
A durable material, the heavy
weight of iron means that you don’t have to worry about it blowing away!
For comfort, iron furniture will require cushioned seating. To keep iron looking
good, apply an anti-rust treatment and repaint any weathered areas as and when
required.
Steel
An affordable option, steel is lighter
than iron, but not as lightweight as aluminium. Available in a range of styles,
the pliability of steel makes it an ideal material for many modern designs. Many
designs are available with different finishes such as brushed or ridged patterns.
Plastic/Resin
A great inexpensive option, plastic is
especially good for use in the garden as it is lightweight, easy to wipe clean
and durable. Plastic furniture is available in a multitude of colours and is easy
to store, as most styles can be stacked when not in use. Plastic is the ideal
choice for children as the bright colours are fun, and it is also easy to keep
clean.
Styles
With so many styles of garden furniture
available from ultra-modern to rustic, the choice of style is one of personal
preference. Take your time looking at the range of styles available before making
a final decision.
Tables
Tables are essential for dining
alfresco, or simply enjoying a refreshing drink. Options for entertaining large
groups include dining tables able to seat up to eight people and picnic tables,
which incorporate seating as part of the design. Smaller tables save space and
provide intimate dining for two, while handy occasional or side tables make it
easy to cater for unexpected guests! Weight will be a prime consideration if you
plan to move the table around, many larger tables fold for easy storage. When
choosing a table, look for a hole for a parasol. Is there an option to change
the height of the table? Are there any additional extensions, making the table
larger if desired? A table with adjustable feet will offer maximum stability.
Chairs, sunloungers and benches
There are numerous seating
options for the garden including chairs, garden benches and sunloungers. When
selecting chairs, you will need to choose between cushion or ‘sling/strap’
styles. Cushion style seats have a foundation that can accommodate upholstered
pads, providing extra comfort as well as an easy and inexpensive way to change
the look of your furniture. Many sunloungers feature cushioned pads, which give
a real sense of luxury. Look for a multi-position backrest – many models
will offer up to seven different settings. Check that the material used for cushions
is flame retardant.
Sling seats, usually incorporating strong canvas, can
be used without cushions, and have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive
and easy to maintain. Favourites include the classic deckchair and the director’s
chair, which can double up as an indoor dining chair.
The garden bench is
a timeless classic, providing a permanent resting place to sit and ponder. Hardwood
or iron benches will give a touch of style to your garden and last for many years.
When choosing any form of seating, test the comfort of the chair before you buy
– are you happy with the height of the chair back? Look for a sturdy design,
and metal fittings which will give extra strength.
Gazebos
Popular as a shelter for parties or seating outdoors, a gazebo will provide
shelter from sun or rain. Available in a range of sizes, many gazebos are portable,
making it easy to move around the garden as the sun changes direction. If you
plan to use your gazebo throughout the year, look for a plastic woven canopy coated
with Polyamide as this will help repel light showers and is easy to keep clean.
A sun canopy made from canvas and coated with polyamide will help repel light
showers, and is resistant to stains. Side panels are available to attach to many
frames, giving greater privacy and protection from the elements. To increase light,
look out for side panels featuring a window and choose a light coloured canopy
rather than a darker shade. For a truly magical evening, why not create the illusion
a starry night with the addition of gazebo lights
Accessories
Finally, don’t forget to have fun accessorizing your garden furniture
– Homebase have a great selection of co-ordinating cushions for wooden, plastic
and metal furniture, complete with matching parasols. Always check that cushions
are easy to wash and filled with combustion modified, high resilience foam. When
choosing a parasol, look for ball and socket tilt action, adjustable height, durable
fabric, an easy to open umbrella and a solid base. For durability, choose a model
with a hardwood pole. Choose a heavy base for maximum stability; a cast iron base
will not be easily blown away and many plastic bases can be filled with water
or sand for added stability. Complete the outdoor experience with new tablecloths,
place mats, and dining crockery – there’s a great range of pretty plastic
dining sets to choose from at Homebase, perfect for barbecues and entertaining
the kids! Feature:
Karen O'Grady
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