In order for the garden to look cozy and be comfortable to stay in, it is essential to have suitable garden furniture and accessories. Read on to find out how to choose the most suitable furniture for your garden!
Essential aspect - material of the furniture and proper maintenance
Being exposed to the elements, garden furniture is subject to various unfavorable factors that can affect its appearance and functionality. For example, water can cause unsuitable wooden furniture to warp, while metal parts can rust, and UV rays can cause plastic or fabric furniture to fade, and wood to start splitting. For this reason, the material of garden furniture is a very important factor. Let's get acquainted with the most common ones!
Wooden furniture
Thanks to the natural look of wooden furniture, it will fit in almost any garden, but to ensure its longevity, it is important to choose suitable wood furniture. The most suitable is hardwood, such as teak, which contains a lot of natural oils, making it durable and perfect for making garden furniture. Acacia (used to make boats) or bamboo are also suitable materials, as they do not shrink or swell, are water-resistant and heat-resistant, so you don't have to worry about hot teapots or other utensils damaging them.
To prolong the life of wooden furniture, it is important to take proper care of it, such as sanding and oiling it once a year; how to care for each piece of furniture can usually be found in the specific product specifications. Another advantage of wooden furniture is its relatively large weight, so you don't have to worry about it being blown over by the wind. If there is a wooden floor covering on the terrace, it is also important to pay attention to the color tones of the furniture to create a harmonious ensemble.
Plastic and rattan furniture
Plastic furniture has a number of advantages - they are lightweight and easy to move (although they can be blown over in strong winds), they are relatively inexpensive and very easy to maintain. Plastic furniture is also slightly affected by weather conditions - mainly due to UV rays, they may fade over time. When purchasing plastic furniture, it is important to pay attention to its maximum load capacity.
When cleaning plastic furniture, it is recommended to use cleaning agents specifically designed for this purpose to avoid damaging the furniture surface. Care should be taken that the design of plastic wicker furniture makes it more elegant, but its maintenance is slightly more complicated than that of solid plastic furniture.
Metal furniture
Metal furniture will fit in almost any garden - they are available in a wide range, and they are stable and relatively resistant to external factors. The biggest enemy of metal furniture is water, but practically all garden furniture made of metal is treated with powder coating or other solutions to prevent rust and color fading. A large part of the furniture is made of aluminum; this material is lightweight and durable, and practically rust-free. When purchasing aluminum furniture (especially chairs), it is important to note that aluminum absorbs heat, so it is recommended to also purchase chair cushions or pads for added comfort.Steel furniture is much heavier, so it is more suitable if chairs and tables will not be regularly moved. Steel furniture is practically always treated with aluminum or other coatings to protect it from rust, but if the coating starts to peel, it is important to immediately inspect the coating layer to prevent corrosion.
Maintenance of metal furniture is quite simple - unless otherwise specified in the product instructions, they should be periodically wiped with a dry cloth, then washed with warm water and suitable cleaning agents.
What purpose will the garden furniture be used for?
Before purchasing furniture, it is very important to answer this question as accurately as possible. There can be various scenarios:
Regular relaxation with friends and family - in this case, a large and stable garden table is essential, with enough space for everyone, as well as for food and drinks. The table surface is also important - it is recommended to choose a smooth one, as it will be easier to clean. Sufficient quantity of garden chairs is also necessary, and it is advisable to purchase at least one spare chair - if the same chair is later sought, there may be a situation where it is no longer available in the store. A garden bar can also be useful;
Sunbathing and lazy relaxation - for this purpose, garden sofas, rocking chairs, hammocks, and sun loungers are more suitable. However, it is important to understand whether the furniture will be in one place all the time or if it is planned to be regularly moved. In the latter case, it is advisable to look for lighter furniture;
Enjoying a cup of coffee - for this purpose, a small table and a comfortable chair are more suitable. If the table is planned to be placed in direct sunlight, it is worth considering the purchase of a sunshade - this way, it will be possible to take shelter from the hot sun rays, and there will be no need to worry about the furniture fading.
Undoubtedly, the design and appearance of the furniture are also important, but the priority should be its quality and functionality - a comfortable and easy-to-clean chair will surpass a visually expressive but impractical piece of furniture.
Furniture size
In order for garden furniture to look appropriate and fulfill its functions properly, special attention should be paid to its size.
Firstly, it is important that the chairs are suitable for the size of the table - otherwise, sitting at the table will be uncomfortable. The simplest solution is to purchase a furniture set - the chair size in it is suitable for the table. If children also regularly stay in the garden, it is advisable to purchase garden furniture specifically designed for children.
Secondly, garden furniture should be chosen in the appropriate size to be comfortable and practical to use. For example, to be able to easily access the garden table and sit at it, the distance between the table and the nearest object should be at least one meter. If the space where the table will be placed is quite limited (a small garden corner, terrace, or balcony), a round table is a more suitable solution. However, it is also important not to go to the other extreme - choosing furniture that is too large will not be comfortable and cozy to use.
Thirdly, before purchasing furniture, it is worth considering its storage. Although most garden furniture is suitable for being stored outdoors throughout the year, its lifespan will definitely be longer if it is stored indoors or at least under a roof during the winter and autumn months. Additionally, if no one stays on the premises permanently and it is not equipped with various security elements, there is a risk of theft. Therefore, if you have decided to store the furniture under a roof or indoors during the cold and rainy months of the year, make sure there is enough space for it. If storage space is limited, folding garden furniture is a very good solution - it not only takes up little space but also stands out with its light weight, making it easy to move. A lot of space can be saved by choosing folding garden chairs (or chairs that can be stacked on top of each other).
Accessories significantly facilitate life
Although the term garden furniture mainly refers to garden tables, chairs, benches, sofas, and hammocks, this category also includes several other furniture and accessories:
Garden shelters - garden shelters can provide shelter from adverse weather conditions (rain, strong wind, and direct sunlight). However, attention should be paid to the specifications of the shelter - whether it is suitable for use in rain and strong winds, whether the shelter also has walls, and whether they are included in the package;
Parasols- under a parasol, you can take shelter from direct sunlight and also protect the furniture from fading. Pay special attention to the size of the parasol - it will determine whether it is easy to install and use, and whether there is a sufficiently large sun-untouched area beneath it;
Sun loungers - these chairs allow you to lie down, making them perfect for sunbathing, reading a book, or simply relaxing. If sun loungers are intended to be frequently moved or taken to the beach, choose a model that can be folded and is lightweight;
Garden boxes - these boxes are great for storing garden tools. Some garden boxes are designed as two-in-one, i.e., the box is combined with a bench. This solution can be useful for storing blankets, covers, cushions, and chair pads under the bench;
Garden bars - as the name suggests, this furniture serves as a bar - it is intended to store dishes, drinks, food products, and kitchen utensils. The garden bar surface is convenient to use for preparing meals or cocktails;
Garden shelves - various items, such as flower pots or dishes, can be placed on garden shelves, and the items on the shelf will be easily accessible. However, keep in mind that the items on the shelves will not be protected from the weather;
Flower pots and boxes - to make the garden look more attractive, flowers are essential. Flower boxes and pots that match the overall theme of the garden will look especially elegant;
Reed and bamboo fences - they not only look good but also can protect against gusts of wind and can separate a specific area from prying eyes. When choosing this type of fence, pay attention to its length and height, as well as whether the fence is waterproof;
Gas heaters for terraces - even in our latitudes, summer nights can be quite chilly, so a gas heater is a much more convenient solution than a bonfire.
In addition to the garden furniture and accessories listed above, terrace tiles, available in various tones and designs, add elegance and practicality to the garden.
No matter what garden furniture you need, find it at PROF.LV - the No.1 building materials e-shop and warehouse in Latvia!
