Tag: outdoor furniture
Outdoor Furnishings
As we start my favorite season of the year and total summer bliss begins, remember that the exterior of your home is one of the most important spaces.
Happy summer! As we start my favorite season of the year and total summer bliss begins, remember that the exterior of your home is one of the most important spaces. When making outdoor furniture selections, it’s always best to prepare in the winter and early spring months while the chill is still in the air. We have been installing so many exterior spaces in the past few weeks and the components have been mostly modular. These are great since you can configure the pieces in so many different ways, making the most of your exterior layout.
This year, I’m seeing a lot of comfortable pieces like daybeds, swings, and rockers in a mix of materials. So many companies came out with total eye candy – it can be hard to pare down selections when there are so many great choices. Rockers are big this year, particularly comfortable, modern rocking chairs.
I also like in incorporate outdoor lamps to bring an unexpected element and encourage the idea of bringing the inside out. Heaters are another great addition to an exterior. They look whimsical but have a purpose and really do a lot to extend the use of your outdoor space.
There are so many possibilities with the different lines of outdoor furnishings. Pieces can be customized with a range of materials, finishes, and fabrics. How would you design your ideal backyard retreat and a true extension of your home’s interior?
Outdoor Furniture Options
Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs.
Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs. One important factor to take into consideration is the material the furniture is constructed from. Whether you prefer teak, aluminum, or wicker depends not only on aesthetics, but also how much time and maintenance you plan to invest in caring for your outdoor pieces.
Teak is a beautiful and popular choice. New teak furniture has a lovely honey color and is very durable. It’s also a rather forgiving hardwood, easy to treat for minor scratches and stains. Some homeowners prefer the grayed look of weathered teak as it ages, while others are willing to clean and seal their outdoor teak furniture each year in order to maintain its original color.
Like teak, wicker is a great natural choice for outdoor furniture. You can go with real wicker or, for easier maintenance, a resin designed to look like wicker. Resin is a good option for homeowners looking for easy maintenance or longevity in an area where the weather can be harsh. Either way, the look of wicker has long been a popular choice for outdoor furniture.
Another choice for ease of care is aluminum furniture. With so many color options available for powder coated aluminum, this is a great choice for customizing furniture as well. Outdoor aluminum furniture is also easy to clean without worries of fading, rusting, or wear.
I also like unconventional choices for outdoor furniture, like this hanging lounger from Dedon. In a shady corner of the yard or next to the pool, this lounger is a relaxing environment all to itself!
No matter which furniture choice is best for you, it’s important to protect your investment by properly caring for outdoor pieces. During the winter, outdoor furniture should be safely stored in a shed or garage. Providing this kind of storage space isn’t always a consideration when designing a home or landscape, but it is important to keep in mind. If you don’t have this kind of storage option, many manufacturers sell covers specifically for their exterior pieces. If you buy your own covers, be sure to use a breathable material that won’t trap moisture and lead to mold or mildew. Taking these steps will let you enjoy your ideal outdoor furniture for many years!