Choosing garden furniture
Garden furniture can be divided into two main types: temporary stackable garden furniture and foldaway garden furniture that is kept outside for the summer months and then stored in a garage or shed during the winter; or permanent solid garden furniture that remains in situ all the year round. Temporary garden furniture is generally either used for relaxation or as part of a set for dining outside and entertaining. To make it easy to move around and store temporary garden furniture is made from lightweight, easy-care materials such as aluminium, cane, plastic and resin. Permanent garden furniture is selected more for its looks than its comfort because it is an intrinsic part of the garden scene. Permanent garden furniture can also be heavy because it is rarely if ever moved, so often made from weighty durable hardwoods, cast iron and even stone.
Good-looking garden furniture
The style of the garden furniture should match or complement the design and atmosphere of the garden. For example, in a contemporary design, garden furniture with clean lines and bright colours would be a good option, while old-fashioned, painted wrought-iron garden furniture would better suit the more relaxed environment of a traditional cottage garden scene. Of course, formal styles of garden furniture, lend themselves to formal gardens but they can also look at home in other settings if positioned with care – as a focal point at the end of a path or garden furniture framed by and arbor, for example. The physical presence of the garden furniture can be an important consideration in gardens where space is at a premium. Solid-looking, dark-coloured garden furniture can have an overpowering effect on the surrounding area. In this situation, the natural tones and open-weave of wicker garden furniture or white-painted slatted wood garden furniture would be better options.
Comfortable garden furniture
If garden furniture is going to be used it has to be comfortable. Occasional garden furniture used for short periods while pausing to admire a vista, for example, need not be as comfortable as a sunlounger or other garden furniture that gets hours of constant use. These days the right cushion can make any garden furniture comfortable, but if you want to use a permanent garden furniture out of season or late in the evening, those pieces of garden furniture made of metal and stone will seem cold to the touch, so opt for garden furniture constructed of woods and wicker instead.
Functional garden furniture
Make sure the garden furniture is designed and built for the purpose. If you are likely to want to add to the set later on or buy a matching seat or table for the garden furniture set, make sure that you can purchase items singly. If you have children it's a good idea to buy garden furniture with detachable cushions, covered in washable or spongeable fabrics. Don't forget to check that the garden furniture will fit the place you have in mind – even a small garden furniture set will occupy an area of 3x3m (10x10ft) when in use. |
