Enjoy Your Open Spaces with Outdoor Furniture

Almost everyone wants to have their open space, at the back or front of the house, made into a beautiful oasis so they can enjoy the open air and nature and entertain their family and friends in style and comfort.

Whether you have a wide expanse of open lawn or a tight space for a garden, you have lots and lots of options to choose from.

Outdoor living in the comfort of your own back yard, patio or balcony is one of today’s favorite ways to relax and enjoy the outdoors in relative privacy.

Be it enjoying a relaxing cup of coffee on your front porch or having a chat with friends in your garden or lawn, wouldn’t it be nice to have some comfortable chair and coffee table to give you that pleasurable laid -back experience.

But what if you have a bit of a cramped open space right in front or back of your own home. Designs and styles in today’s outdoor garden furniture are so varied all you need to do is pick the right one that will fit your limited or unlimited space requirements.

There are so many models, styles and sizes to choose from all you need is a little imagination.  From folding sets to full range outdoor living room sets you get to choose the set that’s right for you to enhance your outdoor living style.

Garden furniture comes in wood, metal, plastic and mixed materials.  The wide and expansive range of outdoor furniture available in the market can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time.

Many people have a lot of reasons to buy and make use of outdoor furniture, not just for decoration, but also for functionality and style. One of the most common uses of outdoor furniture is for outdoor dining.

A lot of families love to enjoy the outdoors while simulating a dining area like the one inside their home.  And there are many, many garden furniture sets that fit right into that desire. There are many different seating capacities, materials, shapes, sizes, etc.

Folding furniture is a great option when you don’t have a lot of space.  You can pull the furniture out when your guests arrive and stack it away in storage when they leave.  Giving you more outside space for smaller groups.

If you are looking to spruce up your garden or backyard you can get great values today to help make your porch, patio or garden the envy of all your neighbors.

There are huge assortments of loungers too.  Sun worshippers and just those who love taking a nap in the open air just love them.

You can find outdoor furniture in its various forms from online dealers, hardware stores and there are even custom patio furniture makers. You don’t have to have a lot of open space to enjoy the outdoors.  With a little imagination you can take a small space and create a paradise.  Choose something that will have lasting value and give you pleasure and relaxation for years to come.

Choices for Outdoor Furniture Books

In any photo of a spectacular garden you will always notice that there is equally beautiful garden furniture.

The furniture sets are usually weather-resistant and designed for durability and extended used in extreme weather conditions.

It is unclear where the trends for this kind of furnishing started but the oldest are preserved in the gardens of Pompeii, Italy. Various designs were actually inspired from the outdoors of Italy like Tuscan style probably because the insouciant and country living is so contagious from this country.

If you are someone who wants to redecorate your garden or are just starting out on your project to create the perfect garden using outdoor furniture, there are a whole range of books that will help you realize your goal.

These books give fabulously innovative ideas and useful guides and instructions to help you see the endless possibilities to transform your patio or garden into a spectacular place for your family and guests to gather.

Building Adirondack Furniture: The Art, the History, and the How-To by John D. Wagner
This book provides you with useful information about the history, kind of wood to use, how to assemble and making use of scraps to build Adirondack furniture. The Adirondack chair, with its distinctive sloped back, inclined seat and high, wide arms, is considered the most comfortable piece of outdoor furniture ever made.

Shop Tested Outdoor Furniture You Can Make With Wood
From the editors of Wood Magazine, here’s a workbook that will challenge you to try to make your own outdoor pieces. It is packed with shop-tested projects for every skill level.

Lazy day porch swings, barn birdhouses, folding snack tables, and party-time carts are just a few of the many projects illustrated in this workbook.

The book has step-by-step instructions with photos that will help you picture the results you want. It also gives diagrams that will help you see precisely how all the pieces fit together. And you will learn all about the furniture parts, materials they’re made of and their dimensions.

The Outdoor Room (Illustrated) by Jamie Durie
A renowned Australian landscaper and TV personality, Jamie Durie is a committed environmentalist and pioneer of the Outdoor Room concept in Australia. His personal website is jamiedurie.com.

On his site anyone can have access to his inspiring concepts and projects. In the book Outdoor Room, Jamie emphasized the essence of outdoor furniture in creating a spectacular garden. Jamie said,”Outdoor furniture must be pleasing to the eye.”

The Outdoor Room is a manual which carries valuable information, useful tips and effective ideas that will spark your creativity. The book provided 200 lavish high-resolution color photographs of how walls, floors, lights, outdoor furniture, water features are united to create a functional and uniquely beautiful garden.

Great Outdoor 2 X 4 Furniture by Stevie Henderson with Mark Baldwin
This book inspires you on creating your outdoor project with 21 illustrated projects to build.

Adirondack chair, footstool, plant pedestal, garden chair, cottage mailbox, hammock stand are just few of the projects mentioned in this book.

This book is intended for those who want to build their own outdoor furniture but lack woodworking skills.

The projects included in the book are all do-able and the illustrated instructions are simplified so anybody can understand.

Materials, tools and techniques were all provided in this book. .

2011 Trends in Outdoor Furniture

The year 2011 is the time where trend in outdoor furniture is shifting from the mere purpose of relaxation to decoration. People tend to focus more on the aesthetics value. Stylish, creative and carefree designs are in high demand. Tempered glass tops and aluminum frames are just few of the changes happening in outdoor furniture designs. There is also modification in the materials being used as some old materials were hard to maintain especially with extreme weather conditions.

Timber, wicker and aluminum are still immensely used but there are innovative changes for a durable and maintenance-free furnishing. Aside from style, the latest trend in outdoor furniture also brings in a spirit of entertaining and sophisticated outdoor living. Colors are either vibrant or simple but the lines are more defined in tune with the lifestyle preferences.

1. Wicker

A combination of real wicker and a resin material was developed as armor against unpredictable weather conditions. Stylish and comfortable design was launched by Derwent collection, made from durable wicker and rust resistant aluminum. Wicker is known for its extra caring requirement to last for years. A design using a combined material with wicker is an excellent step to upgrade outdoor furniture.

2. Teak

Teak is a hard durable yellowish brown wood of a tall tropical Asian timber tree related the vervains. It is originally used on boats and is easy to maintain with its natural silver gray finish. Its timeless look and durability is one great factor that makes it a good investment.

Another popular design today is the gorgeous and stunning combination of timber and aluminum frame. Warmth and striking contrast of these two materials will make your outdoor living space very modern and warm.

3. Acrylic fabrics

Acrylic fabrics are very in demand today. This is probably because this type of material is easy to maintain in outdoors. Acrylic fabrics doesn’t rot or fade and dries quickly.

4. Aluminum

This material is not just visually appealing but is also easy to move and maintain. Cast and casual aluminum are very common in outdoor furniture designs today. The casual aluminum is hollower tan cast aluminum but both are lightweight and rustproof.

5. Wrought Iron

Gone are the days when you worry so much about wrought iron exposed in heat and other elements outdoors. Aluminum outdoor furniture nowadays doesn’t require frequent repainting. A wide range of colorful cushions are also available to spice up your favorite wrought iron outdoor seating.

6. Lamp

Widely used indoors to create a cozy setting and provide light, lamp is your new wonderful addition to outdoor furniture. Lamp shade comes in waterproof and washable a material which makes it hassle-free to expose to sunlight and rain.

Another popular option for outdoor furniture today is the use of comfortable, weather-resistant fabrics. Your family will surely love innovative and stylish designs like convertible swing and daybed with weather-resistant cushion seat and pillows. Decorative gazebo now also comes with durable galvanized steel and heavy duty polyester cover. Basking in the sun is fun with their do-it-yourself assembly.

An outdoor shower made of hardwood with chromed brass fittings is also a great addition to your outdoor collections. The shower is easy and convenient to use, all you need to do is connect the garden hose to it. This outdoor accessory is perfect in swimming pools.

What Can be the Best Outdoor Furniture

What can be the best outdoor furniture will always be the one that will provide the best comfort and convenience of use.

This is how it should always be considered in the first place, especially if you are somebody who wants to get the best deal for his money and besides, who wouldn’t want to?

Although outdoor furniture has been designed and built to last through tests of time and weather, it is still important to know that keeping it still needs to be kept away from things that could potentially damage it in the long run.

Frankly speaking, the best outdoor furniture that you can have is not the most attractive, most expensive or even made of the most durable material ever used for outdoor furniture.

But the best outdoor furniture that you can ever have is the one that you have ever sold your heart into, the one that you chose that stood out from among the rest, the one that you ever wanted to have and finally it has been like a dream come true as you see it being unwrapped into your patio, garden or backyard.

It is the devotion to care and protection of what you have and cherish most that will determine how you will be able to see to it that what you have sitting at the back of your lawn or balcony is one investment that should be worth protecting.

For those who do not may not have a general idea of how to take care of that long -cherished outdoor furniture, here are some tips to keep it in tip top shape and make it last for years on end.

Outdoor furniture made of light or water- absorbent materials like fabric, wood- except cedar and teak, and mixed materials may need to be stored indoors or made sure to have it covered when not in use.

This way the elements will not be able to cause damage to the material.
Although cedar and teak are two of the most common yet durable materials used for outdoor furniture, the only concern that you may have in maintaining it would be to simply sand it at least once a year to remove any signs of stressed wood particles that could potentially spread out and damage the entire structure over time.

Cedar and teak wood are both characterized by their durable and hard wood properties that make them ideal materials for wood -based outdoor furniture.

These two wood materials continue to stay durable as they age, both characterized by retaining a silvery grey color as it ages and in order to make it appear rustic or natural, all that it simply needs is to apply wood stain or dye to help it achieve a more natural look.

But all the same, regardless of whether it is made of wood, metal or plastic, it is still best to keep it away from standing water.
As you know, water can be a corrosive agent for metal and a decomposing agent for organic material like wood, same with fabric and textiles.
Lastly, prevent your outdoor furniture in coming to direct contact with damp soil for extended periods of time.

These are but common tips to protect your hard -earned and cherished investment and may allow you to may as well keep what can be considered your best outdoor furniture.

How to Get the Right Outdoor Furniture

There are a lot of outdoor furniture in the market and how to get the right outdoor furniture is what will ultimately tell if your choice is the right one or otherwise.

Obviously, having the right the kind of outdoor furniture to suit your needs and preferences will help you get on track and not feel lost with the many attractive and tempting choices in the market.

But mind you, not all kinds of furniture can be used outdoors.
Here are some things to consider in knowing how to get the right outdoor furniture.

Try to take a serious look into your backyard, patio or balcony then imagine how you would like to spruce it up with backyard furniture, whether it be a set of chairs and a center table, a bench and long table, chaises and umbrellas or even a gazebo with a set of chairs and round table – the possibilities and choices are endless.

Bottomline is, the moment you get to decide what theme or style you want to decorate or furnish your outdoor space, you not only get to save time, but money as well since you have a basic idea of what you want to see and buy.
There are many styles to consider, be it a modern and contemporary French-styled cafй, a traditional English cottage or an Italian piazza.
Set a budget and make it a point to be realistic about the money you are willing to spend for your planned outdoor furniture.

Also try to consider the materials that you will be using for the style of outdoor furniture that you are going to use.

If you want one that requires less maintenance, try the plastic resin or plastic molded furniture, which are commonly designed to allow water to slide off easily, or can be allowed to stand on a wet ground without causing damage to the material since plastic is water proof and does not absorb water.

The more expensive ones made of cedar wood are also attractive and durable, since cedar wood is a hard wood that is resistant to water and it’s durability is manifest in its aging ability, which turns to color gray and hardens over time.

Cedar wood can also be stained with dyes or tainting colors to give it a more woody appearance.

Another wood product is teak, which when aged gives a silvery-grey appearance when unfinished, but all the same, it is durable and can withstand the elements, especially the sun and rain.

Wicker furniture, whether made of rattan or vinyl – coated plastic strips, can be good porch or balcony furniture and can even be made to stay out in the outdoors during winter.

Another option is outdoor furniture made of aluminum, which is the most expensive among all metal- based furniture. It is lightweight and more durable than most.

A more affordable alternative to metal – based furniture are those made of wrought iron, which is usually coated with an epoxy primer for rust proofing.

Lastly, there are also outdoor furniture made of mixed material, usually a combination of wood and metal, plastic and wood, aluminum and iron, stainless steel and nylon and more, which usually make up for accents based on different styles and designs.

These may be basic information you need, but it will definitely help you know how to get the right outdoor furniture.

How to Keep Your Outdoor Furniture Clean

Investing in good pieces of furniture is a tough job. It requires discipline, utmost care and deliberate cleaning. Harsh elements such as sunlight, dirt, mildew, breakage, bumps and scratches are just some of the few causes of premature damages of your outdoor furniture. The first step in maintaining them is cleanliness so it is important to regularly check on them to keep track of all these negative elements.

Outdoor furniture are classified by the materials it is made. They can be made of wicker, wood, steel, aluminum or cast iron, and plastics. Each of this material requires distinctive ways of caring and cleaning.

1. Wicker Outdoor Appliances

Wicker Outdoor Appliances are usually painted with latex paints. However, as time goes by, the paint gradually tears off and the furniture began to loose its moisture which is the number one factor for it to sag. Painted outdoor appliances are easy to clean. You need a soft-bristle brush or soft dampened cloth to remove the dust or any unnecessary residue in your furniture. Then, let it dry overnight or until the next day. If stains are hard to remove, the furniture can be repainted. You can attach loose ends with wood glue and make a finishing touch using a good amount of latex paint. Make sure that the paint used matches the original paint color. For better protection you can apply an oil finish.

2. Wood Outdoor Furniture

There are different types of wood that can be used in making outdoor furniture. To know the best suited way of cleaning, consult the American Hardwood Information Center at hardwoodinfo.com. They offer information on suitable cleaners for a specific type of wood furniture and other tips on caring for wood furniture. They are the experts for this kind of cleaning.

In polishing your wood furniture, use lint-free cloth such as cotton. Apply just enough amount of furniture polish on a cloth and rub the surface following the direction of the wood’s grain. Follow the same direction all throughout the polishing for a more defined look. Use one specific type of furniture polish on each type of furniture to prevent smudges and stains.

3. Cast Iron and Steel

Cast iron and steel are two materials that are prone to rust and corrosion. They are often protected with paint and clear finish. You can clean this type of furniture using mild detergents. For a fresher look, you can treat it with car wax. Scratches can be hidden through light coats of paint. Some cast iron is done with “powder coat” finish. For this kind of finish, the touch-up can only be done by the manufacturer, so you better keep the calling cards for their service.

4. Aluminum

Compare to cast iron, aluminum outdoor furniture are resistant to rust that is formed during the oxidation process. Maintaining its cleanliness will prolong the life of the coating of your furniture. You can hose it down regularly and treat with car wax for a fresh finish.

5. Plastic

Plastic outdoor furniture is the most easy and convenient to maintain. Upon purchase, you can protect stains to sink in it by applying car wax. If stained, it can be removed with mild detergent or dishwashing soap. For hard-to-remove stains, you can try 10 percent bleach solution or water with vinegar.

Choosing the Right Outdoor Furniture

Many may be unaware of it, but choosing the right outdoor furniture is as equally important as purchasing it.

Probably the best benefit that one can get from making the right choice is not just with the fact that it can be aesthetically appreciated, but also with the fact that it can also save money in the long run.

If one opts to choose by the materials or the style outdoor furniture is made, it is best advised to have as many options as possible, in order to have a wide variety of choices since designs and prices vary differently.
One gets to have a wide range of choices from rustic wood material and designs, to the contemporary and sleek designs made of aluminum and seats made of a mesh of vinyl-covered polyester fiber.

Aside from the material of choice, another consideration is the amount of time and effort that needs to be spent for the maintenance of the outdoor furniture.

Take for example those made of aluminum can be easily washed and maintained by regular cleaning by hosing it with water, soaping and rinsing it and the more tedious process of varnishing or weather-proofing outdoor furniture made of wood.

One of the most common material for outdoor furniture made of wood is teak, which is also commonly used for boat building for being the material of choice for ship decks and other boat-related applications.

Teak is generally weather proof and drenching it with water does not cause any harm to it, and usually ages to weather by appearing silvery grey in color, which gives it a sturdy and rustic look.

Teak does not generally require a great degree of maintenance due to its natural durability, however, if one opts to preserve its golden brown color, all one needs to do is sand the furniture with a standard furniture quality sandpaper or abrasive and apply teak oil at least once a year.

For those made of plastic, usual maintenance requirements is to be wash it with warm and soapy water and brushing it with a nylon brush to remove grease and grime, especially those situated close to an outdoor barbecue grill or removing dried up soil particles which usually sticks to the furniture material after the rain.

Outdoor furniture made of plastic-based wicker material, on the other hand, need to also be cleaned regularly by hosing it down with water to remove dust and dirt that may accumulate in between the cavities of the wicker material but use less soap on it since it could harden the material making it brittle and breakable as time goes by.

However, for those made of genuine wicker, it is best to avoid using water to clean it since the wood-based wicker mesh has the tendency to absorb water and cause it to cause the furniture to not last longer than expected.

For outdoor furniture made of steel or cast iron, it should be painted or coated with a colorless varnish or gloss to prevent water from getting into contact with the metal and avoid corrosion, making it to last longer and retain its durability.

Some manufacturers, use powder coating material on metal furniture to provide it protection from all kinds of weather.

Powder coating provides for a much thicker weather -proofing protectant that is thicker and more protective than usual metal paint use to touch up or finish metal furniture.

Choosing the right outdoor furniture will help you understand how it is important to make the right choices that will get to save you all the effort and money that you can afford and sustain.

How to Pick the Right Outdoor Furniture

It pays a lot to know how to pick the right outdoor furniture for your home garden, lawn or backyard.

This is primarily so, because it would be important to consider that your outdoor furniture will be subjected to the elements and making sure that you have the right furniture is not only key to ensuring the aesthetic value of your furniture, but also ensure that you get to secure your investment on these things.

Here are some key things to consider in choosing the right outdoor furniture to suit your needs.

Don’t just be captivated by beauty and aesthetic value alone.

Outdoor furniture is designed to be a bit more heavy duty and extra protected from the heat of the sun, the drenching of rain water, even the changing temperatures brought about by winds or the damaging effects of sand or other particles carried on by gusts of strong winds.
Make sure that the furniture you will be buying is one that is made for the outdoors.

When in doubt, always ask for assistance.

Picking the right outdoor furniture is also more than just a hunch or a personal preference, it would be best if you are guided with the right kind of information you may need for your furniture needs.

Due to the various weather conditions in different areas, it would be best to make your decisions on those that have been designed for protection ranging from the constant heat of the sun, humid conditions, windy areas, constant rains, etc.

Wooden furniture usually looks good in your outdoor garden or backyard, but make sure that it is designed for the outdoors. You local furniture dealer could help you with options on which ones are made for the outdoors.
If you opt to have your outdoor furniture custom -made by a manufacturer or designer, make sure to inform them that it will be used for the outdoors.
Always remember that different conditions apply for the indoors and the outdoors, and it does not generally mean that what can is made for the indoors is suitable for your outdoor garden or lawn.

Wooden furniture is entirely different from those made of metal or plastic, so be sure to know the specific care and maintenance of your outdoor furniture to make it last longer.

Prepare a budget before going into a shopping spree for outdoor furniture, today’s designs are so varied and diverse, that sometimes you can’t get enough of all the available designs and choices in the market.

Be prepared to get your hands dirty, which means that unlike your indoor furniture, outdoor furniture requires a bit more care and maintenance.
Although these types of furniture have been treated with extra chemicals or protective coatings on them, human intervention is still required to allow your outdoor furniture to last longer and stay durable throughout the years.

It is always good to arm yourself with a bit of knowledge before hopping to look for your outdoor furniture, a little bit of research can help a lot as to which kind of raw materials are great for the outdoors, that way, you are aware which ones are ideal for the outdoors.

After all, an informed consumer is a wise and smart shopper.
So, know how to lick the right outdoor furniture, not only will you be able to make the correct choices, but also help you protect your investment.

Do’s and Don’ts About Your Outdoor Furniture

Although your outdoor furniture may be built and designed to weather the elements, it is still not indestructible and here are some do’s and don’ts about your outdoor furniture.

As outdoor furniture are being subjected to the elements and are actually getting repeated torture and blows from the sun and rain, aside from the fact that it also gets scratched or scraped with occasional bumps and gusts of wind carrying sand or grit particles that can dull a chrome metal finish and can also cause discoloration of paint finish.

Unless necessary steps are taken to protect outdoor furniture from the elements like covering it when not in use or stowing it away indoors during bad weather, it does not require as much care as what is usually being done for indoor furniture.

Outdoor furniture can be as much similar as cars, especially when it comes to protection from the weather, since basically it is subjected to as much pressure as it does under the heat of the sun.

But essentially, outdoor furniture is designed for durability, but prices also has a way of providing that extra heavy-duty protection.
So, it is safe to say that relatively the more expensive outdoor furniture, under standard conditions and quality, are afforded with more protection compared to its less expensive counterparts.

How is it so, taking for example outdoor furniture made of metal. Except for wrought -iron and stainless steel, metal -based outdoor furniture, especially the more expensive ones, are painted with an epoxy based primer that protects metal from getting on contact with heat or water that could cause it to corrode and get damaged in time.

So it is best to take note that even if your outdoor furniture is made of metal, make sure to have it protected as well by either covering it when not in use.

It also requires at least hosing it down with soapy water once every two weeks to prevent spills or substances that cling to metal and eventually seep through the metal’s protective covering.

Avoid using cleaning agents not made for your outdoor furniture, unless it is specified in the product label or information.

Cleaning products designed for cleaning outdoor furniture are formulated to make your outdoor furniture last longer and provide protection as well, compared to regular household cleaners.

However, if a standard cleaning formula is also compatible or suitable for materials that make up your outdoor furniture, then you can rest assured that it is safe for use.

Always make it a point to read the product labels or specifications first before using one on your outdoor furniture.

Those that are likely difficult or a bit more challenging to maintain are the fabric cushions that are sually added to accessorize most outdoor furniture.

Although most fabric material used for outdoor furniture cushions tend to resist dust from clinging to the fabric material, moisture and water could still get absorbed into fabric, causing mildew to form in the padding so always keep cushions covered when not in use.

During winter time, make sure to either cover your outdoor furniture or if possible, you can stow away your furniture into the garage until the season passes.

So try and save yourself the money by not having to buy new outdoor furniture simply just by ensuring that your existing outdoor furniture is adequately protected and as long as you know how the do’s and don’ts about your outdoor furniture.

Converting Indoor Pieces to Outdoor Furniture

Restoring old wood indoor pieces and converting it to outdoor furniture is one practical way of disposing and at the same time gaining value from your investments. It’s economical, eco-friendly. It also gives you the chance to keep sentimental pieces. However, this process is not an easy task. It entails lot of cleaning, rebuilding, and repainting. You must also have the necessary tools in doing the job like wire brushes, stopping knife, synthetic-bristle brush, gooseneck scraper and many more. Different kinds of materials and furniture require different kinds of restoration so you must also study them.

Some people leave the task of restoration to experts but a guidebook on how-to can actually help you a lot to make things possible. First, you must choose a well-ventilated area for the restoration. It must also be scheduled on a fair weather. This will give you the convenience of much organized place to work on and letting the furniture dry within half a day up to 24 hours. You must also wear necessary protection like hand gloves.

Identifying wood can be difficult task. Some wood looks identical and even experienced craftsman can make mistakes. There are 70,000 varieties of known species of tree but generally, lumber trade classifies them into two: softwood and hardwood. For a more thorough guide on identifying woods you can refer to the book “Restoration Recipes: Techniques for Repairing” by James Bain Smith. If you had inquired the type of wood when it was purchased, you won’t need to bother on this.

Stripping solutions are harsh chemical solutions so make sure there are no kids in the work area. There are two types of stripping solutions: the liquid-no-wash stripper and the water-wash stripper. If stripping causes the wood uneven color, you can try bleaching it. After the old color has been washed out, you can start the painting process. There are different kinds of paint and each offers different results. Enamel paint gives satin, flat and glossy finishes. Oil-based paint gives wear-resistant finish.

Another important thing to consider before you start the restoration process is to identify its finish. For a thorough identification, you can test a small part, preferably on a hidden area of the furniture. Large hardware stores sell furniture finishing but few carry more than the basics. Sherwin-Williams chain of store has wider varieties of lacquers and other finishes. If you can’t still find what you needed, you can rely on mail-order suppliers.

There are number of benefits outdoor furniture can get from finishing. It protects from dirt and grimes, it stabilizes the wood and also regains fine color, texture and sheen. All woods have a natural texture depending on the size and distribution of pores. You can preserve its texture by applying a thin finish.

This type of finish has actually gained plenty of approval for many years and it is commonly called the “natural good look.” If large pores largely appear on your outdoor furniture, you can partially fill it with paste wood filler.