There is something truly incredible about the idea of turning a part of your garden into an outdoor family room during two, or even three seasons of the year. An outdoor “family room” will get you connected with nature again. Making an area of your garden into a space that you can enjoy does require some resources.
And if you are thinking of buying garden furniture, it is important to find something that will be long-lasting, as well as comfortable. Garden furniture does not only have to be attractive, but it also needs to withstand all the elements and provide additional value to your outdoor living area. Great garden furniture, you can find at https://www.gardenfurniture.co.uk/.
Here are some things that you should know before opting for some garden furniture:
Protect your investment
If you take good care of your outdoor furniture, it will certainly last longer. During winter, you should move the furniture into your basement, garage, or shed and, if that is not possible, you could buy covers for your patio furniture. Outdoor tables and chairs are often built-in standard sizes, hence they will easily fit into generic, zipped covers.
The form follows the function
When deciding on the materials, the best thing to do is consider how you are planning on using the furniture and how much time will you spend maintaining it. Here are a few options:
– Steel and wrought iron – both of these materials are sturdy and heavy duty, however, they will rust, so you will have to maintain it by painting it annually, or waterproofing it when needed.
– Rattan, natural grasses, and wicker – it is quite surprising how well natural materials look outdoors, especially if you treat it with a resin finish. However, these materials do require yearly waterproofing.
– Wood – of course, wood looks quite amazing in outdoor living spaces. It is quite comfortable and sturdy, but it does require regular maintenance with a UV protector or preservatives. You can choose weather resistant woods like, redwood, cypress, teak, or cedar.
– Aluminum, PVC, and plastic – according to gardencentreshopping.co.uk, these materials are rustproof, inexpensive, lightweight, and require little maintenance. All you will have to do to maintain it is wash the furniture with a little soap and water and you are done.
Do not forget the shade
Sitting in your garden can be quite uncomfortable during the hottest parts of the day, especially if your furniture is not in the shade. Except for a big tree that provides shade, the next best thing for providing shade is buying some sort of a cover. You can use a crank-deployed umbrella, an awning, or you could opt for a fiberglass roof over your patio deck.
Integrate your furniture
It is nice to think about the outdoor space as your own personal oasis, but it is not in an isolated area, it is located on your property. You might think that red loungers with yellow smiley faces are adorable and cute, but it will probably clash with the exterior of your house. Of course, outdoor furniture can be creative and fun, but if you want it to be perfect, try to match it with the overall look and feel of your home.
Comfort!
One of the most important things is, of course, comfort. You may want wood or steel constructions for stability, but do not forget about the comfort of plush, soft cushions your outdoor furniture will need. You should forget about the thin, flat cushions, and opt for chubby cushions with polyester fillers.
Conclusion
These were 5 things that you should keep in mind when choosing outdoor furniture and if you follow these tips, you can ensure that your outdoor “living room” will be perfect.
Nina Smith 
Kim Marks