Furniture makes outdoor spaces inviting places for relaxation and entertainment, from morning coffee to hosting friends for weeknight dinner parties – having the appropriate patio furniture makes life outside more appealing.
At Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas, designer Byron Risdon created an intimate covered patio using woven materials and an eclectic selection of furniture; its intimate atmosphere becomes even more inviting after dark.
Cast Aluminum
Aluminum has long been a go-to material for outdoor furniture due to its affordability, durability and versatility. Aluminum doesn’t rust like iron nor deteriorate over time like teak and resin wicker do – making this material easy to keep clean. Plus it rust-proof material also means less maintenance required making aluminum an appealing choice for those who value lasting patio furniture solutions.
At Offenbachers Home Escapes, we carry high-quality extruded aluminum, wrought aluminum and cast aluminum outdoor furniture sets, including extruded patio furniture with extruded aluminum frames; rattan sofa and chair sets featuring powder-coated aluminum accents and powder coating; as well as hybrid designs which combine aluminum frames with cushion fabric or sling fabric cushions.
Cast aluminum is created by pouring molten metal into three-dimensional molds, providing greater design freedom than extruded aluminum which consists of hollow tubular sections connected by welding. Cast aluminum is more durable and cheaper than its alternatives such as wrought iron and steel – perfect for replicating antique wrought iron looks without all its downsides such as rusting and weight issues.
Aluminum stands out as an exceptionally lightweight material even in its thickest forms, giving homeowners greater mobility to arrange chairs and tables to meet their individual needs – whether entertaining guests or relaxing alone on their deck. Plus, being heat resistant it’s designed to withstand sun-damage without warping or warping into brittleness!
Aluminum furniture manufacturers find aluminum much less costly to produce, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Aluminum’s versatility as an outdoor material allows manufacturers to coat it in color for visual enhancement or keep its natural silvery finish, or just leave it alone altogether. Although aluminum does build up a layer of aluminum oxide that requires periodic cleaning, its mild corrosion is far easier to manage than the rust that plagues iron and steel pieces left unprotected; mild corrosion is easily cleaned off using soap and water while keeping aluminum covered during non-use can help keep mild corrosion at bay; aluminum is perfect for small spaces while larger spaces alike!
Teak
Teak wood furniture offers the classic aesthetic of natural wood furnishings. As this dense tropical hardwood naturally resists weather changes and maintains its beauty for decades to come. Additionally, its highly UV ray resistant qualities mean you can often find Teak benches from Europe and Asia dating back over 100 years!
Teak furniture is known to be both long-term durable and low maintenance, requiring just regular cleaning to keep it looking its best. Unlike other forms of outdoor furniture, it requires little more than routine care to remain looking new – simply leave untreated to age gracefully into its unique silvery-gray patina or treat with water-based stain for extended newness. Both options can easily fit into any decorating scheme with their wide variety of colors available to complement it.
Teak offers endless possibilities when it comes to creating custom patio furniture. When combined with other materials like metal and wicker, it creates a timeless and contemporary aesthetic – as evidenced by Gloster’s Bells side table which boasts both. It combines kiln dried teak frame construction with powder-coated aluminum frames and features an open top that contains an ice compartment perfect for beverages and appetizers!
Alternatively, for a more traditional aesthetic combine FSC-certified Teak with natural woven rattan to achieve timeless yet sustainable style. Peters Billiards offers several stunning Summer Classics outdoor furniture collections that combine premium Teak with natural woven rattan in various colors to match any design scheme; including their Malibu collection which combines classic teak in chamfered lattice back designs and natural woven rattan for sophisticated transitional designs.
Markus is an inspiring St. Petersburg success story who thrives at bringing his family together in their beach home. After years of working and traveling, Markus made a change and discovered outdoor furniture making as his niche. Now working from his St. Petersburg home during the week while taking his children swimming or to the beach on weekends.
Synthetics
Designers seeking to elevate screened-in porches, covered decks and pergolas that blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces have plenty of luxury outdoor furniture options to choose from for design projects. The best manufacturers provide pieces with both livable luxury and durability in mind that will fit seamlessly in any transitional room setting.
Manufacturers like Mamagreen take an holistic approach to producing premium patio furniture collections by combining eco-friendly materials, such as reclaimed teak, with innovative manufacturing processes and vibrant batyline colored upholstery fabrics to produce stunning outdoor lounge chairs, sectional sofas and tables that will withstand years of residential or hospitality use.
Synthetic wicker patio sets offer one of the most cost-effective and long-term durable options for summer island patio furniture. To find one made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which resists mold, mildew, water and UV damage – be sure to select either modern or traditional outdoor wicker sets to create stylish seating arrangements that look great on any deck!
Resin wicker furniture offers another durable and beautiful choice for creating the ideal backyard retreat, featuring synthetic fibers woven around durable aluminum frames and creating an appealing appearance that withstands weather elements. Plus, resin wicker is less costly than natural wicker and other metals like wrought iron!
For a sophisticated outdoor space, consider a luxurious synthetic summer island patio set from Tropitone’s Corsica collection. Their sling chairs, loungers and ottomans evoke the grace and beauty of France’s Mediterranean coast while their powder-coated aluminum frames are built to last for a longer lasting set. And you can add custom performance fabric of your choosing if desired – perfect!
Janus et Cie provides an exquisite collection of casual luxury outdoor rattan furniture. Their collections feature eco-friendly synthetic wood made from recycled dairy containers and marine grade stainless steel as well as various woven fibers including all-weather strand wicker, reclaimed teak and even jute for all-weather use. Additionally, each piece can be found poolside at luxury resorts and hotels worldwide – not to mention high-end sling fabric upholstery pieces which complete this ensemble!
Cushions
Cushions can make all the difference when it comes to outdoor furniture. From new cushion covers that add a fresh new look, to replacement cushions after years of lounging, dining and entertaining in your backyard space – there’s an option available that matches every backyard style!
Find fabric that can withstand the elements. Choose materials that are fade-resistant if your cushions will be exposed to direct sunlight, such as acrylic and olefin fabrics. Stain-resistant material may also be helpful if hosting large gatherings or hosting children who tend to spill drinks easily; vinyl and texteline fabrics offer good stain-resistance.
Find a pattern that complements your space and works well with fabrics used elsewhere in your landscape. When selecting throw pillow accent colors, try to keep the palette limited to avoid cluttering up your cushions too much.
Solution-dyed fabrics use pigmented fibers to produce color, making them more resilient against fading than printed or piece-dyed fabrics. It’s wise to test for colorfastness prior to making your purchase decision and always remember to clean your cushions using mild detergent, warm water and natural oxygen bleach for the best results.
When the temperatures heat up, you want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Comfortable furniture that’s easy to move around will allow you to do just that – whether eating, relaxing or hosting friends for a barbecue; having cushions that provide support, comfort and color options will add even more enjoyment to the experience.