Lawn and patio furniture can create an inviting outdoor space perfect for hosting, dining, and relaxing. Choose the furniture to best fit your style.
Backyard patio furniture that sits directly on grass can cause both itself and its environment damage. Moisture trapped by the grass can seep into porous materials on furniture and cause moss, mildew and rot growth – potentially irreparably harming both.
Choosing the Right Furniture
When it comes to furnishing an outdoor space, there are many choices for furnishings. Your patio furniture should be both visually appealing and practical – no point purchasing items that don’t meet this standard. Spending some time understanding your own specific needs can help ensure you select suitable furniture pieces for your patio space.
One key consideration in furnishing your outdoor space is size. Before selecting furniture for the space, take measurements to ensure everything fits correctly; purchasing inappropriate sizes of furniture could leave too little or too much room in your outdoor area and making it appear cramped and cramped. There are many solutions available to smaller outdoor spaces which maximize space while providing comfortable seating options.
Consider what your outdoor space will be used for before purchasing furniture. Your needs may include accommodating multiple guests for dinner parties or providing an intimate space to relax. Consider how often and for how many events your outdoor space is used before purchasing suitable seating; sofa sets with lounge chairs might work well when entertaining large numbers, while bistro tables and chair combos would work better with smaller gatherings.
Consider carefully when purchasing patio furniture the material it is constructed from, as different materials offer their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Metal can be sturdy yet hot to the touch during hotter months; wood furniture lasts much longer but may fade with exposure to direct sunlight.
Selecting the proper material for your furniture will play a crucial role in its maintenance and longevity. Some materials make cleaning simpler than others – for instance stainless steel furniture can easily be wiped down after use in harsh weather conditions, while wood may crack under high temperatures and warp over time.
If you need assistance selecting furniture, hiring an expert may help make the selection process simpler. They can guide your decisions regarding which pieces best suit your space, design custom solutions to meet your needs, and choose an appealing color palette from Miller’s vast selection.
Choosing the Right Materials
The materials used to construct outdoor furniture play an essential role in its durability and ability to withstand the elements. Different materials suit different climate conditions, while each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Metals like steel and wrought iron are highly sturdy materials, but require regular painting or coating treatments in order to prevent corrosion and rusting, making them less flexible than wood or wicker furniture. Still, metal is extremely durable and often inexpensive enough for those living on a tight budget.
Wood is an elegant choice for patio furniture, offering both aesthetics and comfort. Sturdy enough to withstand strong winds, however regular preservative treatments and UV protection may be necessary – teak, cypress and eucalyptus species in particular have great natural rot-proof qualities making them suitable for outdoor furniture use.
Natural materials, like rattan and wicker, provide a more casual aesthetic for patio furniture. While not as tough, they’re relatively durable – especially if equipped with a resin finish to help shield them against the elements – but require regular treatment with preservative and may need extra weatherproofing every few years.
Aluminum furniture can be an ideal choice for many because of its lightweight nature, resistance to rusting and ease of maintenance with soap and water. Aluminum is also widely available and comes in an array of colors that can be powder-coated to complement your decor – though its lack of durability could make it susceptible to wind-driven damage.
IPE wood (commonly known as Brazilian walnut) is an extremely hard and dense tropical hardwood material with superior resistance to decay and rot, offering long-term beauty for any outdoor retreat or oasis. IPE is resistant to weather damage as well as physical abuse – making it the perfect material for creating stunning backyard retreats that last years into the future!
Loose materials like gravel, pea gravel, pavers and brick are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to traditional lawn surfaces. These options can also help drought-stricken regions reduce water usage as they help sustain healthy grass and flowers while saving costs in maintenance costs.
Choosing the Right Cushions
When selecting the ideal outdoor lifestyle furniture pillows and cushions, it’s essential that styles complement both your decor and provide comfortable seating. From cushion shape to stuffing options, there are certain aspects you must keep in mind to ensure your furniture looks its best and feels its finest.
When choosing the correct size of outdoor cushions, it is vitally important that you measure your existing outdoor furniture accurately. A rigid tape measure (not tailor’s tape) is recommended in order to achieve more accurate measurements of sitting surface rather than frame interior – this will provide more accurate cushion measurements that fit more comfortably and snugly than ever.
If you are replacing old, misshaped patio furniture cushions, it may be necessary to add extra fabric so they fit the frame of the chairs or sofas properly. When doing so, it is essential that the thickness and back height cushions as well as arm rest height be considered when doing this task.
Fluffing your outdoor cushions on a regular basis is key to getting the most out of them. Whether your furniture has been stored away for the season, or your cushions have begun losing their original form, fluffing them regularly will help restore and extend their lifespan as well as ensure all surfaces receive equal wear and tear.
When selecting fill for outdoor cushions, it’s crucial to choose materials that will withstand harsh weather conditions while resisting mildew and mold growth. Synthetic materials like Texteline and Polyfill offer numerous advantages compared to natural fills such as down, such as being easy to clean up after exposure to light as well as being tear resistant and easy to store away when not being used.
Sunbrella fabrics are considered top of-the-line when it comes to selecting outdoor cushions due to their fade-resistance, waterproof construction and ability to resist mildew and mold growth. Furthermore, there is an abundance of color choices and sizes available that meet all your needs.
Choosing the Right Fabrics
Choose outdoor fabrics carefully when selecting fabric for your lawn and patio furniture to make it more comfortable, stylish and attractive. Re-upholster a chair or replace cushions on a bench – durable materials specifically made for outdoor use will remain looking their best in rain, snow or wind conditions.
Woven outdoor fabrics are often the best choice for pillows and furniture, especially when it comes to heavy-duty use. Look for performance fabric rated for heavy-duty use that resists rot, mildew, bleach and UV exposure as well as fade resistance – like Sunbrella fabric which uses an innovative process of infusing pigment into acrylic fibers before spinning yarn to provide long-term fade protection.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester and vinyl work well outdoors as they’re resistant to stretching, abrasion, mold/mildew growth and rot. Furthermore, they don’t absorb spills like wine and tomato sauce easily and usually wipe clean with damp cloth. For even greater durability consider solution-dyed polyester fabrics; their colors are permanently embedded into their threads so they won’t fade under harsh weather or sunlight exposure.
Nylon and polyester mesh fabrics make great screen panels, sling chairs and drapery material options due to their waterproof and fade-resistant qualities; however, their plasticky feel might put off some users. An alternate mesh option that stands up well is textilene, which provides water-resistance, flame retardancy and fade resistance – perfect for patio furniture!
If you decide to reupholster your furniture yourself, be honest with yourself about your sewing abilities and project’s complexity. Choose an easy pattern or instructions, limiting embellishments or accessories as much as possible. High-quality fabric that’s long-wearing may also be needed; patience and perseverance will help see it through!
Childress Fabrics & Furniture provides an impressive range of outdoor fabrics by the yard that will suit any furniture or accessory in your patio space. We source only high-quality mill fabrics so you can rest easy knowing your new patio furniture and accessories will withstand the elements while maintaining vibrant hues.