Shopping for new patio furniture can be an enjoyable way to update your outdoor decor. When purchasing new items, ensure they fit with both your style and lifestyle. By keeping it clean and in good condition for as long as possible, reducing waste as a result of unnecessary discards will likely be reduced significantly.
Furnishings made from natural materials undergo more eco-friendly manufacturing processes and produce less waste than synthetic items. Opting for multifunctional decor items is another great way to reduce your environmental footprint.
Zero-Waste Living
Zero-waste living involves eliminating waste through reduced consumption, recycling and reuse. While this may appear daunting at first, making even small adjustments will help you live more sustainably.
Reduce waste begins with being mindful about what items enter your home and limiting what leaves it later. You can do this by streamlining purchases, reusing products and even crafting your own natural cleaning solutions and fashion accessories – it can be fun way to show off creativity while adding comfort and style to your living environment.
Dual-purpose decor can also help reduce waste, as it helps you get maximum use from each piece of furniture you own. For example, outdoor storage benches that double as seating and ottomans that store pillows, pool toys, and gardening tools may be purchased more frugally in this way; you won’t need as many replacement pieces when the time comes!
As another way to reduce waste, recycled patio furniture offers another sustainable option for reducing your footprint. Brands such as Loll and Masaya specialize in eco-friendly materials that are certified Cradle to Cradle; Loll utilizes HDPE recycled from water bottles as its seating material – meaning no water absorption over time and extended durability.
Both companies also provide dining tables, loungers and chairs made from teak wood and aluminum materials, recycled plastic wicker made from intercepted ocean plastic, as well as eco-friendly materials designed to withstand high winds without flying off your patio.
Dual-Purpose Decor
Homeowners with small backyards know the value of optimizing space usage is paramount when designing their spaces. Achieve this goal requires intentional design choices such as furniture that serves multiple functions – like an ottoman which doubles up as both coffee table and storage, perfect for holding decorative items like vases or plants; another piece of multi-function patio furniture might include a bench that stores outdoor blankets or pool toys – this type of functional patio furniture helps reduce landfill waste, contributing towards leading a green lifestyle in your own home.
Selecting an effective seating arrangement is one of the key components in creating your ideal patio space. Symmetrical arrangements work best in more formal living areas while asymmetrical ones create a more relaxed vibe. Take into consideration whether your patio will primarily serve for relaxing, dining or entertaining to find the best design solution.
If your outdoor space will primarily serve as a place for relaxing, choose comfortable lounge chairs and sofas in styles and fabrics that complement your decor, durable cushions designed to withstand weathering and fading, and accent furniture such as an outdoor fire pit table or wicker garden bench with built-in storage to round out your seating area.
Dining options should vary depending on the size and layout of your home or yard, from small bistro tables for smaller homes to outdoor dining sets with larger yards. Consider upgrading a sturdy table by including an umbrella stand to offer extra shade protection from UV rays.
Natural Accents
Patio furniture that incorporates natural accents creates a refreshing and earthy ambience, such as gray outdoor furniture with wood finishes. Gray pieces make a stylish statement in any setting while Tulum accent tables (pedestal-shaped furnishings wrapped from top to bottom in natural rattan) serve as striking focal points. Bohemian and coastal decor lovers may also find chairs, tables and dining sets made of wicker or woven rattan materials which add texture and visual interest – placing a jute rug or tan pillows will further emphasize these natural accents!
Maintenance
Investing in outdoor furniture for your resort, beach or pool area requires regular maintenance and cleaning to extend its lifespan and ensure comfortable relaxation spaces for your guests.
Schedule regular inspection and cleaning for your furniture. Depending on the climate conditions of your area, how often it’s used and the material type, certain pieces may require more care than others.
Many woven and fabric furniture options are mildew resistant; however, prolonged exposure to moisture may lead to mold or other unwanted stains appearing on them. Rinsing with a garden hose after each cleaning session is one way to eliminate mildew buildup and maintain beautiful pieces.
Plastic or metal outdoor furnishings can become vulnerable to water damage over time. Protecting these pieces by covering when not in use, storing it indoors when not needed, or moving them to an area sheltered from the elements is one way to safeguard them. Wiping down surfaces regularly with damp cloth and mild soap solution is another great way to ensure their longevity and prolong their lifespan.
As part of your inspection of furniture for signs of wear and tear or hardware issues, tighten loose bolts, check for missing hardware pieces, ensure smooth reclining mechanisms operate, check creaky pieces for cracking or wobbling movements and ensure all pieces function as intended – creaking or wobbling pieces may indicate the structure is starting to break down and should be replaced immediately with new pieces.