Are you looking to spruce up your garden for the summer? Our gardens can be a relaxing sanctuary away from busy modern life. There’s nothing better than feeling the warm breeze in your hair as you relax after a stressful day. Especially during those warm summer months. If you don’t furnish it right though, a beautiful garden sanctuary can soon turn into an eyesore. And with so many options on the market, you might not know where to start. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for these seven tips in our garden furniture buying guide to get you started.
1. Make a List of What End Result You Want
First, think about how you want your garden to end up looking. Do you want a dining area to eat outside? Do you want a cozy reading corner? Or a comfy seating area to lounge in? What about a stylish hanging chair?
You can draw a layout of your garden, and draw in the areas you want to separate it into. Then, make a list of what items you want and need to make this plan a reality. Remember, you don’t have to buy it all at once. You can focus on an area at a time.
2. Think About Your Garden’s Function & Purpose
When you’re making your garden plan, think about what you’ll use your outdoor space for. Also, how do you want it to function?
Do you want it to be an extension of your home, a blend of outside meeting the inside? Are you going to use it as another entertaining space, for lots of guests and events? Or will it be your own private, relaxing sanctuary?
Depending on how you use your garden, this will affect your furniture choice. Most people will want to have a mixture of entertainment and relaxation.
A comfortable area where you can sit and chill in the sun is often paired with a dining set to entertain friends. So, you must think about the purpose of your space and how you want it to function.
You want to ensure your furniture fits together and doesn’t crowd a space. Each area should be its own space but flow together to have one seamless, cohesive look and style.
3. Use the Colors of Your Garden to Match Your Furniture
No outdoor furniture buying guide would be complete without color advice. When looking to buy outdoor furniture, you aren’t limited to only natural colors.
Wood, metal, and wicker furniture now come in a wide variety of colors. Look at the colors in your garden, do you have dominant colors in your planting? If so, let them guide you.
For example, if you have a strong color scheme, consider a matching mosaic bistro set. It will help tie in your furniture to the rest of your garden for a seamless flow.
This is especially important if you’re looking for that blend of the outside and inside of your home. In these cases, you can also mix in colors of your home’s interior.
4. Go for Quality
Another important tip for any guide to buying outdoor furniture is to go for quality pieces. With patio furniture, as they’re exposed to the elements most of the time, it needs to last.
Plastic resin tables and chairs might look good in the store, but after a few years of use, they will lose their color. With prolonged sun exposure, the color will drain and fade. They’re also prone to scratching and chips as they dry out and become brittle.
This is also the case for some wood and wicker furniture that isn’t treated right. Make sure you check out the reviews before you commit. Other customers will tell you a lot about how each item stands the test of time.
If you’re working on a budget, make the big essentials the priority. It’s better to save a little longer to get the quality big pieces that will last you years and years to come.
5. Pick the Material with Care
There are different materials that you can choose from, and each one will have its own pros and cons. The main ones are:
- Plastic: lightweight and affordable, recycled plastic is an option
- Aluminum: lightweight, non-rusting, can heat up in the sun
- Steel: long-lasting, will rust if not stainless, more expensive
- Wrought Iron: Sturdy, heavy, will rust with no powder coating
- Wood: Durable, keeps its temperature, high-maintenance
- Wicker: Lightweight, comfortable, breathable, prone to fade
Think about what material you want and the level of care you want to give it. It’s not all about cost, but how well you can maintain it and keep it at it’s best. You want to get a material that will meet your personal needs for the longest.
6. Choose Comfort
Don’t forget your comfort. You shouldn’t compromise on this because it’s only going to go outside. When choosing an outdoor chair or sofa that has outside pillows and cushions, go for the most comfort you can.
If the cushions don’t come with the deal, then it’s a good idea to put some of your budget into custom ones. In these cases, if you can try them before you buy, it pays off to do so.
For an extra statement piece, consider a daybed or a hammock. Not only do they make a great feature, but they also provide an area for a little nap in the sun if that’s what you love. But remember to practice good skincare if you’re going to soak up those rays.
7. Work with Your Climate and Location
This buying guide for furniture wouldn’t be complete without this key tip. You can’t change your location or climate with ease, so work with it. Your entire yard should be planned around your location.
Make sure you’re picking materials and furniture designed for where you live. You want it to stand up to all the elements your local area will throw at it.
If you live in an area of salt-water with windy conditions, make sure the material you choose is suitable. Wind and salt will fade and erode some materials over time.
Likewise, if you’re in an arid area with high levels of strong sunshine, pick items with UV protection. Otherwise, it won’t be long before they become brittle, fade, and dry out.
The Furniture Buying Guide You Don’t Want to Miss
So, there you have it! Now you knew these top seven tips in our furniture buying guide, you’re all set to get that perfect look.
Be clear in your plan and what furniture you want. Have an idea of how your space will function and work. Don’t sacrifice comfort but pick your materials with care. And work with your climate, no matter where you live.
If you’re looking for quality outdoor furniture that will make a real impact, contact us today. At Lesera.com, we’ve got pieces that are sure to complete your look.
