5 Elements to Consider When Buying Your First Garden Furniture

It’s exciting, isn’t it, to be able to afford your own place and furnish it the way you want? From the front porch right to the backyard, there are many things you can do, many little upgrades to big renovations that can be done to make your home that slice of paradise amid a hectic lifestyle.

Congratulations to you – you now own your first house with a garden. That means more space, more opportunities to decorate, and even more ways to relax. Just like any other room in your house, your garden and patio also need some careful thought into furnishing and decorating. Here are five important elements to consider when purchasing your first-ever garden furniture:

#1 What’s the weather like?

The primary deciding factor for the type of material you’d be choosing for your garden furniture is the weather. It’s garden furniture, which means it’s going to be outdoors. Whether it’s under a gazebo or you have a garden parasol over it, your furniture needs to be weather-proof. Should you have cushions? Is wood okay? Most garden furniture that includes cushions are water-repellant, but not necessarily waterproof. This means they can withstand a little rain, but if your area is prone to full-blown heavy rains, cushions can end up soaking the water, getting soggy, taking forever to dry, and with mildew.

Also, it isn’t fun to keep bringing the cushions indoors when it looks like it will rain. You can opt for covers that you put on when you’re not using the furniture, which is convenient and useful during winter, or you can opt for natural teak garden furniture. Teak is extremely durable and naturally waterproof. It comes with natural protective oil that lubricates the wood while providing it with a nice shine.

#2 Where are you planning to place your furniture?

Where it goes matters because there are fire and safety regulations that you need to follow to ensure that your property, furniture, and the safety of the people in the neighborhood and their homes aren’t compromised. Not only that, but the location of your garden furniture will also save it from other natural elements such as bird poop. If you’re putting it under a large tree that looks beautiful, you’ll end up spending time scraping off bird poop from the surface of your furniture. You also want to make sure that it doesn’t obstruct pathways or is near firepits, grills, or barbecue pits. Check your local fire regulations to ensure you don’t break any laws.

#3 What’s your budget like?

It’s normal to be enticed by the price tag, and budget is #3 on this list simply because you know the type of furniture you need for the weather you have and where it’s going to go in your garden. These elements will help you narrow your choices down further when you look into the costs. You know what type you need, and you know where it should go. Now, how much are you looking at?

Determining your budget will help you select garden furniture that’s durable and suitable for your garden needs. Expensive doesn’t always mean better, but at the same time, cheaper isn’t always the best way to go. Stick to an option that brings value to your money and one that can last long. Essentially, you want garden furniture that can last a minimum of 5 years to 10 years. Teak, for example, is the kind that’s durable and lasts long. The initial investment may be on the higher end, but if it means minimal maintenance and longevity, this means value for money.

#4 What kind of ground do you have?

Placing garden furniture directly on garden soil would mean they tend to sink in. Even worse is when it rains, and the ground gets muddy. It’s a pain to walk, and it makes it harder to move your garden furniture. If you’re placing your garden furniture on your patio, what kind of material is it? Stone? Decking? Wood? Skinny legs could lead to sinking between the gaps of your decks. When shopping for garden furniture, look at the overall build of it, especially the chairs, as it will carry the weight of the sitter and hold on the ground you’ve placed it on. The safer and more durable option is for furniture legs that have a medium to large build. That way, they won’t get stuck between decks, and they also don’t sink into the ground the same way thinner chair legs would.

#5 What’s in trend?

When you shop for garden furniture, you’ll find many different materials from stainless steel, wrought iron, teak, wicker, and even synthetic resin. Each of these materials comes with its advantages, and they are all designed in the latest trend. Trend and design should be your last deciding factor because not everything in trend is necessarily good for your space and needs. Lightweight furniture against a place with strong winds – not good. Stainless steel for a place with the hot sun – nope, not ideal. Hardwood furniture for indoor patios – what’s the point? Just because a garden furniture set is labeled as outdoor furniture doesn’t mean it will work well for your space.

You want to invest in garden furniture that’s durable and long-term, and, more importantly, safe to use. You also don’t want it to give you a lot of hassle to maintain and store during the winter months. Doing a little bit of homework will save you a lot of time and stress, not to mention the maintenance of your garden furniture. Reading articles such as this, checking out Reddit posts or even YouTube videos, and reading Amazon reviews are various ways to research to be informed of the type of garden furniture that suits your weather and exposure level.

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