When creating a cosy outdoor living space, having the right outdoor furniture is a must. Below are a few things that people get wrong when it comes to selecting and looking after outdoor furniture.
Using indoor furniture outdoors
It's important that any furniture placed outdoors is designed for outdoor use. An old armchair or couch might seem like a fun feature in your garden, but it will likely get mouldy and rotten once the moisture gets to it (or worse, it may become a home for pests like rodents). Keep the indoor furniture inside to avoid this.
Placing outdoor furniture directly on grass
While some people love to put garden furniture on their lawn, it's typically only sensible as a temporary option. Heavy tables and chairs can be a nuisance to mow around and they may start to sink into the ground after a lot of rain. It's best to keep furniture on a flat grass-free surface - patios and decking are the best options. Only use temporary furniture on grass.
Overcrowding with too much furniture
If you've got a small garden, you should be careful of trying to cram too much furniture into it. It will look messy and it could be awkward having to climb past tables and chairs. Try to maximize seating without having too many different chairs - outdoor corner sofas and booths don't take up too much space and yet are able to fit lots of people on.
Not supplying enough furniture
If you've got a fairly large garden and you like to have lots of guests around, take advantage of this by supplying plenty of seating. If all you have is a single table and chairs and people are forced to hover, consider adding some extra seating or another table. At the very least, you should have enough seating for everyone in your household to sit outdoors.
Choosing mismatched furniture
Ideally, your outdoor furniture choices should follow a theme. Too many different styles and colours will make your garden look messy. Stick to either wood, plastic or metal. With wood and cast iron furniture, you may be able to get it all to match by painting it the same colour. Matching seat covers or matching cushions could be another solution for making different styles of outdoor furniture match if you really don't want to get rid of anything. .
Failing to maintain your outdoor furniture
Most types of outdoor furniture need to be maintained. Cast iron and timber furniture can benefit from being repainted or retreated to stop it from rusting/warping. At the very least, you should be cleaning your outdoor furniture once per year to keep it presentable.
Not securing furniture from high winds
High winds may be enough to lift chairs, tables and gazebos. To stop your furniture ending up in someone's garden, make sure to weigh it down or store it away in a shed during a storm. In very wind-exposed gardens, it may be worth opting for heavy cast iron furniture to prevent it from flying off - such furniture won't shift unless there's a hurricane.
Leave a Reply