What Type Of Garden Furniture Should I Buy?

Like most things in life, the key to purchasing garden furniture lies in the planning. On the face of it, buying tables and chairs for your garden seems relatively straightforward: head to a store, make your decision, and wait for it to be delivered.

However, to make a long-term success of this project, you need to mull over a few factors before proceeding.

What are your intentions for the space? Do you live in an exposed area of the country, or do you have a sunny, South-facing garden?

Think about each factor in turn and write down your thoughts. If you have a specific design in mind, and want to ensure your new furniture fits in with this vision, feel free to make a few sketches. This can give you a better overview of how the elements in your garden will work together, enabling you to adapt the design accordingly.

Luxuriant, long sun loungers may seem enticing, but if you're short-changed on space, folded furniture offers a better alternative

Choosing Garden Furniture: The Process

As mentioned above, planning is a vital part of this project. Practically speaking, you need a solution that accommodates the size of your garden space, without causing unnecessary obstructions.

Luxuriant, long sun loungers may seem enticing, but if you’re short-changed on space, folded furniture offers a better alternative.

In fact, if this is the main issue you’re up against, a folding, extendable table may be just what you’re after. 

Some common designs incorporate a folding flap on either side, so you can accommodate family and friends accordingly (and extend the table to the max should any unexpected guests decide to drop by!)

You should also consider whether any patio or French doors will be affected by your choice of furniture; bulkier chairs may restrict their ease of opening (consequently defeating the object of creating a seamless transition between inside and out.)

A popular choice among property owners, rattan furniture certainly looks the part-and it ticks all the boxes on the comfort front too!

What Are the Main Materials and How Do They Compare?

With so many options on offer, choosing the right material for your garden furniture is a big decision.

Ultimately, the main materials on the market are as follows: rattan, wood, metal and pvc. Let’s explore each one in a little more detail…

Option No.1: Rattan:

A popular choice among property owners, rattan furniture certainly looks the part-and it ticks all the boxes on the comfort front too!

It’s resistant to both UV and mould, making upkeep far less intensive; a brief wipe down with a wet cloth is all that’s needed.

Although undeniably attractive, wood furniture requires a good deal of ongoing maintenance to stay that way-far from ideal for those with hectic schedules

Option No. 2: Wood:

Although strong and surprisingly durable, during periods of inclement weather, wood doesn’t fare quite so well.

If you’re prepared to put the time and effort into maintaining teak tables and chairs then by all means go ahead, but for most of us, an easy-maintenance material is preferred.

Possessing a stylishly streamlined appearance, metal furniture is delightfully durable, making it ideal for our changeable climate!

Option No.3: Metal:

The two main types of metal furniture tend to be either multi-foil or steel. 

In the latter instance, you’re looking at a substantially higher price tag, although it is a lot more durable than multi-foil and, as a material, possesses unrivalled longevity as well.

Option No.4: Pvc:

More commonly used for windows, pvc is a highly versatile material; it's also used to create affordable furniture for your garden.

If you’ve got a strict budget to stick to, pvc is definitely ideal; it is one of the cheapest options available, making it perfect for those who want to accommodate a large family, without paying over the odds for additional seats.

Pvc chairs can easily be stacked away during Winter and come complete in a wide range of colours to suit yours (or your children’s!) preferences.

For teak or wooden furniture, ongoing maintenance is required. You'll need to re-stain the wood, and apply several coats of varnish as well to prevent potential wood rot

What About Storage? Do You Have Any Advice?

In terms of storage, the overall size of your garden space will determine your needs; smaller areas will, inevitably, be best suited to furniture which can be stacked, folded or disassembled when not in use. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden shed (and brave enough to venture inside amongst the spiders!), you can simply store the folded furniture inside until the weather gets warmer.

However, if you decide on this option, do bear in mind that the internal conditions of your shed will have some bearing on how the furniture will fare whilst it's in storage-there’s nothing worse then opening your shed in the Spring and discovering signs of speckled mould on your cherished tables and chairs!

To prevent this from happening, give your furniture a thorough clean before you pack it away. For wicker and rattan furniture, soapy water should do the trick. 

For teak or wooden furniture, however, a more labour-intensive process is required. You’ll need to re-stain the wood and apply several coats of varnish as well to prevent potential wood rut. 

The right lighting not only adds to the vibe of the area; in practical terms, it offers an invaluable advantage, by enabling you to enjoy your garden late into the evening, without fumbling around for a torch!

Are There Any Garden Furniture Accessories I Should Know About?

Absolutely! Although tables and chairs will be at the top of your ‘to buy’ list, you want to create the perfect atmosphere as well; that’s where good lighting comes in!

The right lighting not only adds to the vibe of the area; in practical terms, it offers an invaluable advantage, by enabling you to enjoy your garden late into the evening, without fumbling around for a torch!

Popular options include: wall mounted lights, and lanterns set around the circumference of the garden.

Functionality-wise, wall mounted lights offer better brightness; however, the low-level lighting offered by lanterns creates a more relaxing, low-key feel if that’s your preferred intention.

In addition to this, the direction your garden faces will determine which garden accessories are most suitable.

For those with South-facing homes, keeping the area suitably shaded is a top priority-and can easily be achieved with the help of a gazebo or awning to provide a welcome reprieve from the sun.

In our opinion, a good garden furniture supplier doesn't just drop off your chosen items; they take the time to sit down and chat with you, answer all your garden related questions, and offer expert advice on how to keep your new furniture looking its best for longer

How Can I Find A Garden Furniture Supplier I Can Trust?

It’s an age-old question-and one which resurfaces time and time again due to its importance. 

In our opinion, a good garden furniture supplier doesn’t just drop of your chosen items; they take the time to sit down and chat with you, answer all your garden related questions, and offer expert advice on any issues you might face later on down the line, such as long-term maintenance of your furniture, and how to keep your furniture looking its best for longer.

This is what we, at Home Logic, will offer, along with expert design advice to help you really make the most of your outside space. Sorted!