How to find the perfect outdoor furniture

Many of us are stuck in the cold and snow right now, but keep hope! In just a few months, it will again be warm, the trees will be budding and the grass will be green and fresh. Where will we all want to be? On our decks and patios, of course. There’s nothing better than a comfy lounge chair and an umbrella over the table — a perfect outdoor living space with great outdoor furniture. Outdoor furniture can include any number of pieces and finding the appropriate ones for your space can be exciting to shop for once you start exploring the many options.

Beautiful Outdoor Furniture

Where to buy great furniture

The first step is to decide where to buy it. Researching online will definitely let you see the thousands of styles available, but you may want to see and touch in real life at places like large retailers such as Home Depot  or Lowes. Other furniture sources include Pottery Barn, Frontgate and even the local craftsman or specialty furniture shop. Products and finishes used can include iron, teak, wicker, plastic, tree limbs and branches. Depending on how often you will use the furniture and what the weather is like in your area, you’ll have a wide range of styles and costs to consider.

Great furniture materials

Teak is very durable and resistant to moisture and rotting and works in most weather conditions. It weathers nicely and will not need preservatives applied to protect it although applying teak oil can extend its already long life and help maintain its original golden color. Patio chairs, rocking chairs, patio tables, benches, loungers and steamers are all available in teakwood. The prices are higher than some other finishes but since it can outlast you or your tastes teak furniture is worth the investment. For example, a teak adirondack runs over $500 at Vintage Country Hills (crafted by Teak Experts), and an extension patio table is around $1100. They’re beautifully constructed though out and worth the investment as they’ll look great for many years to come.

Durable Teak

Wicker furniture is made from woven plant fibers dates back to early civilizations. It’s lightweight, strong and less expensive than teak although it won’t last as long without care and attention. Nowadays there’s resin wicker which is made from synthetic polyethylene or polypropylene resin fibers which are more weather resistant while maintaining the look of traditional wicker. Many retailers offer wicker furniture for both indoor and outdoor use. Outdoor wicker has the look of the tropics and suggests humid, sunny days with tropical flowers and leaves blowing nearby. Wicker has a wide price range. Armchairs can be anywhere from $150 to $500, and complete dining sets of a table and four chairs for around $900 up to $2500, depending on size, style and manufacturer.

Classic Wicker

Wrought iron is also a popular choice for outdoor use. It has a classic look which ranges from very casual to formal designs for old, vine-covered estate patios and gardens. Wrought iron is tough and malleable. Most pieces labeled as such these days are really steel as wrought iron isn’t produced on a commercial scale any longer. Some skilled artisans do still produce great wrought iron furniture if that’s what you really want. Wrought iron dining sets can range from inexpensive to very expensive. A set of four dining chairs at Target is only $140 for the Havenbury collection, while the Modesto set from Home Garden And Patio website originally retailed for over $2100. Shop around! Again, true wrought iron and cast iron will cost more than steel that’s finished to look like wrought iron. You’ll probably want to purchase cushions with iron also as it’s not as comfortable without them. It can get hot to the touch in sunny weather and the pattern in the steel can leave imprints or pinches to the skin.

Wrought Iron Furniture

Another interesting material for outdoor furniture is plastic or recycled plastic furniture for those interested in living more green. Manufacturers like ForeSite Designs produce attractive pieces like benches and picnic tables from recycled plastic. Plastic is durable and long-lasting and provides more options in colors, like green, white, yellow, blue, red, and others. Another recycled plastic furniture maker is CozyDays.

Chaise lounge chairs run around $500-$600 and dining and bar chairs run in the $300s. Since high-end recycled plastic is impenetrable to conditions like rain, snow or the hot sun as well as being strong and comfortable, it’s great around the pool or on the patio or in the garden. You can even get full plastic dining sets that look like the teak pieces discussed earlier.

Outdoor Plastic Furniture

As mentioned, many outdoor furniture pieces will be more comfortable with the addition of cushions and pillows. Be sure to find pieces made from weather-resistant fabrics. Sunbrella is one of the most popular fabrics to look for. You’ll find pre-made items and Sunbrella fabrics are also available by the yard for making custom pillows and cushions. Fabrics can reflect your style whether they are beach stripes, casual earth-tone solids, or vibrant, tropical prints.

Cushions In Great Colors

Still other materials include concrete, metals and woven pieces like hammocks and swings. Concrete furniture is extremely heavy and may be best for commercial applications, but is can be very attractive and durable and great for sidewalk cafes or lakeside restaurant patios. It comes in various colors and finishes and is a good value for the price.

Hammocks can be the best place to catch a shady afternoon nap and a comfy front-porch swing (or even out hanging from a big oak tree) is a great place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Relaxing Hammocks

So plan now and by the time spring rolls around, you can have your outdoor living spaces furnished with beautiful, practical pieces that you will enjoy for the coming months and years. Research online, even buy online, or visit the retailers where you can try out the pieces you want. Then you’ll be sure to find the look and feel you’re seeking.