If you want to add a touch of class to your garden, garden furniture is the way to go.

But with so many options available, knowing which pieces will work best for your space can be tricky. In this blog post, we’ll discuss choosing the right garden furniture for you and offer some tips on what to consider before making a purchase.

So if you’re ready to add a bit of luxury to your outdoor area, keep reading!

What to Consider Before Purchasing Garden Furniture?

When it comes to choosing garden furniture, your priorities are comfort and design.

Sometimes it can be difficult to do both at once, so you’ll need to strike a balance between functionality and style. After all, the furniture you choose is going to be on display for at least some of the year, so you’ll want it to look good too!

Once you have an idea of the style you want and which pieces you need, you can start planning the layout of your outdoor space and thinking about where each piece will sit. Planning out your furniture beforehand will also make it easier to decide where you want each piece to go and help you avoid awkward space fillers!

Before purchasing any furniture, it’s important to take some time to decide how you’re going to use your outdoor space.

• Are you entertaining guests in the garden?

• Or are you using it to host family meals?

• Do you simply want some outdoor furniture to relax on when the sun is shining?

• Or are you looking for somewhere for you and your friends to enjoy drinks on a warm summer evening?

It’s important to consider how you plan to use your garden and select the right pieces to fit accordingly.

Another thing to consider before making a purchase is the location in your garden where you need it.

• Will the furniture be placed in a shady area?

If so, you may want to avoid metal or wood furniture, as they may fade over time in the sunlight.

If you’ve chosen metal furniture, you can always purchase some cushions for added comfort. Once you’ve identified where in the garden you need the furniture, you can start thinking about each piece’s size and shape.

This is particularly important if you have limited space or want to use outdoor space in more than one way. For example, if you have a small garden, you may want to choose furniture that can be folded away and stored away during the winter.

Alternatively, you can choose tables that can be pushed together to create a bar table alfresco style for outdoor entertaining. When thinking about shape, try to imagine the furniture in its final location before making a purchase.

These are just a few considerations to help you get started, but the most important thing to remember when choosing your new garden furniture is to make sure it’s comfortable to sit on.

The Different Types of Garden Furniture Available

Many different types of garden furniture are available, each with unique qualities. This includes:

1. Metal Garden Furniture: 

This usually consists of lightweight aluminium frames and is easy to clean and maintain in all types of weather. If you are looking for furniture that can withstand all weather conditions, then metal garden furniture is a good option.

You can also get more heavy-duty steel or cast iron garden furniture that is also very durable and can last for many years.

2. Wooden Garden Furniture:

This usually consists of renewable natural resources and is often made from teak wood, which can withstand long days of sunlight without fading.

However, wooden garden furniture must be maintained over time to avoid splitting and cracking.

3. Rattan Garden Furniture:

This consists of woven fibres and is usually made from synthetic materials that aren’t as durable as metal or wood but are rattan garden furniture is still long-lasting and easy to clean.

4. Plastic Garden Furniture:

This consists of PVC, is lightweight, easy to move around, and affordable.

However, it’s not as long-lasting as metal or wood garden furniture and needs to be cleaned to avoid mould and mildew growth.

5. Patio Furniture Cushions:

This consists of soft fabric, fillings, and covers and is great for adding comfort and colour to your furniture.

However, if you don’t clean the covers regularly, they can become worn and torn over time and need to be stored indoors when not in use.

6. Sofas:

In some larger gardens or areas of the patio, you may want to include sofas to help get the most from your space and offer extra seating.

A rocker chair or garden sofa set is also a great way to make the most of the space.

7. Alfresco Dining and BBQs:

If you want to make the most of your outdoor dining experience, you may want to add an alfresco dining table and chairs or a BBQ to your patio area to provide a place for friends and family to gather and enjoy a meal outdoors.

8. Water Features:

Other elements to consider are garden ornaments or water features, such as fountains, which can add elegance and style to your outdoor design.

9. Gazebos:

If you want to get away from the weather but still enjoy the outdoors, you may want to include a gazebo, which can be used for dining and afternoon tea, relaxing in the shade, or for parties and celebrations.

10. Lighting:

Finally, you need to consider lighting options, whether you want to illuminate areas to create ambience or for safety or practical purposes, such as security lights or lighting for walking paths and driveways.

How to Choose the Right Pieces for Your Space

As we have seen above, there are many different types of furniture that we can choose from, so knowing how to choose the right pieces for your outdoor space can be difficult if you don’t have any experience or ideas to start with.

We’ve put together a few considerations to take into account when choosing furniture for your garden to help you get started:

1. Think About Your Style:

Do you like the idea of a traditional garden with lots of greenery and classical architecture? Or are you looking for a more modern approach with plenty of sleek lines and open spaces?

Defining your style will help you decide what you want from your space and, therefore, what types of furniture to choose for your outdoor design.

2. Consider Your Climate:

It’s important to consider the climate in your area when choosing furniture for your garden.

For example, if you live in a cold climate, you may want to opt for metal or wood furniture, as these types of materials can withstand more harsh weather conditions.

3. Think About Practicalities:

Think about the space available in your garden and what furniture best suits your needs.

For example, if you have a small space, you may consider adding space-saving furniture such as umbrella tables or modular furniture that can fold and stack away when unused. On the other hand, if you have a large space, you may consider adding a table and some chairs to create a dining space outdoors for family meals or get-togethers.

4. Think About Comfort:

One of the most important things to consider when choosing furniture for your garden is comfort.

After all, you’re going to be relaxing in your garden! With this in mind, make sure you choose comfortable pieces with soft cushioning or padded seats to ensure your garden furniture isn’t just aesthetically pleasing but practical and comfortable.

Tips for Maintaining Your Garden Furniture

To ensure your furniture is looked after and will stand the test of time, you must take good care of it regularly.

Caring for your garden is often a case of “prevention is better than cure”, so you want to ensure that your furniture stays in tip-top condition for as long as possible! Here are some tips to help you look after your garden furniture:

• Remove any cushions from your garden furniture and wash them in warm, soapy water or the washing machine at 30 degrees.

• Wipe down all the metal parts with a damp cloth to ensure they remain shiny and rust-free.

• Regularly apply weather-proofing products to all wooden garden furniture frames to prevent splitting and cracking.

• When storing cushions or covers, place them somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight to avoid fading or becoming worn over time.

• Store all furniture indoors or in a garage during a severe winter to avoid breakages and damage.

Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that your garden furniture continues to look great and last for years.

Ideas for Decorating Your Outdoor Space With Furniture

It can often be hard to come up with ideas for decorating your outdoor space, but if done correctly, decorating your outdoor space with furniture can give it a completely different appearance and make a garden feel a lot more homely and functional too!

There are plenty of opportunities for decorating your outdoor space with furniture; here are just a few to get you started:

1. Creating a BBQ Area:

A BBQ area is a popular choice for outdoor spaces as it gives people a chance to meet up and have a bite to eat while spending time outside in the garden, and because not everyone likes to cook, having a BBQ area is ideal.

To set up an area for BBQs in your garden, you’ll need a table, chairs, and garden lighting to illuminate the space so people can see what they’re doing and avoid accidents in the dark!

2. Creating a Tea Station:

Setting up a tea station in your garden can be a great way to make the most of the outside space and add another area for friends and family to enjoy.

A tea station usually consists of a table and some chairs, and you can add some garden lights to create an ambience and add some ornaments or potted plants to give the area your unique touch.

3. Setting Up a Hangout Spot:

If you love to spend time in the garden relaxing in a hammock, set up an area for hanging in the garden can be a great way to make the most of the outside space.

This spot is perfect for unwinding after a long day, reading a book, or drinking tea. You’ll need a hammock stand for your swing chair to create a spot for your hammock.

4. Sitting Area:

Sitting areas offer the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast or chat with your friends over a few drinks in the evening. They are also useful if you are entertaining outdoors, as they’re a great place to set drinks down when people come over to visit!

To set up an area for sitting in your garden, you’ll need some chairs and a table, and you can add some garden lighting to provide extra visibility at night or to create a soft glow as the sun goes down.

5. Relaxation Zone:

A relaxing area is perfect for winding down after a long, hard day at work, so it’s important to make sure you have plenty of comfortable seating in the garden to relax!

To set up a relaxing area in your garden, you’ll need some loungers or comfortable chairs and an area for relaxation, such as a hammock or swing chair. To add a bit of character to the area, you can add some décor such as a coffee table, a rug, a few ornaments or potted plants to add colour and comfort to the space.

6. Reading Nook:

A reading nook is perfect if you want to create a cosy and relaxing area in your garden and enjoy reading a book or two on a sunny day or an evening, curled up with a blanket and a cup of tea!

To set up a reading nook in your garden, you’ll need a comfy chair or an outdoor sofa and a coffee table or side table to put some refreshments on, and a great book! Adding a few soft blankets and pillows can help create a special reading spot, and you can add some garden lighting to provide extra warmth or create a soft glow as the sun sets.

7. Sunbed Spot:

If you like to spend time sunbathing in the garden, you can set up a space for your sunbed or even an outdoor sauna to create a special spot for relaxation.

To set up your sunbed spot, you’ll need a sun lounger, some outdoor lighting, and a parasol or umbrella to provide shade on a hot day or a bright sunny morning.

Summary

Now that you know what to look for when purchasing garden furniture, it’s time to start shopping!

Keep in mind the different types of furniture available and how they can be used to enhance your outdoor space. Remember that proper maintenance will help keep your furniture looking great for years to come.

And finally, don’t forget to have fun with your decorating—after all, enjoying your backyard is half the point! Contact us if you have questions about choosing or caring for garden furniture — we’re always happy to help.