Buying furniture, especially for the garden or patio, sounds straightforward enough, right? You visit a few shops, compare some designs, and pick out accessories specially outfitted for outdoor furniture. But there is more to this shopping experience, as you need to consider factors that impact both the quality and durability of the furniture. Here are a few simple tips and buying suggestions to check out before deciding on a budget and ordering outdoor furniture.

Consider your needs
What is your real need for new furniture, and where do you want to place it? Are you buying outdoor furniture for the balcony at home, outside in the garden, or even special outdoor furniture for restaurants? There are also different types of materials that you need to compare, keeping in mind furniture placement. For example, if it’s garden and lawn furniture with lawn ornaments, these must be made of materials that can withstand the weather. Don’t just order the first set featuring a great deal. Make a checklist and compare products that match your needs.

Always try before buying
Even if you plan to order furniture online, you can still go ahead and try out a few similar versions on display at the nearest furniture showroom. Trying furniture is reassuring as you get an idea of the product and any additional accessories that come with the set. You can even compare specifications and dimensions to see if the patio or garden furniture is suitable for the space you plan to install it in. Remember, where you live makes a huge difference, so consider aluminum materials for hot and dry weather. Metal remains unaffected by sunlight and harsher weather conditions, provided it’s been treated with rust and corrosion-proof chemicals. Many fancy home furnishing shops even feature complete dining sets for the outdoors made from stone that remain unaffected by heat, cold, or rain.

Compare different outdoor furniture types
Patio furniture and outdoor accessories can be made with wood, aluminum, resin wicker, wrought iron, and steel. Aluminum outdoor furniture is easy to clean, resists rust and moisture, and is lightweight. Wood furniture has more customization and material options, with some woods being naturally weather resistant as well. Resin or wicker outdoor furniture is durable, lightweight, weatherproof, and even UV ray resistant. So the design won’t fade away with repeated exposure to extreme weather. Wrought iron is strong and sturdy, designed to last long enough. And it’s best suited for dry weather conditions. So, if you live somewhere where it’s sunny most of the year around, this is a better option. You can even consider different types of fabric options, including acrylic, olefin, polyester, and foam, for the padding in the cushions and seating. Remember, brands these days offer a ton of customizations, so it’s really easy to mix and match materials.

Pay attention to comfort and storage
Comfort is of utmost importance when buying outdoor furniture for the garden. So, ensure the materials and structure is proper for children, adults, and seniors to enjoy resting. For example, chairs and loungers may not come with cushions, so you can always order some to add extra comfort. The upholstery and fabric need to be weather resistant, so be wary of these factors while choosing. It’s also important that all this extra furniture can be easily shifted into a storage space for the winter or before spring. Even the best weather-resistant materials cannot survive in a hailstorm or freezing temperatures. So as soon as the weather changes, have the smaller accessories and furnishings shifted into storage indoors. You can move the patio chairs and table into the shed and lock it up securely before the weather changes again.

Set a budget
Three critical elements that determine the price of new furniture; shopping season, materials used, and brands. The type of furniture, the brand selling special outdoor furniture, and the time of purchase determine the price of the complete unit. So, take some time to compare products and ensure their durability before zeroing down on a workable budget. Look for less expensive materials if you don’t have the storage space to shift the furniture indoors when the weather changes. Also, keep an eye out for thrift and yard sale outlets where you’ll enjoy massive discounts on complete orders. You can even buy second-hand furniture and have it repainted and reupholstered to restore its former glory. It’s possible to get good outdoor furniture repair work done and save a few hundred bucks in the process.

https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/patio/designs/8-tips-patio-furniture/

https://www.thespruce.com/buying-furniture-1391734

https://www.familyleisure.com/buyer-guides/patio-furniture-buying-guide

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/20/realestate/outdoor-furniture-how-to-choose.html

https://liveouter.com/blog/patio-furniture