All-Weather Furniture for Your Outdoor Space
By Melissa Ureksoy
The emphasis placed on outdoor design is truly in keeping with the times. We all need a place to relax and rejuvenate at the end of a long work week. We use our outdoor space to play with our children and pets, dine with friends or simply to relax with a book. No matter what your intention, you’ll need to consider many things before planning your outdoor space.
The first thing you should bear in mind is the main function of the space. You might want to set up an outside dining area or a poolside tiki bar. There are so many style options available today! Knowing in advance exactly how you intend to use the space will help tremendously when choosing a style of furniture. You’ll want to make sure you are buying all-weather furniture.
Whether you want to go with cast aluminum or all-weather wicker, there are many different varieties choose from. You can find everything from luxurious deep seating options with modern flair, to simple sling seating that will dry quickly around a pool area, or classic wicker that ranges in style from quaint and beachy to exotic and ethnic.
It’s important to choose furniture that suits the climate in which you live, as well as your personal taste. If you live in a humid climate or around salt water you would be better off to go with cast aluminum furniture with strap or sling seating, as cushions that stay damp tend to mildew. If you live in a cold weather climate where you will only use your furniture for a few months of the year you may wish to choose stackable chairs that can be stowed away for the winter. Wood furniture is beautiful, but also high maintenance. If you don’t want to keep up with the maintenance on a yearly basis, don’t go with wood.
You should make sure that the paint, decor and plants complement the feel of the furniture you choose. For instance, if you’re going for a casual beach theme, you may want to look for light colored all weather wicker with striped cushions, white or blue throw pillows and a blue, sandy beige and antique white paint scheme. Keep in mind the colors of the natural surroundings of the beach as you plan your design. You can add some sea shells and grow tall ornamental grasses around your seating area for privacy. For ambiance, place candles in glass hurricanes with sand and shells in the base . . . You get the idea!
Be sure to have the dimensions of your outdoor space handy when heading for the stores or shopping online. You should have plenty of room to move around your area without bumping into your guest’s legs, or worse yet, knocking them in the head with an hors d’oeuvres tray! I hope this helps you in your design planning and that you go forth and create your very own perfect outdoor space.
Below are some excellent articles that I believe will also help you when planning your space. I’ll be adding more as I find them. Cheers!
For more information check out my all weather furniture hubpage at http://hubpages.com/hub/All-Weather-Furniture
