Tips For Buying Outdoor Furniture

by Christine Bernardo October 02, 2018

Welcome to my humble abode and the first of many blogs! Hooray the warmer weather is on its way! What? You haven’t purchased your outdoor setting I hear you say? Fortunately, we carry almost all of our stock and they are available now!

With over 10 years plus experience in the Outdoor Furniture Retail Sector, I can share with you our tips and info that will make it easy to select your outdoor furniture and customise your outdoor space. Whatever your space, taste and lifestyle I am sure that myself and the team at Dress Your Space can help! Please keep up with these blogs and our regular updates.

Buying outdoor furniture is no easy task, I often see the look of despair on our customers face when they first enter our store. Gone are the days where the outdoor furniture was an after-thought. Outdoor living is a true Aussie way of life and I for one get very excited about the possibilities of transforming or creating an outdoor space to compliment your home and to suit your lifestyle.

Here are a few general things to consider:

1. Think about your outdoor space(s)
Begin by thinking about how you would like your outdoor space(s) to function. Would you like it to serve as a dining and/or lounge area? Would you like to entertain regularly in this space? The size of your family? Is a peaceful reading or napping nook what you are seeking? Are you wanting to spruce up or create a functional poolside area?

Make a list of the many things you would like to do in the space and use it as a guide to determine what type of furniture is necessary. If the primary function of your large outdoor area is to host casual evening drinks, there may be no need for a dining table. Opt for ample comfortable deep seated lounge seating, several side tables or bar tables, and a fire pit for example.

If you are low on space consider a compact dining setting which gives you the ability to entertain in style and then be tucked away when not in use, look for stackable chairs that can be easily stored. Bench settings are a great option for narrow spaces as they allow for the benches to be easily be tucked under the table.

Extension tables are extremely versatile choice for those that love to entertain or with large families, as they can easily be converted from a smaller table to a much larger one in a few swift moves.

Modular lounges are reconfigurable, which gives you the freedom to change your furniture layout whenever you want. All pieces are separate which makes them multipurpose. Ottomans can be used as a chaise when you feel like stretching out, but also can be moved from place to place when needed. A modular lounge also gives you the flexibility to buy new pieces if you want to extend to a larger setting at a later stage.

Be sure to get your measurements and write these down before you go shopping. Rule of thumb is to allow a metre of space around your dining setting/lounge to ensure comfortable access and avoid over-crowding of your outdoor space. Once you have your setting measurements, a great idea is to cut out cardboard or newspaper and lay it out to map how the furniture will fit in your space. (This can also work indoors for furniture, wall prints/mirrors and rugs too!)

2. Style/Design
What outdoor furniture will suit and compliment your existing home interior design? Do you want to achieve a modern, contemporary, timeless look? Do you want a casual or elegant space?

The outdoor furniture material, colours of chair/lounge fabrics will all play a part in the design. Mixing and matching furniture materials are a great way to add texture and a unique flair to your outdoor area.

Pick furniture pieces in neutral tones such as black, grey, beige and timber. These tones will work well with a variety of design styles and environments. Accessories like cushions, candles, plants, bean bags, rugs and throws can add a splash of colour and are easily updated with the change of the season or whenever you feel like you need to refresh. Neutral furniture are also great because they can open a space and make it look larger.

3. Comfort
Take a seat before you buy, we all have different body shapes and chairs/lounges are a personal thing! Comfortable outdoor furniture, just like indoor furniture, will be used regularly as opposed to uninviting outdoor furniture, which might look great but have not-so-good comfort.

Consider an all-weather rug to ground your outdoor furniture. Textile advancements in recent years have brought many quick-drying outdoor rugs to the market. Soft underfoot and rich in texture, an outdoor rug will lend the comforts of indoors to the great outdoors.

Outdoor Umbrellas can add plenty of shade so you can enjoy your outdoor space but can also enhance your outdoor living area.

4. Versatility
Functional furniture pieces which can be also used as storage are a great idea for areas with limited space. Combining coffee tables with storage is a great way to save space and store away items like outdoor cushions when they are not in use.
An ottoman that doubles as extra seating for your next bbq and a simple bench that will stand alone or match up to an alfresco dining table are essential for frequently used outdoor spaces. Outdoor bean bags and sun loungers can also add additional seating if required

5. Care & Maintenance
Reserve the bulk of your free time for enjoying your space as opposed to maintaining furniture when you purchase outdoor furniture. Our aluminum, teak, merbau, stone, ceramic, resin and all-weather wicker pieces are designed to weather our outdoor conditions and are easy to keep clean. Furniture made using these forgiving materials will look wonderful for years.

If your furniture is completely exposed, add years to the life of your outdoor furniture and/or cushions by storing it in a protected location, such as a garage through the colder months. Even the toughest furniture, such as teak or cast aluminum, will last longer if it is placed in storage when not in use. If your storage space is limited, look for outdoor furniture that folds, is or is easily taken apart for compact storage.

Alternatively, we also offer a range of quality covers in various sizes and these can be custom made to order.

6. Quality
The old adage "you get what you pay for" is true for outdoor furniture. Plastic resin chairs look great and will keep their good looks for a year or two out in the sun, but in time they will become brittle and lose their vibrant coloring. The same is true for timber products and wicker pieces. Shop with care; checking product information and consumer reviews, warranty on product, before making a big purchase.

Come and visit us in store to find your inspiration or for a consultation, alternatively browse our outdoor selection online. If you have any queries please call or contact us at info@dressyourspace.com.au