Top Features and Benefits to Look for in Outdoor Furniture
You love the outdoors and want to put together the best outdoor furniture arrangement that you can. But where to start? While looks are important, they aren’t everything. What are the most important things to think about when you buy outdoor furniture?
In this blog, we share the top considerations we think everyone buying backyard furniture should think about. You want the best value for your space, so let this be your guide to beautifying your slice of paradise.
Durability and Longevity
Outdoor furniture can get expensive, so making your investment last is more important than ever. Cheaper options may save money in the short term, but if you need to replace your set after only a few years, is it really worth it?
Wood and metal can look really beautiful, but keep in mind they’re especially prone to weathering, rusting, and general wear and tear, especially in harsh-weather climates. For a longer investment, consider furniture made from recycled plastic. There are plenty of options that look just as good as real wood, and they’re incredibly durable, withstanding the tests of time and tough environments.
Maintenance Considerations
Your outdoor furniture should help make your backyard sanctuary more relaxing. With that in mind, the less time you need to spend on maintenance, the more time you can spend enjoying your yard. Plastic lumber can be easily cleaned with just soap and water. No need for harsh chemicals, staining, or painting: Just let your stress melt away in your outdoor haven. For tips on how to best care for Bahia Verde outdoor furniture, read our care and maintenance guide.
Eco-Friendliness
Speaking of easy cleaning without rough chemicals, another benefit of plastic furniture is its limited impact on the environment. Furniture pieces made from recycled plastic use materials that have already been processed, which helps reduce carbon emissions and keeps unnecessary trash from adding to landfills. As an added bonus, many pieces are built to mimic the look and texture of real wood.
If you’re hoping to reduce your carbon footprint, recycled plastic is a great choice for outdoor furniture material.
Comfort
To aid relaxation, the outdoor furniture you choose should naturally be comfortable. Comfort is most often associated with seating, and while this is true, cushions and other accessories shouldn’t be ignored.
Starting with seating, the most comfortable options often include contoured seating and tall backs for optimal relaxation support. Relaxation shouldn’t be hard, so the best seats are the easiest to sit back in.
We offer two options like this with our Waterfall and Corolla Comfort Height Adirondack chairs. These chairs include taller seats that don’t require as much bending making things easier on the knees and back.
For additional comfort, consider an ottoman to provide a place to put your feet up. With the right styling, ottomans are easy to match with an Adirondack chair.
Besides the chairs themselves, consider adding cushions, blankets, and pillows to facilitate optimal comfort. As weather gets cooler, blankets are ideal for keeping warm while spending time outside with friends and family.
Convenience
Another key aspect of outdoor furniture relaxation is convenience. It’s hard to relax if you have to get up from your comfy chair to grab a drink every few minutes, so consider a place to keep essentials like drinks and pitchers within arm’s reach.
When it comes to keeping outdoor essentials close at hand, tables can be a key feature. Besides larger dining tables for enjoying meals outside, consider conversation and side tables to sprinkle among seating.
Conversation tables (AKA coffee tables) are great for outdoor game nights, holding snacks, decks of cards, drinks, and more. These are also perfect for helping you get creative with decorations for Fall, Spring, or outdoor celebrations.
As you sit back and enjoy your backyard, a handy side table helps keep a refreshing beverage nearby to optimize your calm. Folding side tables are also the perfect beachside accessory: keep a book nearby or stay hydrated as you soak up the sun.
As an alternative to the side table (or in addition to it), a cupholder accessory is perfect for keeping an ice-cold drink at hand.
Style and Design
Last, but certainly not least, think about the style and design you’d like for your outdoor furniture arrangement. What fits your outdoor aesthetic best? Does a traditional look suit your space, or would a bold, modern set fit better?
Whichever style you choose, it’s important to keep things consistent across each furniture type. If you choose modern style chairs, make sure tables, accessories, and other items fit in with the design. Also make sure your colors either match or complement each other. Consider the hues of blue, red, brown, and more that may be present in each furniture item. To help coordinate colors, we offer the option to shop by color.
Make Your Outdoor Furniture Area the Best it Can Be.
We hope this guide has been helpful for you as you consider what you’ll need for your outdoor furniture space. For additional tips on how to make a cozy patio space, check out our blog here.
What else is important to you when purchasing outdoor furniture? Let us know in the comments!