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After a long day at work, kicking back on your deck with an ice-cold drink and dinner cooking on the grill has a lot of appeal. Oh, and some nice furniture to rest your back on would be nice, too.
Spending time relaxing in the backyard has proven beneficial to your well-being, so this space must provide comfort, not just physically but mentally.
Your deck is your little getaway, so why skimp on the outdoor furniture? Adding beautiful, functional, and comfortable outdoor furniture is easy and lets you appreciate your space more while you relax.
At Fisher’s Backyard Structures, we live and breathe backyard living, and in this blog, we’re going to talk about choosing the outdoor furniture that’s right for you. We’ll explore different types of outdoor furniture, look at furniture materials, and talk about how you can maintain and care for your furniture.
So, let’s kick back and get started!
Patio furniture tends to be single-purpose, designed for simplicity and maintenance. That’s not to say it all looks bland—there are many designs to match the style of your home. Let’s look at a few you might consider.
There are many choices for outdoor seating—single-seat armchairs, lounge chairs, and, let’s not forget, the iconic Adirondack chairs.
These can also be paired with matching sofas for aesthetics and symmetry. Since you’ll be in the backyard to relax, comfort is essential, so we encourage you to visit a showroom to try the furniture rather than buy it online sight unseen.
Enjoy your grilled dinner or the company of friends and family by sitting around a table and enjoying the outdoor weather. Most outdoor dining tables have matching sets of chairs for the best combination of form and function.
Picnic tables are also popular, adding a touch of fun and summer to your backyard. However, you might want to consider whether the picnic table's aesthetics mesh with your deck’s.
Is it seating? Or is it a table? How about both? The versatile ottoman adds extra functionality as a place to put your feet up, as a coffee table, or as additional seating for a large gathering.
A patio is much more than just some chairs and tables. Let’s look at a few extra items that add beauty and functionality to your deck.
A lazy afternoon in the backyard wouldn’t be pleasant if you got too hot or sunburned. Consider adding a patio umbrella to provide some shade from the hot sun.
For a splash of color and padding, outdoor rugs are available in various sizes to brighten your deck. The best outdoor rugs are made from synthetic materials like polypropylene to handle high moisture and heavy foot traffic.
If the lack of a breeze makes hanging out on your deck uncomfortable, consider a patio fan to move the air around. The increased airflow provides comfort and much-needed cooling.
Plants and flowers at the front of the house increase curb appeal, but you can use them to decorate your deck, too. A few potted seasonal plants and flowers will add some beautiful color to your deck. You can arrange them using symmetry or asymmetry, depending on your preference.
The best part? You can do many of these on a budget by hitting a thrift store! Personalizing your space can be fun without breaking the bank.
Not only do you need to decide on what furniture to have on your deck, but you’ll also need to consider materials. Some of these material choices will affect the style of furniture you get. Are you looking for something lightweight and sustainable? Or perhaps sturdy and solid? Do you have time to do a little upkeep on your furniture? Consider these when looking at materials, such as:
Most metal outdoor furniture is made of powder-coated steel or wrought iron for strength and durability, though aluminum furniture is also available.
Wrought iron is the go-to for ornate designs, while steel and aluminum furniture are typically used for more contemporary designs.
With heavier steel or iron, you won’t have to worry about it getting blown about in the most severe weather, but be sure to secure your lightweight aluminum furniture when winds start to pick up outside.
Finally, don’t forget that metal gets hot in the sun. Check how hot your furniture is before slumping into it, or you’ll get a sudden reminder of those sheet metal slides in the playgrounds of your childhood!
Rattan and bamboo are often confused with each other, but they are two different materials widely used to create all kinds of indoor and outdoor furniture. Bamboo is a stiff grass (yes, it’s grass!) that is harder than mahogany yet lightweight, making it highly suitable for furniture.
Rattan, on the other hand, is harvested from palm trees and weaved into wicker furniture. Like bamboo, it is lightweight and durable but also flexible so that it can be weaved into various shapes, such as the ball used in the Malaysian game of Sepak Takraw.
Both of these materials are highly sustainable and cheap. If you purchase them from reliable sources, you can ensure that they have been grown and harvested responsibly. So, relax in your backyard while being eco-friendly!
Traditional wood furniture has been around since men discovered they could cut a tree down and sit on it. Methods and ways to treat wood may have changed over time, but the tradition of craftsmanship hasn’t.
Lumber furniture made from woods with high-occurring oils, such as teak, cypress, redwood, acacia, or cedar, is ideal for outdoor furniture. Consider checking with reputable outdoor furniture dealers to ensure you get a quality product built using the proper materials and methods.
For those who like the look of wood but don’t want to deal with lumber furniture upkeep, polywood lumber, or poly for short, is made from recycled and reusable high-density polyethylene plastic molded with the texture and appearance of wood.
Rain, shine, or snow, poly furniture is resistant to the elements, and you won’t have to do more than dust your furniture off before you can enjoy it!
In addition to our standard poly furniture, we are also a dealer of Varamora modular poly furniture! Experience comfort and Amish craftsmanship combined into a beautiful, functional, and clever system that reconfigures and grows with your needs.
The important thing to remember is that everything on your deck will be sitting outdoors, thus exposed to the elements. Purchase your outdoor furniture from reputable dealers so you can be sure that the major components of your furniture are water-resistant and can withstand various weather conditions.
Remember how we mentioned that everything needs to be water-resistant? That includes the cushions, too! Here, we’ll discuss how to keep that furniture pristine.
To keep your metal furniture in good condition, check it for rust at the end and beginning of the outdoor season. Fortunately, cleaning the rust off is simple, and you can quickly repaint the exposed areas with any hardware store spray paint.
These sustainable materials are lightweight, so keep them indoors during severe weather so they don’t get blown over. Rattan and bamboo are ideally suited for spaces under shade or cover, as sun exposure bleaches and deteriorates the wood. If you want to leave them outdoors, clean and treat your furniture twice a year with gentle washing and linseed oil treatment.
A reasonable care and cleaning regimen will ensure that your beautiful wood furniture lasts for years. However, a distressed or vintage appearance on the wood furniture can also be attractive. Because wood can acquire a patina over time, It’s possible back off on the maintenance, allowing the elements to weather the furniture, or add the patina yourself.
They weren’t kidding when they said that poly furniture cold sit outside rain, snow or shine. However it can still get dirty if left outside, and mildew might form in areas not exposed to sunlight. Sweep or brush off any dirt or debris accumulation, then hose down and allow to dry. Mildew can be cleaned off easily with a simple vinegar solution and rag.
Outdoor cushions are made from performance fabric designed to withstand the wear and tear of the elements better, but that doesn’t mean you should just leave them outdoors the entire time. Dirt, mud, leaves, mold, bird droppings—nature generally does not like cushions.
To remove most outdoor cushion stains, brush them to dislodge dirt and debris, then gently scrub with lukewarm water and mild detergent or oxygen boosters.
Ideally, it is recommended that all furniture, regardless of material, be cleaned, then stored or covered when not in use for extended periods. Even with frequent maintenance, reducing your furniture’s exposure to the elements during the offseason will extend its lifespan and reduce the amount of cleanup at a later period.
Want to learn more about outdoor furniture maintenance? Martha Stewart has some good tips on caring for your deck furnishings.
At Fisher’s Backyard Structures, we believe you deserve the best outdoor living can offer, and we want you to do it in style.
Building and decorating your backyard is an investment, and we have specials and financing offers to help you make that happen.
Contact us today, and let’s get that dream backyard started!
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