Buying outdoor furniture can seem like a pretty daunting task, whether you’re looking for smaller items like tables and chairs, or whether you’re looking at bigger structures like garages and sheds. But there are a few things to keep in mind when you first start looking around:
Material
A lot of people automatically look at metal or “industrial” plastic items, because in theory, these seem like they’d be more weather-resistant. But wooden outdoor furniture actually tends to be more durable than both metal and plastic, because it doesn’t bend under pressure or under the hot sun. Moreover, wooden outdoor furniture tends to have a classic, timeless look and certain woods are fairly easy to refurbish and restore if they start looking dull. There are tons of choices when you go with wooden materials — every type of wood has a different aesthetic properties, and furniture specialists will always choose the types that are both visually appealing and very durable.
Style
Something like wooden outdoor furniture is meant to be an investment, and it’s meant to bring a little bit of your own personality into your yard. Don’t worry if you find pieces that are a bit more expensive than you had planned — as long as you know that the items are high-quality and that you won’t get sick of the style over time, then something a little more expensive is definitely worth the price.
Price
Speaking of price, it’s worth noting that buying furniture in sets rather than in individual pieces will often save quite a bit of money (not to mention that everything will match!). Again, make sure that you think of your furniture purchase as an investment, rather than a short-term impulse buy. Cheaper items are likely to fall apart quickly, and you’ll end up spending more money if you have to keep replacing them.
Now it’s up to you — what are your personal tips for picking out the perfect outdoor furniture pieces? Be sure to let us know in the comments section!
