Archive for September, 2009
When it comes to outdoor furniture, there is nothing quite like the natural beauty of wood. Patio furniture used to be made of plastic in most cases, and was not expected to last for a long time or enhance the backyard with any particular style. Now outdoor living is a major part of the modern lifestyle, though, with everything from pool parties to backyard barbecues to evening cocktail parties under the stars. But if you are lucky enough to have a set of teak outdoor furniture or any other type wood furnishings in your backyard, it is important to take care of it so it will be a part of your home for many years to come.
High quality outdoor furniture is finished with protective coatings and appointed with weather resistant cushions, but it is still going to be susceptible to the elements at some point. If you have invested in a fine set of wood furniture it can last as long as you want it to if you follow a few simple steps. The first step is choosing a wood that is known for standing up to the toughest weather conditions. Eucalyptus and teak outdoor furniture are typically considered the best choices for this reason. Although they may cost a little bit more they will last much longer than other types of wood, so it is more than worth the price tag once you consider the return on your investment.
Whatever type of wood your patio furniture is made from, it will always be important to clean it regularly. Your annual spring cleaning is an excellent time to purchase a commercial product that will remove any mildew, sap, pollen, or other material that has accumulated on the furniture. Just make sure to follow instructions carefully and take your time so you know you’ve cleaned every surface. It’s also a good idea to purchase waterproof covers for your outdoor living space, which can be placed over your wood dining set during the winter or when you know you won’t be using it for a while. Otherwise moisture will collect and could eventually warp the furniture with rotting and other forms of damage. Also make sure to wipe off moisture stains from drinks and food so it doesn’t leave unattractive staining.
With a little extra care, your wooden outdoor patio furniture can provide the perfect backyard setting for a lifetime.
There have been many trends in outdoor furniture that have come and gone over the years, but the latest furniture pieces on the outdoor market have made a shift towards more permanent styles. While the modern look of outdoor living is very “of the moment,” these furnishings are built to last for many seasons without skipping a beat. Many of the patio furniture styles are appointed with weather-resistant cushions, for example, that can withstand many storms and still look beautiful once the sun comes out with a little light cleaning. And when the fabric starts to look old and outdated all you need to do is switch the outdoor patio furniture cushions for a whole new look. From teak to wicker, patio furniture is definitely not made to be disposable like it used to be.
There was a time in the not so distant past when the only outdoor furniture people had in their backyards were plastic or web lawn chairs, chaise lounges and side tables. These would typically last through one season and need to be replaced with new patio furniture the next year, but since they were so cheap it didn’t really matter. These cheap plastic pieces didn’t exactly inspire the most sumptuous outdoor living and enjoyable backyard entertaining, though, and they did not do much more than provide a function of seating and table space. While the plastic and web stuff is still available, new choices such as teak patio furniture that are made to last have taken a prominent place on the design market.
Most people enjoying being outdoors, whether it is a backyard, patio, balcony, deck, porch, swimming pool area, outside kitchen or sun room. There are many outdoor living inspirations that a home owner or designer can take to create a space in the backyard that is as comfortable and attractive as the indoor environment, if not more so. A collection of wicker patio furniture that is designed with a tropical theme, for example, can set the mood for pool parties and backyard barbeques. Or teak patio furniture with a rich finish and bold orange colored weather-resistant cushions can give the space a very modern look. Outdoor sofas, love seats, coffee tables, dining table/chair sets, loungers, club chairs and other outdoor furniture pieces can create the same kind of look and feel you would expect in a living room or casual dining room.
