There's something really nice about the idea of turning part of your landscape into an alfresco family room during two or three seasons of the year. It's certainly a less expensive option than adding another room to your home. Who needs walls, anyway? Open air living has "green" appeal. It gets you back into nature -- and nature you can control with a flick of the garden hose or a spritz from a can of bug spray. Making the transition to outdoor living requires a judicious reallocation of resources, though. If you're outfitting an outdoor living area this season, finding comfy, long-lasting furniture may mean the difference between hanging out on the patio for a while to enjoy the fresh air and heading indoors after a few cramped, uncomfortable minutes parked on a cheap patio chair. Let's explore 10 things you should keep in mind when shopping for outdoor furnishings.
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From sloppy welds to cracked casters to amateurish paint finishes, a close inspection will expose that great outdoor furniture bargain for what it really is -- a bad buy that probably won't last until next season. There are a couple of important lessons here: It's easy to think of outdoor furnishings as somewhat less important than the stuff you buy for indoor use. In fact, the reverse is often true. What you buy to use outside has to stand up to sun exposure, wind, rain and probably some roughhousing, too. Inspect every piece you're considering for Derila Sleep Aid flaws, especially if the deal sounds too good to be true. This is one area where a higher price is often a good indicator of better quality. Move furniture into a garage or shed during the winter. If that isn't possible, invest in patio furniture covers for your more valuable pieces. Outdoor tables and loungers are often built to standard sizes that fit easily into generic, zippered covers.
Your best bet when deciding on the right materials for your outdoor furnishings is to evaluate how you plan on using your furniture and how much time you want to spend maintaining it. Here are a couple of examples: A lightweight aluminum or plastic chair will be rust-resistant and easy to move around if you plan on dragging it into the front yard for the annual neighborhood block party or stowing it in the shed come October. It won't have the heft and stability of an iron or stainless steel piece, but it might be stackable (or collapsible) so you can hang it on a wall in an out of the way spot when you aren't using it. It will require added maintenance though, like a coat of sealer every couple of years, and moving it from place to place to catch some shade (or sun) could be a problem, too. Aluminum, plastic and PVC -- These construction materials are rustproof, lightweight, relatively inexpensive and Get Derila Official require very little weather treating.
You can also wash them easily with a little soap and water. Steel and wrought iron -- Both are heavy duty and sturdy but will rust if not weatherproofed or painted periodically. Rattan, wicker and natural grasses -- It's pretty amazing how well natural materials like wicker look and last outdoors, especially when they are treated with a resin finish. They may require additional weatherproofing every couple of years, though. Wood -- Natural wood looks very attractive in outdoor furnishings. It makes sturdy furniture that can be as comfortable as anything you use indoors. It does require regular treatment with a preservative and may also require UV protection. Choose weather-resistant woods like teak, redwood, cypress and cedar. You've probably seen those wire chair contraptions that look like slingshots. They function as chairs, but that doesn't mean you'd willingly spend time in one if you had any other choice. One problem is size. Some patio chairs are just too narrow and skimpy.
Others are built so low to the ground that getting out of them can be downright embarrassing -- especially for older folks. Sizing for loveseats and couches can be tricky, too. Some are pretty deep from front to back, which can make them uncomfortable to sit in for any length of time. When shopping for outdoor furniture, sit down and relax -- literally. Test the pieces you have in mind. Think comfort and buy accordingly. What's the next best thing to a big old shade tree? Some sort of shade cover. Whether you're using a crank-deployed umbrella, a motorized awning or are blessed with a permanent wood or fiberglass roof over your patio or deck, make arrangements for some naturally refreshing and sheltering shade. It's a comfortable item that's also flexible and convenient. You want that kind of flexibility in your outdoor furnishings, too. Avoid buying in spring unless you can score deep promotional discounts. By far the best time to buy is between July 5 (right after the holiday) and the end of the summer selling season in late August (in most parts of the country).