Outdoor Living Furniture

How To Transform Your Life And Your Yard

Outdoor living furniture alone does not a room make. True transformation only happens when your furniture enhances the aesthetic, increases your comfort, and adds purpose and functionality. And who said entertaining is the only legitimate purpose of an outdoor room? What about secluded alfresco bed and bath suites, and outdoor showers, and fresh air studios, retreats, and outbuildings, and open-air offices, and outdoor kitchens? Today, there's outdoor living furniture for all these rooms and more! And to be well dressed, you need art and objects d'art! These little treasures infuse your outdoor rooms with indoor ambiance. It's the final layer that adds style, anchors your space, and takes function to the limit. The Guide helps you choose the right casual living outdoor furniture for your alfresco retreat. And helps you define the line between really fabulous outdoor living furniture and just a table and some chairs stuck out back.     You are cordially invited to bounce...Outdoor Christmas Decorating|Outdoor Christmas Trees|Outdoor Christmas Display|Outdoor Christmas Wreath|Outdoor Christmas Lights|Outdoor Showers|Gazebo Ideas|Outdoor Rooms|Outdoor Living Furniture|Unique Wind Chimes|Garden Art From Trash| Solar Garden Fountains|Gazebo Lights|The Cheap Gazebo?|Gazebo Kits|Gazebo Hardware|Wrought Iron Gazebo | Solar Bird Baths|Small Garden Ponds|Landscape Ponds|Pond Waterfalls|Preformed Pond Liner| Garden Pond Kits     Hi, Merci here. Outdoor rooms are the last frontier in home decor. And outdoor living is here to stay! With so many manufacturers stepping up their game, outdoor living patio furniture ain't what it used to be. Today's offerings rival any choices you have for indoor comfort and style. Teak, red cedar, molded plastic and wrought iron are all traditional favorites. But today, we have more choices than ever before. Now, there's cast aluminum, galvanized metals dipped in zinc baths, rust-resistant steel with enamel finishes, faux wicker and rattan, and exotic woods like ipe and mahogany. And don't forget mix media.  Wood tables pared with woven chairs. Woven seats on metal frames. Sling-style seats attached to wood chairs. And stone slabs that make seriously stunning tables when perched on top of wood and stone bases. Powder-coated cast aluminum looks like wrought iron, but it's lightweight and doesn't rust. Furniture made from recycled plastic looks just like wood, and you don't have to paint them, and they don't rot. Every season brings new reasons to gather with friends and family outdoors. So be ready for any occasion in any weather with stylish outdoor living furniture pieces layered with big cushy pillows, overstuffed upholstered sofas wrapped in expressive fabrics that harmonize with nature, and that are outfitted with storage ottomans.   Top of page   Outdoor Living Furniture Materials   Wood - $$-$$$ Teak and other tropical hardwoods Redwood, cedar, cypress and pressure-treated is more affordable Classically blends with the outdoor environment Sturdy and withstands windy areas Doesn't retain heat or cold Non tropical woods need a regular coat of protectant Can last up to 40 years Hard surface Needs pillows for comfortable extended seating Iron - $$ Heavy-duty & sturdy Needs painting or powder-coating to be rust-proof Lots of styles to choose from Retains heat and cold Hard surface Needs pillows for comfortable extended seating Aluminum - $ Won't rust Will fade and pit Solid aluminum is heavier Retains heat and cold Hard surface Needs pillows for comfortable extended seating Woven - $$ Marine-varnished reeds, plastic-wrapped fabric fiber, or acrylic strips Sturdy metal frame Comfortable woven covers Last up to 30 years Dries slowly Comfortable with or without cushions Plastic - $-$$ Resin on recycled-plastic construction Lightweight Easy to clean Stackable Lots of color choices Comfortable with or without cushions     Top of page       Outdoor Living Furniture Seating Styles     Swings, Rockers & Gliders - $-$$ Favorites for porches Traditional garden styling Relaxed movement Bar Stools - $-$$ Variety of heights available -- measure your bar for the best fit Stools with backs and armrests occupy more space Swivels for easy access Chaise Lounges - $-$$$ Sunbathing and napping favorite Perfect for pools, patios, & decks Can be awkward in a grouping Cushioned Chairs & Sofas - $$-$$$ Indoor furniture style and comfort Easy to mix and max for groupings Lots of finishes and fabric choices Garden Benches - $-$$ Traditional garden style Can be used in your outdoor room or somewhere in the landscape Hard surface Needs pillows for comfortable extended seating Hammocks - $-$$$ Perfect for napping Needs to be hung on a frame or post Occupies lots of space Awkward in furniture groupings Built-in - $$-$$$ Lots of visual impact Very functional Easily adds storage space Can do double duty as deck railing Hard surface Needs pillows for comfortable extended seating   Top of page   Outdoor Living Furniture Compatibility     Outdoor living furniture that complements your style makes the most of your outdoor space by accommodating all your fresh air activities. Love dining alfresco? An obvious choice is a traditional patio dining set. Practical doesn't have to be boring. Some dining set styles have a center bowl that doubles as a firepit.  Got a party that's been simmering on the back burner? Outdoor sectionals with weather resistant cushions work well. Group pieces around a low table to encourage conversation and lingering over beverages. Sometimes limiting seating can even inspire guest to mingle. Love your solo time for reading outdoors? Get a hammock and the hardest decision you'll have to make is whether to turn the page or take a nap. Is your space limited? Don't let a small space cramp your outdoor style. Use space-savvy furniture like bistro tables, hanging swings or chase lounges that convert to a chair with a removable or detached footstool. Top of page   Outdoor Living Furniture Table Tops Wood - $-$$$ Teak, cypress, ipe, mahogany are most durable All need protective finishes Glass - $-$$$ Resists scratches Cleans easily Variety of colors and shapes Make sure yours is tempered Tile - $$-$$$ Artistic element Purchased as is or customizable Lots of colors, patterns, textures Can chip, fade and crack Requires sealing Top of page       Outdoor Living Furniture Maintenance     Weather can wreak havoc on exposed surfaces. So show you care and keep yours looking like new with these tips: Inspect furniture at the beginning of each season for rust and loose hardware Wash hard surfaces with mild soap just before storing them away Use only UV protectant cleaning products on wood furniture Treat metal furniture at the first sign of rust Only use acrylic latex paint with built-in protection for painting outdoor living furniture Expect to paint wood surfaces every 3 years to keep them looking like new Prevent peeling, warping, and splintering by sanding the furniture and applying a weather resistant sealant Shelter furniture pieces when the weather is bad Cover pieces with heavy tarps when it's not practical to move them under cover   Top of page   Outdoor Living Furniture Fabrics     There are lots of outdoor fabric innovations, patterns, textures, and colors that let you show off your personal style and personality.   Have you heard about the new neutrals?   They have bold, pronounced surfaces and quiet patterns. And they look and feel like posh indoor fair but they're completely weather resistant.   And don't be afraid to bring indoor comfort to outdoor upholstery and pillows by using cozy throws, sweeping draperies, and breezy curtains made from silks, sheers, velveteen, chenille and terry cloth.   Top of page Fresh Air Office   Have you ever looked out of your office window and wished you could be outside? Then let's get to work on your fresh air office! An outdoor office headquartered just a quick trek from your backdoor is a great way to mix business with pleasure. You'll need a desk, a chair, a clock, a laptop, waterproof electrical and phone connections, and handy storage that shelters filing cabinets. Design the desk as an L-shaped, foldaway that can be secreted when it's not in use. That way, your office space can do double duty by making space for other activities on a whim. Metal and wood surfaces are both good choices. And if your area is breezy -- no worries -- use magnets on metal or stones on wood to hold papers in place. Design storage to hold your filing cabinet, desk, chair, phone, calculator and other miscellaneous office supplies. If you only need a few supplies to get the job done and you don't mind carrying the supplies back and forth, forego storage and save some money. My personal home office is headquartered out on the front deck -- up in the trees. My desk options are both portable. I use a wooden TV tray when I feel like sitting up. And I use resin chairs filled with oversized pillows. When I'm in the mood for the chaise lounge, I use lots of pillows on it too. And my laptop sits on this little Japanese table that rests across my lap. I don't need lots of supplies to do what I do.  I typically have my laptop, a few papers, and the cordless phone that I cart back and forth between the deck and house as needed. And I have electrical and cable hook-ups installed on the deck that power a TV, a radio and a personal fan. All these that live on the deck all year long.

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