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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.
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.
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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 -
$$
Aluminum
- $
Woven -
$$
-
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
- $-$$
Outdoor Living Furniture Seating
Styles
Swings, Rockers
& Gliders - $-$$
Bar
Stools - $-$$
Chaise
Lounges - $-$$$
-
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 - $-$$
Hammocks
- $-$$$
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
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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.
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Outdoor Living Furniture Table
Tops
Wood -
$-$$$
-
Teak,
cypress, ipe, mahogany are most durable
-
All need protective
finishes
Glass -
$-$$$
Tile -
$$-$$$
-
Artistic
element
-
Purchased as is or
customizable
-
Lots of
colors, patterns,
textures
-
Can
chip, fade and
crack
-
Requires
sealing
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
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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.
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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