Creating a relaxing outdoor space is a difficult job. We have some tips to help you choose the best outdoor furniture so you can relax your style as early as possible.
In Australia, we value our outdoor lifestyle, but it can be a challenge to provide outdoor spaces with natural, comfortable, clean and readily available facilities. Don't despair! There is no need for the pleasure of leaning on the terrace to be compromised by first removing the mat from the storage room. The technological development of fabrics and materials means that there are now many beautiful choices for all-weather outdoor furniture.
All the mats left out on rainy days will get wet! Unless they are made of plastic sheets (you will sweat when sitting on them in hot weather!) Water will seep into fabrics and foam. This is why it is important to look for cushions that are well made and of the right materials so that they can dry properly, resist mold and stay comfortable.
Look for a cushion made of reticulated foam because it is a foam with antibacterial and antifungal properties. The term "reticulate" refers to the polyurethane cell structure produced during the manufacturing process. The result is a fast-drying foam that allows air and fluid to move through the material.
When the reticulated foam gets wet, its structure allows water to pass through it instead of being trapped. It is important to allow the wet mat to drain properly and try to avoid water staying in it for any time.
Outdoor furniture fabric
When placed outdoors, sunlight and rain will cause the fabric to deteriorate. Fortunately, technological innovation has spawned a large number of fabrics that can withstand bad weather. In addition to technical innovations in durability, we also focus on creating fabrics with the appearance and texture of cotton, linen and other interior decoration fabrics. This is great news for home decorators who want to create an outdoor room with the comfort and style of the living room. Use cushions scattered with a series of gorgeous prints and patterns on an outdoor sofa or chair to complete the look.
The best material for outdoor furniture
Choosing outdoor furniture is indeed an investment decision. There are many choices of materials, but not all materials can stand the test of time. Outdoor furniture that looks cheap is likely to fall apart in a short period of time or when it looks worn out, it is likely to be a complete waste of money (as well as a waste of materials and resources). Cheap outdoor furniture is also probably not designed to stay outdoors all year round. You get what you paid for!
When choosing outdoor furniture, you need to consider how much maintenance time you actually have. Read the label and ask the salesperson questions. If they cannot guarantee the product's service life in all weather conditions, this may be a good indicator that maintenance is required (for example, regular dyeing or moving it inside during bad weather or seasons, or needing to be wiped after rain) Keep the furniture intact in the next few years.
Metal
Powder-coated aluminum is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture because it is durable, lightweight and easy to move. Although it may be prone to rust around the joint, some manufacturers, such as Fermob, apply an additional anti-corrosion coating to prevent rust. Also check the UV-resistant paint to help keep the color looking bright and saturated.
Wood
Wood can maintain a good service life when left outdoors, but in order to prevent water seepage and cause swelling and cracking, it may need to be treated with moisture-proof stains. Look for marine-grade wood, such as teak, which is famous for its outdoor functions. The advantage of teak is that you don't need to dye or seal it at all, because it will produce its own natural oil to keep the wood in good condition. Untreated teak will turn gray over time, which is the patina that many people like. If you like teak to turn honey-colored when wet, you need to seal it regularly. But be aware that sealing will slow down the natural oil production of wood and lead to reliance on this manual oiling.
Synthetic wicker and rattan
Synthetic and natural wicker or rattan is usually woven on the aluminum frames of sofas, armchairs, recliners and dining chairs. Natural rattan is a kind of natural grass fiber, but it should not be left outdoors all year round because it is easy to mold and eventually rot. Synthetic fibers that mimic natural wicker and rattan but are fade-resistant and waterproof are an excellent choice for durable furniture that can be left outside all year round. Due to quality differences, some synthetic wickers will be more durable than others.
The way the fibers are woven and connected is an important factor in how long the furniture stays in its best condition. Sitting on a chair can be painful, the braided end of the chair has popped out! Most manufacturers save material by gluing the two ends together when weaving the rope. Over time, the glue will fail and the ends will separate. Unfortunately, due to the tension in the weaving, it is often impossible to glue these ends together.