Shopping for new outdoor furniture often means doing heaps of research to find a set which is both stylish and durable. While the weather is warm there’s the chance fabrics can fade, when the wind picks up if needs to be resistant enough to stay put in the breeze and when it rains ensuring it’s rust proof is a must.
Here are the top materials to choose for your next outdoor furniture set:
Anti-fade materials
We all the love the glorious Aussie sunshine but it can cause havoc with our beautiful outdoor furniture, especially any fabric cushions and coverings you may have. Generally, most wooden and metal outdoor furniture is built to be fade resistant, the best materials to opt for are teak, stainless steel and aluminium and wrought iron.
Wind resistant materials
Choosing an outdoor dining set which is stylish and wind resistant can be tricky, especially without going for something extremely sturdy, like a wrought iron set for example. Stainless steel is a good choice as it’s much heavier than aluminium but not as heavy as something iron, which can be difficult to move around in a hurry.
Rust proof materials
Both aluminium furniture and stainless steel sets are a great option for something that’s rust proof and perfect for leaving outdoors all year round. If you choose aluminium outdoor furniture it tends to be quite light and easy to move, so can be dangerous if the wind picks up and it’s left outside but it is usually quite easy to transport.
Water resistance
While most people choose garden furniture with a metal frame, teak is one of the most weather resistant wooden materials available and adds a warm and classic feel to your outdoor space. One thing to remember before investing in a teak furniture set is that it can be a bit of a chore to maintain, so make sure you’re prepared to care for it with a little oil.
Comfort
Comfort is always key, so while selecting a material that’s all of the above is really important it also needs to be comfortable for lounging on and enjoying your garden. Be it a dining set, ottoman or a day bed, finding something that spacious and comfortable enough to enjoy sitting out on for long periods is essential.
Functionality and style are also hugely important when making your final decision. it’s a good idea to make a checklist of all the qualities you’re looking for in your outdoor furniture set before taking the plunge to make sure you get one that’s going to be weather resistant enough to stand the test of time.