Which garden furniture style is best for me?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are now so many different styles and brands of garden furniture that it can be hard to know which one is the best for your garden. Well, hopefully, we have some great information below to help you decide which will be your best choice.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are going to be looking at some great styles of garden furniture. Some might be a bit quirky, others just outright expensive, but at least we should be able to give you some help in deciding what is perfect for your garden, and wallet![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We will be looking at some fantastic plain and simple but very contemporary furniture selections. We will also be looking at stylish and affordable garden furniture while not forgetting the real high end, wish we could afford furniture. We can then drop back to some weird but usable furniture and then onto some of the old tried ad tested options that will work anywhere![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11502″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]So, let’s begin by looking at some contemporary furniture. Contemporary furniture tends to be very modern, clean-lined, sometimes plain furniture. This furniture is almost very minimalistic in design and offers very little in ornate features.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This style of furniture is not always the easiest to find as it can be marketed towards the high-end garden furniture ranges which are often very expensive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Often rattan is not directly used for contemporary furniture as it does not give the clean crisp lines that people desire. Often you will have either moulded plastics or even aluminium to get the crisp lines required. With this material being used, the price is often a lot higher.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]High-end furniture is considered for people with a larger garden area as well as a large budget. These pieces can range from £5000 up to some very high numbers. These pieces of furniture will be made from the best materials available and designed to last for many years. These are also considered the luxury style furniture range enjoyed by the rich and famous worldwide.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”11505″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Modern Garden furniture is where things come back to normal for the rest of us. This style of furniture is available in many different materials and can fit into most garden styles very comfortably. Modern garden furniture is considered to be in line with the latest styles and designs along with some of the latest materials available. It would be expected that the material would be rip-resistant, stain resistant, UV resistant and fully fire-resistant.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Framework for modern furniture is usually either powder-coated steel or aluminium. Both materials give the structure strength and resilience needed to be used in everyday furniture.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stylish garden furniture is purely down to whatever the trends are for that year. It could be up-cycled old wooden garden furniture that has been revamped with a coat of paint or it could be in line with some furniture that has been seen on the latest TV show. There have been several times in the past few years where products have been seen on game shows or TV programmes and within days they have been sold out. The last one like this was for the egg chairs, which are still very much in demand now too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Weird and wonderful garden furniture is quite often seen in the shops and on websites, but do people really buy it? The simple answer is yes! This is because these pieces are seen as unique or when viewed by friends are seen to make a statement! They might be unusual colours or a mixture of colours. They may be an unusual shape or simply just fun![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]These pieces can bring with them several problems too. Although they are fun and vibrant, the materials used may not be of a high standard. Check this when making your purchase. You may also find it hard to find other matching furniture so this should also be considered when purchasing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If none of the above really get you excited, then it’s back to the tried and tested regular rattan garden furniture. This style of furniture has been around for many years, and no doubt will be around for many more. With rattan being weatherproof, it has made itself the main choice for most people in the UK.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rattan furniture is available in hundreds of different designs and a mix of colours. There are numerous styles available to suit your budget as well as shapes that will fit into your final garden design.[/vc_column_text]
[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rattan furniture has stood the test of time due to its durability and long life. This can be seen in the warranty period that is given to this style of furniture, sometimes up to 10 years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Give some rattan furniture a try now and see just how much of a benefit it is to your garden space.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Storing your garden furniture
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s now the time of year when many of us will be going out to invest in some new garden furniture. The summer weather is almost upon us so our attention is now drawn to the garden and how we can entertain and enjoy the weather. The one thing we forget to think about is what we do with our furniture when winter arrives?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Leaving your rattan furniture outside during the summer months unprotected is relatively ok. We will always get a few summer showers and a few days of heavy wind but most quality furniture sets will handle this very easily. When the winter months come these will be almost daily events, as well as plunging temperatures and the possibility of snow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you have decided to invest in a high-quality rattan furniture set then the likely hood is that you can leave this set out in all weathers and very little, if any damage will be done to it all year round. It may need a quick clean off when you come to use it but this should be manageable.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Other furniture or even furniture accessories like cushions, tableware, heaters, parasols etc may need a bit more loving care to ensure that they get through the winter months. This is when you need to consider how and where you will store your garden furniture.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thinking about how you store your garden furniture and accessories should be done when you come to buy your furniture. It can cause all sorts of headaches when the end of summer comes and you have now where to store your furniture.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11106″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]A very quick and simple solution is a protective cover. These garden furniture covers often come in the right shape for your furniture. If you are savvy and don’t mind haggling, then ask the shop if they would be willing to throw a cover in free of charge. Worst case you will get it cheaper than the normal price. This at least gives your furniture some basic cover and protection.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you have not yet made your final decision on purchasing your furniture then read on and we have some great tips that may just help you make decide.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If space is at a premium, then cube sets are a great option. Storage is built-in! They are very compact pieces of furniture with the footstool going under the chair, the chair then goes under the table to form a cube shape. This is a great way of not compromising on the size and seating capacity of the furniture but also takes up the least amount of space. With the footstools and chairs being stored under the table when not in use, they make excellent choices for a rattan dining set.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]These cube dining sets only require the size of the table itself for storage. This means that they can be very easily tucked away and covered up. With no need to find a separate area for the table and then try to accommodate the chairs, it’s a win-win scenario for all![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you are not a fan of the rattan cube sets, but still want a full dining experience then it’s off to look at the standard rattan dining sets. These again offer you your standard dining table and a selection of rattan chairs, usually in pairs. These as standard go up to 8 seater dining sets but some companies do offer 10 seater dining sets if you shop around.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The storage of these standard rattan dining sets is very similar to your indoor dining setup. The chairs simply push under the table when not in use. If you want something a bit easier for storage then you will need to ask about rattan stacking chairs. These are specially designed so that they can be stacked up when not in use. Not all rattan chairs can be stacked so ensure you check this out when purchasing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For both dining sets and sofa sets, you are likely to have cushions. Both seat cushions and scatter cushions. Depending on the brand and the shop, these cushions may or may not be weatherproof. This is always worth checking out, just so you are aware for the summer months![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cushions are usually best stored in a rattan storage box. These boxes are a great addition to your garden furniture and can store anything from your furniture cushions to your garden toys. They will very often match your other furniture which is always an added bonus.[/vc_column_text]
[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most of the rattan storage boxes are waterproof but that doesn’t always mean that they won’t let water in. It’s a great added precaution, especially during the winter months to store your cushions in a storage box but add an extra layer of protection with a storage box cover.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rattan furniture is still by far the best furniture for the UK weather. It has been specially designed to withstand the hot and cold as well as the wet weather that we always have. Just with a few extra precautions, you can ensure that your furniture stays in great condition for use year after year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Garden zones for entertaining
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Not everyone has the luxury of acres of land where they can entertain their friends and family. Most of us will have a small and more than adequate garden for which we need to make the most of the space. You don’t need a massive amount of space to have fun and entertain. So we have put together some simple ideas on how you can maximise that space with ease.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of the ways that we can accomplish the use of our space the best is to look at creating smaller zones or areas that have a purpose. Sometimes we just try to cram everything in and nothing ends up with a role or a feeling that it belongs where it is.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As an example, below are some of the areas that you could look to create
- Seating area
- Cooking area
- Relaxing area
- Gardening area
- Kids area
- Storage area
- Playing area
- Pets area
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You don’t need to create all of these in your garden, most people wouldn’t have the space, but let’s explore a few of these further.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”11486″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Probably the most important of the above list is the seating area. When you have friends and family around you will want somewhere where you can relax and enjoy each other’s company. The last thing you want to do is invite everyone around and then expect them to stand up.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Your seating area doesn’t need to be big. As long as you can accommodate some chairs and small tables or a dining table if you are cooking, consider that area done.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you have children, they will also want somewhere to come outside and play, especially if they are younger children. You may want to give them an area of the garden where they have permission to get any toys out that they want as long as they stay in that area. This helps to keep the garden looking cleaner and more organised. It also helps when people are coming around and not having to navigate their way across your garden hoping they don’t step on the toys, or worst case the children![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do you like plants? It has been shown that plants are 1 of the most important parts of the garden. They not only add colour but attract wildlife too. Their vibrant colours are usually followed by fresh fragrances that alone can help relax and invigorate you. If you don’t have flower borders, set up some pots and small planters around your garden. If you have large bare walls or fences, how about hanging flowerpots or even vertical planters? There are always ways to introduce flowers and plants into your outdoor life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Our final tip for this article is lighting. During the day this is very difficult to do as natural light will dictate to you what areas are lit and which ones aren’t. But in the evening when the sun has gone down but the temperatures are still perfect for being outdoors, this is your time to shine![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11487″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You can set up small areas of the garden that you want to show off. Control this with lighting. There are great options available for lights. For our garden, we have string lights around the outside on the fence. This defines the space that we want to have for our entertaining area. We have some normal copper overhead lights for our covered patio area but then we also have some freestanding downlighters for the uncovered areas. These are great as you don’t waste light by pointing up at the sky![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We hope the tips above have given you some ideas to help you layout your garden area. By creating zones you allow different aspects of garden life to have a home and therefore keep things simple and organised.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]