Summer Living

Making the Most of Your Time Outside Summer Living

HELLO SUNSHINE! Our lives have changed recently and much is left unknown, however, there is one thing we can certainly count on in the coming days, and that is warmer weather here in Michigan. As we spend more time at home, the importance of comfortable, quality furnishings is even more essential (no pun intended). Giving thought to our outdoor spaces as we move into summer, we want to think about getting the most use of these spaces in the few months the weather allows.

Our outdoor spaces are really an extension of our home and are used for entertaining, relaxing and gathering. A single outdoor space could function as the kitchen, dining and living room at all once. Because of this, you want to offer the same amount of thought and care into your outdoor furniture as your indoor pieces along with some additional considerations. As with choosing indoor furnishings, you must consider the shape and size of usable space. Are you dealing with a long, narrow space, a small balcony or something more broad with extra room? Outdoor spaces are often used for gatherings and more casual living, so make sure you have extra space for movement around the furniture. Plan your outdoor living space with as much thought as you gave the interior, really think about traffic flow and best amount of seating for function and space.

The next thing to consider is the elements and this is a enormous consideration when it comes to outdoor furniture. Will your new furniture be exposed to the sun, rain and wind or under cover? Will it sit on a hard surface such as a deck or patio or in the grass? Knowing these answers will help you select the right materials and finishes.

At this point in your search for the perfect outdoor furniture, you will notice that quality outdoor pieces are priced at or above your indoor furniture. This is due to two main factors. The first being materials and the second is construction. When exposed to the elements, low quality pieces will experience fading, rust, cracks, mildew and staining. Cushion fill can break down and natural wicker will split. The construction of any furniture, whether indoors or outdoors is important but more so when you consider that it will be subjected to wind and rain. Here in Michigan, we have to plan for cold snaps that can crack plastic furniture and think about pine needles and other leafy trees that can fall and get worked into the weaves of wicker.

High quality outdoor furniture from brands like Lloyd Flanders and Brown Jordan will not only function and be comfortable for many years but will also look fabulous for decades if taken care of properly. In your search for outdoor pieces, keep on the lookout for Sunbrella fabrics which are fade and mold resistant, aluminum frames that don’t rust and high-oil content woods that weather well such as Teak.

The old adage "you get what you pay for" cannot be more true when it comes to patio furniture. In the long run, you’re going to get the most out of your money by selecting quality pieces at the start instead of items that will need to be replaced in just a couple of seasons. Consider the last time you shopped for a sofa or mattress, you wanted to feel the materials and test it out before deciding to purchase, right? The same is true when choosing your outdoor furniture. Don’t skip the sit test when your purchasing items you plan to use for relaxation.

Designer Tip : Ground your outdoor space and add a pop of color with all weather, quick-drying rugs such as those from Dash & Albert and Company C which can both be found at Klingman’s Furniture & Design.

For 123 years, Klingman's has offered the very finest in quality home furnishings. We take pride in tailoring projects to our client's needs, style and budget. Now with locations in Grand Rapids, Holland and Lansing. For more information visit Klingmans.com