Outdoor living: Patio furniture

Outdoor living:

Patio furniture

Summer’s here! You dream of those lazy leisure days spent at the pool or sitting around a firepit swapping stories with friends. Here are some ideas about having and organising your own outdoor entertainment area and furnishing it with the latest in patio furniture.

Gareth Griffiths

Gareth Griffiths

Trends come and go, but there are always those general rules that go with making the right choice in patio furniture. With this in mind, I took a camera and visited a large patio furniture warehouse at a wellknown Century City mall.

My thanks to the Patio Warehouse friendly sales team.

Colour and grounding

When deciding on patio furniture, you're not limited to neutral colors or the natural tones of wood. Wicker, wood, and metal pieces now come in a wide variety of colourful finishes.

Experts suggest that you look for furnishings that play up colors found in your landscaping, your home's exterior, or your other outdoor decor.

Top tips:

• A DIY paint job can quickly perk up patio furniture with any hue to get the right colour. • Reserve brighter and bolder colours for cushions and accent pieces. These items will likely be used for a shorter service life, and are less expensive to replace. • Ground patio furniture by placing it on an all-weather carpet. Textile advancements in recent years have brought many quick-drying outdoor rugs to the market. Outdoor carpets are soft underfoot and rich in texture, so using one rug will lend the comfort of indoors to your patio or deck. • Choose a color and pattern that coordinates with your other furniture and decor to tie your outdoor space together. Make sure it's rated for outdoor use before buying as the water must run through it and it must not break down in the sun.

Furniture material choices

Plastic resin chairs or side tables may look amazing in the store and will keep their good looks for a year or two out in the sun, but in time they'll become brittle and lose their vibrant colouring. The same can apply to certain wood products and wicker pieces. Shop with care, checking consumer reports and reviews before making a big purchase. If you're sticking to a budget, plan to splurge on items that will be used most often, such as comfortable patio seating or a durable dining table.

When shopping for reliable patio sets, it’s often a good idea to go with durable outdoor furniture made from cast iron, wrought iron, or aluminium. Iron contributes to the durability of furniture, especially if it features rust-resistant powder coating. Aluminium outdoor furniture sets are naturally rust-resistant and can last a long time.

However, there are certain composite plasticbased materials that are made to last the distance in time. Make sure you check that they come with a comparable warranty.

And above all, remember: Goedkoop is duurkoop.

Pick all-weather outdoor cushions and pillows and pack them away

The elements in South Africa are very harsh. Whether you live at the coast or inland. Soft items take a real beating. Make sure you make a plan to pack them away, especially overnight when the weather threatens. An outdoor storage box works like a treat and can also be used to hold cooler boxes and towels.

Reserve brighter and bolder colours for cushions and accent pieces.

Check it out first

When shopping for patio chairs and sofas, do take a seat before buying. Patio furniture will likely be used regularly, especially during the warmer months, so it's essential that the seating is comfortable.

You and your guests will be less likely to enjoy your patio if you’ve set it up with uncomfortable furniture. Look for pieces with backs and plush cushions on the seats or cozy up metal and wood furniture with fluffy pillows for the utmost comfort. Check that all the fabrics are weather-resistant to prevent colour-fading or mildew growth.

A final but often neglected thing: Consider the stability of your patio furniture in high wind. If you live in a wind-prone area, choose heavier items that will not blow into glass windows or the pool.