Guide for Choosing the Perfect Material for your Outdoor Furniture
Is your vacation home’s outdoor furniture made of the best materials for your specific climate and needs? Whether you’re lounging at a beach house or entertaining guests in a tree-lined backyard, choosing outdoor furniture materials that will stand up to the weather is crucial. Here are some key considerations to help you choose the best furniture for your summer home’s location.
Material selection
When considering what type of outdoor furniture to get for your space, first take a moment and think about how you plan to use it. “You should consider where and how you will be using your space,” said Michelle Weisman, Visual Merchandising Manager at Fortunoff Backyard Store. “Will it be in a covered area or an open-air space? Will it be for dining or lounging, or both? Asking yourself these important questions will ultimately be the deciding factor on your furniture choices.”Read More : ‘Comfort’ translates to more in casual dining Keeping these considerations in mind will help you plan ahead. “It’s important to have a plan in place before you head into the store to shop,” noted Weisman. “Otherwise, it can be very overwhelming with the wide selection of choices we carry at our stores.” You can also shop online to help narrow down your choices before heading into one of Fortunoff Backyard Store’s 29 locations to work with a Backyard Specialist.
Shopping furniture by material
Once you have an understanding of where your outdoor furniture will be placed and how it will be used, you can use that information to determine which materials are best suited to your needs. Here is a quick breakdown of outdoor furniture materials and their best applications:
Wicker
Durable and low-maintenance, wicker is a great choice for sunny spaces. “Our resin wicker works great in full sun because it won’t fade and won’t get hot to the touch,” said Weisman. With designs ranging from classic to contemporary, Fortunoff Backyard Store carries outdoor wicker furniture for every style.
Aluminum
If you plan to entertain guests at your summer home, or simply like to rearrange your space for variety, aluminum is a great, lightweight-yet-durable furniture material. The finish on Fortunoff Backyard Store’s aluminum furniture is designed so it won’t chip – or stain your patio.
Cast aluminum
Luxurious in design, cast aluminum is heavier while retaining the same durable characteristics as aluminum. “Cast aluminum is great for shaded or covered areas, offering durability and a long-lasting finish that will be with you for years to come,” Weisman said. Its weight also makes it ideal for locations where you expect windy weather.
Teak
Beautiful and timeless, teak is also renowned for its ability to withstand all types of weather – making it an excellent choice for uncovered outdoor areas. Teak is naturally resistant to water, mold and mildew, and insects. And you can shop with peace of mind knowing Fortunoff Backyard Store’s teak is 100% sustainable.
Polymer
One of the most durable materials, polymer is a solid choice for your summer home’s outdoor furniture – no matter what type of climate your home enjoys. Polymer doesn’t fade in the sun, nor react to extreme temperature changes. It’s also resistant to mold, mildew, and saltwater.
No matter which type of material you select for your vacation home’s outdoor furniture, Weisman noted that investing in quality is critical. “Since this is furniture you won’t be using on a regular basis, you want to choose a material that is durable and long-lasting. This might mean choosing something with a higher price point – but it will be worth it since you will have it for years and years.”
Mixing and matching different materials
With such a variety of high-quality materials available, don’t feel like you need to stick with just one type for your outdoor living area.
“I really love mixing and matching materials,” said Weisman. “Our Cabo Outdoor Wicker seating goes really well with our Miami Aluminum dining in Sapphire. Another great combo is Cadiz Dining with Salerno Wicker seating.”
Make your space your own by styling it with cozy throw pillows, lanterns or other lighting. And don’t forget the music – the portable EVO device functions as a light, Bluetooth speaker, and phone charger.
Now that you’ve selected outdoor furniture materials that are built to last, make sure you protect your new furniture. This is especially important for a vacation home. “Definitely choose furniture covers if you plan on leaving your furniture outside while you aren’t using the house,” said Weisman.
Material selection
When considering what type of outdoor furniture to get for your space, first take a moment and think about how you plan to use it. “You should consider where and how you will be using your space,” said Michelle Weisman, Visual Merchandising Manager at Fortunoff Backyard Store. “Will it be in a covered area or an open-air space? Will it be for dining or lounging, or both? Asking yourself these important questions will ultimately be the deciding factor on your furniture choices.”
Shopping furniture by material
Once you have an understanding of where your outdoor furniture will be placed and how it will be used, you can use that information to determine which materials are best suited to your needs. Here is a quick breakdown of outdoor furniture materials and their best applications:
Wicker
Durable and low-maintenance, wicker is a great choice for sunny spaces. “Our resin wicker works great in full sun because it won’t fade and won’t get hot to the touch,” said Weisman. With designs ranging from classic to contemporary, Fortunoff Backyard Store carries outdoor wicker furniture for every style.
Aluminum
If you plan to entertain guests at your summer home, or simply like to rearrange your space for variety, aluminum is a great, lightweight-yet-durable furniture material. The finish on Fortunoff Backyard Store’s aluminum furniture is designed so it won’t chip – or stain your patio.
Cast aluminum
Luxurious in design, cast aluminum is heavier while retaining the same durable characteristics as aluminum. “Cast aluminum is great for shaded or covered areas, offering durability and a long-lasting finish that will be with you for years to come,” Weisman said. Its weight also makes it ideal for locations where you expect windy weather.
Teak
Beautiful and timeless, teak is also renowned for its ability to withstand all types of weather – making it an excellent choice for uncovered outdoor areas. Teak is naturally resistant to water, mold and mildew, and insects. And you can shop with peace of mind knowing Fortunoff Backyard Store’s teak is 100% sustainable.
Polymer
One of the most durable materials, polymer is a solid choice for your summer home’s outdoor furniture – no matter what type of climate your home enjoys. Polymer doesn’t fade in the sun, nor react to extreme temperature changes. It’s also resistant to mold, mildew, and saltwater.
No matter which type of material you select for your vacation home’s outdoor furniture, Weisman noted that investing in quality is critical. “Since this is furniture you won’t be using on a regular basis, you want to choose a material that is durable and long-lasting. This might mean choosing something with a higher price point – but it will be worth it since you will have it for years and years.”
Mixing and matching different materials
With such a variety of high-quality materials available, don’t feel like you need to stick with just one type for your outdoor living area.
“I really love mixing and matching materials,” said Weisman. “Our Cabo Outdoor Wicker seating goes really well with our Miami Aluminum dining in Sapphire. Another great combo is Cadiz Dining with Salerno Wicker seating.”
Make your space your own by styling it with cozy throw pillows, lanterns or other lighting. And don’t forget the music – the portable EVO device functions as a light, Bluetooth speaker, and phone charger.
Now that you’ve selected outdoor furniture materials that are built to last, make sure you protect your new furniture. This is especially important for a vacation home. “Definitely choose furniture covers if you plan on leaving your furniture outside while you aren’t using the house,” said Weisman.
Source: storystudio.timesunion.com
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