Ten Tips for Choosing Outdoor Furniture
With spring just around the corner and my outdoor setting falling apart, I’ve been on the hunt for a new one.
Here’s my tips on what to look for and what to avoid when furnishing your outdoor space. I’ve also included my top ten outdoor furniture selections for this season.
Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to many summers spent in your beautiful outdoor space!
Tip # 1: Sofas (both inside and out) are a lot like beds. If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend a lot of time on one and so you need to make sure it’s super comfortable. Resist the temptation to buy online just because you love the look of it. Whilst looks are important, it’s what’s on the inside that counts! Make the time to take a shopping trip (or call me and I’ll come with you) to road test them.
Tip # 2: Cheap outdoor settings are cheap outdoor settings. There’s so much that goes into producing good outdoor furniture that will last the distance. Having the UV-resistant stuff actually meshed into the fabric, instead of spraying it on afterward (or at all), the frame strength, and the quality of the materials are all important design elements. If you can, try to stretch the budget - you’ll save money in the long run. Make sure you ask the right questions before you buy, including the warranty, rust, and weather resistance credentials.
Tip # 3: Try adding a different style of occasional chairs to the sofa - they look great, add interest, style and avoid that matchy-matchy 3-piece look. And the occasional chairs don’t need to be opposite the sofa. Both placed on one side to make an L-shape, also looks great. Have a play and see what works best for your space.
Tip # 4: If your outdoor furniture is angular, add a round/oblong coffee or dining table to soften the overall look - there’s so many options to mix it up a bit! The image below from King Living is a great example of how individual pieces combined. add interest, texture, pattern and fabulous proportion. Image source and credit: King Living
Tip # 5: Before you hit the shops, measure up the space that your new furniture will be living in. The proportion and scale of your furniture will make or break the space - so be restrained and don’t overcrowd a small space with chunky sofas and too many tables. Conversely, don’t go too small with a large space - oversized, and perhaps chunky sofas may work better in that scenario.
Tip # 6: Outdoor rugs - I was never a fan of them as I couldn’t see the point, but I’m now a convert, knowing that the right outdoor rug will tie the whole space together. When choosing a rug (indoor or out), the golden rule is ‘bigger is better’. The rug acts to anchor all of the furniture components together. As a general rule, individual items should be on, or at least partially on, the rug. Remember that a small rug that doesn’t ‘touch’ anything, will look like a lonely deserted island.
Tip # 7: You’ll kick yourself if your outdoor furniture doesn’t come with removable covers that are easily washed. Make sure this is at the top of your checklist to avoid future grief. After all, you want your friends to feel right at home when enjoying your hospitality! Did you know that some high-end outdoor furniture will even cope with a regular hose down - now that’s a bonus!
Tip # 8: Keep your outdoor furniture pieces in top condition by covering them when not in use (especially over winter). Use breathable covers to reduce the risk of mould.
Our top 10 outdoor furniture choices (from lux to less)
The Architect Series by Coco Republic (below, left). Sophisticated and contemporary, the Architect range masters an exquisite combination of materials for the ultimate outdoor seating experience. This range comes in two colour palettes and a 10 year warranty.
I was pulled like a magnet to King Living’s King Cove outdoor sofas, available in a range of package options with endless configurations. This collection (below, second from left) is designed with powder-coated alloy frames for superior durability and longevity. The sculpted platforms easily transforms from a sofa to a daybed or chaise. Coffee and side tables, inset with high-performance ceramic, integrate seamlessly. With impressive warranties (10 years on the frame and 2 years on fabrics) this one is definitely on my shopping list!
Another one that’s caught my attention is the King Living Zaza outdoor range (below, second from right). Organic lines, a relaxed tailored finish, and deep plush seats combine to form a sofa that perfectly embodies modern Australian style. With the same warranty as the King Cove, it’s another one to add to your list.
The Stockdale sofa and occasional pieces (below, right) are part of Hartley’s Outdoor Living ‘black label’ collection. It’s top quality and comes with a matching price tag. I can just picture this under my alfresco.. The solid teak frame comes with a 10-year warranty, with the cushions guaranteed for 5. It doesn’t get much better than this.
5. Archipelago can always be relied on for a good range of outdoor furniture. I road-tested the Tribeca recently and loved the point of difference with the teak base. The Tribeco (below, far left) is good value, classy and comes with a 3-year structural warranty, and 2 years on the fabric. It’s well priced for what you get.
6. For a larger outdoor setting, the Zanzibar range by Freedom Furniture (below, second from left) is well worth considering. It comes with a choice of configurations and its elegant, contemporary looks are perfect for the modern outdoor area. Cushion covers are removable (yay!) and it comes with a matching coffee table (if you have to).…or see tip # 3 above :-).
7. The Maldives modular lounge setting from Outdoor Elegance is great quality. I’m loving their current range and this 10-piece setting (pictured third from right below) with an almost 3 metre sofa, will suit a large outdoor space. Sunbrella fabric (with a 5 year warranty) ensures that it is water, mildew and fade resistant with Solaris wicker getting another tick.
8. Okay, not technically a sofa, but the Milli two-seater outdoor hanging chair from Early Settler, (above second from right) grabbed my attention because it would look as much at home inside, as out. Nestle into its diamond wicker weave and take a moment to sit back and enjoy life. Made from powder-coated steel, polyester and all-weather wicker, it’s okay in the sun but needs to be stored undercover when not in use.
9. I’ve found Bunnings to be a bit hit and miss with what’s on offer (I’m a regular in my local store), but I’m quite liking the Mimosa range of outdoor furniture. The modular design shown above (middle) is a smart-looking unit with its built-in side tables. The sling mesh base makes for comfy cushioning and the unit is made from powder-coated (rust-proof) aluminium.
10. Segal deserves a mention as it’s a big player on the market and caters for smaller budgets. Worth a mention is the very sweet Hampton chairs & bistro suite (pictured above right) which would look right at home on a sheltered balcony or in protected outdoor area.
- Janine Nairn
Creative Director
Disclaimer: Beautiful Spaces Interior Design receives no payment or endorsement from any suppliers mentioned in this blog. The product opinions are purely the author’s own and the information provided is accurate at the time of writing. Product Images (unless specified) are sourced from the supplier's own websites.