Outdoor Patio Furniture

With a little hard work, well thought through planning and an investment of time and money you can transform any patio or garden into a spacious and welcoming area which during the warm summer months will act as an extension to your home.

Our homes actually offer a variety of outside spaces...think of country cottages with acres of land, apartments with balconies and roof terraces, Victorian terraced houses with sunken basement courtyards or flagged back yards and vast developments of modern homes with flagged patios and lawned gardens. It is what you do with this space that is important and even the most neglected area can be transformed with a little imagination.

Outdoor patio furniture is an easy way of updating the look and function of your outside space. To get the type of patio furniture that’s right for your garden you need to consider two things; style and function. Buy key pieces of furniture that sympathetically fit in with their surroundings whilst also being comfortable and durable.

Cottage Gardens

A cottage garden that is rich in wildlife, flora and fauna deserves furniture that can enhance this beauty, rather than dominate it. Consider traditional styles of patio furniture that blend seamlessly into the garden. Wrought iron chairs can be treated to look old and weathered and look stunning when used with hand laid mosaic tables. Similarly, cast aluminium garden furniture can also be found in styles that suit cottage gardens and is incredibly hardwearing, ideal for times of inclement weather. To add comfort to either a wrought iron or cast aluminium patio set you will need to invest in cushions or seat pads. The variety of patio furniture cushions on the market is vast and again you should consider if the fabric design is in keeping with your outdoor surroundings. Think of pretty checks or florals in soft, pastel shades...

For added appeal and charm another great addition to a cottage garden is a wooden or iron arbour with seating area. These delightful structures provide an area of shelter and with some clever planting of creeping plants such as ivy, foxgloves and hollyhocks an arbour can actually blend into your garden or patio and add a sense of height and space. A cottage garden is a living space of natural beauty and the right plants can help you create an enchanting, fragrance filled oasis.

If the patio area in your cottage garden is small in size then purchase only key pieces of patio furniture. To create a broader sense of space consider painting neighbouring fences or walls in soft, neutral white or cream shades. Also, consider lighting. In the warm summer months your patio is the ideal place to sit and relax in the evening. A chain of outdoor garden lights draped through a neighbouring tree provide a real sense of magic and charm, as do garden candles displayed in pretty garden lanterns.

Balconies and Roof Terraces

If you are lucky enough to have a balcony or roof terrace (or even both) then make the most of their potential by adding stylish garden furniture and a variety of plants grown in colourful, co-ordinating pots and containers.

With a balcony it is possible you will be constrained by space. However, there are plenty of patio furniture sets available that can seat a number of people but at the same time take up a minimal amount of space. Modular patio furniture is incredibly striking and bang on trend right now. If you are looking for compact outdoor dining furniture then consider a modular set, where the chairs can be stored completely underneath the table when not in use. Outdoor modular furniture is particularly popular when made from woven resin wicker, a synthetic material that is waterproof and rot resistant. For very small balconies why not buy a cafe style bistro set? Table and chair sets for two can be bought in a variety of materials from wood, resin, iron and aluminium. To avoid cluttering your balcony your furniture should be foldable, so it can be easily stored away when not in use.

If your balcony or roof terrace is dominated by concrete then make it more appealing by adding a variety of pots and planters. Dense, bushy plants will draw the eye away from plain surfaces and if you want to add colour then choose bright, bold pots. For height try growing plants around metal garden obelisks and don’t forget to use your walls – paint them in a neutral shade and hang baskets full of trailing plants and flowers. As with a cottage garden, try adding pretty training lanterns or eco-friendly solar lights so your alfresco experience can extend well into the night.

Both balconies and roof terraces are perfect for those who enjoy the sunshine so it is little surprise that many people invest in a sunlounger for these areas. You will find a great choice of sunloungers on the market from simple metal folding models right up to handmade teak loungers with solid brass fixtures, sliding drinks tables and co-ordinating accessories. Steamer chairs are also ideal for relaxing in the sunshine. For comfort you will need to purchase a sunlounger or steamer cushion. If you are looking to add colour be bold with the fabric choice.

Modern Patios

Many new-build properties are sold with square plots of land and are split into two; a grassy, turfed area and a flagged patio area. Such gardens can pose problems for their owners but if you think of them as a blank canvas then you can create an area that’s really special,reflective of your personality and tailored to fit your needs. In a modern garden you don’t need to design your patio to sympathetically fit in with the house; you can be as contemporary or traditional as you like.

Before you buy your patio furniture consider the space you have to work with. If your patio is large then why not buy an outdoor dining set and add a co-ordinating swing hammock, or add a pair of sunloungers. You could even add shade to your patio with an awning, secured to the wall of your house. You then have a space that is perfect for not only alfresco dining but also relaxing.

If you are constrained financially but want to invest in patio furniture that will last then make sure the frame is made from aluminium. Aluminium garden furniture is low maintenance and will not need treating throughout the year. Textoline garden furniture is very affordable, but avoid sets that use steel instead of aluminium for the frames as they will be prone to rust. Towards the higher end of the price scale consider brushed aluminium furniture combined with teak. The look is a combination of contemporary and traditional.

If your home has a patio that you want to use as an outside living room then resin wicker is the perfect furniture for you. You can buy full sized sofas, armchairs, corner sofas, dining chairs and tables and even shelving units all made from woven resin wicker and all suitable for outside use.

Remember, when buying patio furniture choose pieces that fit your needs and look right in your surroundings. Garden hammocks, table sets, parasols, bistro furniture, loungers and steamers and lights can all be found in a variety of styles so be creative in the design and your patio will become a space you never want to leave.