Garden Patio Furniture Choices

Garden patio furniture can be functional and practical all at the same time. Garden patio furniture is not just for relaxing on a beautiful warm sunny day but it can also add dimension and storage to your outdoor living area. Depending on how you use or intend to use your backyard garden area will determine the type of outdoor furniture to purchase. You want to choose sturdy seating such as wicker chairs, teak chaise lounges, hammocks, benches, Adirondack chairs or whatever type of seating you desire.

Chances are your backyard is the largest living area you have and you want to decorate it just as stylish as your interior rooms. There is a large variety of practical and elegant outdoor furniture to choose that it could boggle your mind. The best way to begin is to decide how you want to decorate all the areas of your yard. You may want an area just for dining, or playing, or just relaxing with family and friends. The variety of furniture available ranges from chairs, couches, picnic tables, coffee tables, swings and hammocks plus decorative pieces such as arches, arbors, bridges, gazebos, umbrellas and storage benches for gas grill supplies, furniture covers or outdoor toys.

The garden furniture of today is made to blend with the new modern styles of furniture. This furniture is also exposed to a lot more wear and tear due to the outdoor elements. Moisture can be a major problem therefore certain woods are stronger than others such as teak and will hold up much better as outdoor patio furniture. Synthetic materials such as plastic, polywood, and fiber are used today because they are moisture and decay resistant, easy to maintain and are lightweight. These materials can also be molded to form different shapes; you will also find that sharp edges are now gentle curves to perfectly support the body.

Wood has been used for many years as garden patio furniture because it will not absorb heat, and most of them are resistant to rot. Oak and cedar are generally used as garden furniture because they are lightweight and easy to move from place to place. The natural oils of cedar help preserve it from insect damage, moisture, and decay. Teak is also an excellent wood for outdoor living because of its natural oils; it is a dense wood that resists decay, elegant looking and ages to a beautiful silver hue. Teak is the preferred wood used on ships and yachts because of its ability to withstand outdoor elements. Wood furniture blends in nicely with most styles such as casual, contemporary or formal.  

Wicker or rattan is another very popular choice for patios, decks, and backyards. The furniture is made of natural materials and is treated in order to cope with the elements and is suitable for almost every budget. Wicker furniture that is made from synthetics, such as polyresins, is generally maintenance free and will last longer. Wicker furniture is used in many traditional and casual designs and is available with decorative cushions for any type of gathering. The wicker furniture that was used in the 1930's and 40's would not hold up very well to nature's elements. The wicker furniture my grandmother had was used only in a fully enclosed sun-porch.

For active, busy backyards a good choice of material is cast aluminum. It is durable, affordable, lightweight, and will not rust; it is available in many colors including bronze, black, and a natural silver tone. Aluminum will absorb heat so it is best to use cushions for the back and bottom of all seats. Wrought iron patio furniture also will withstand harsh conditions as long as the surface is weather-treated and it is also much heavier than cast aluminum. There are other wrought iron pieces such as sconces, chandeliers, and other light fixtures that can be purchased to add ambiance to an outdoor living room.

PVC and heavy-duty plastic are excellent pieces to use poolside because they are sturdy but lightweight, easily moved around, and handle wet conditions very well. Many are stackable or foldable and available in many different styles and colors. The furniture structure can deteriorate if left out during cold winter days or exposed to direct sun over lengthy periods of time. With the purchase of any furniture, always ask about the warranty and any special instructions for needed care. Outdoor patio furniture is not only for your patio; this furniture goes very well on a porch, your pool area, on your deck, in your front yard garden or a rose garden in the backyard. The important thing to remember is to have a good time searching for your new garden patio furniture.