Shopping for garden furniture can often be a daunting task, with everything to think about from measuring to maintenance, it can be easy to make a mistake and end up with a product which does not suit your needs. For this reason, we thought it would be helpful to put together the most common mistakes shoppers make when buying garden furniture and how you can avoid them to make sure you choose the perfect product for your home.
1. Not taking proper care of your furniture
Our number one tip and one of the biggest mistakes people make when buying outdoor furniture is not following cleaning and care advice. Not taking care of your furniture, whether that may be storing it away during the winter months, cleaning it or re-oiling where necessary can shorten its lifespan and cause build-up of algae and lichens which give your furniture an unsightly appearance.
Fortunately, here at Out & Out we take the hassle out of cleaning & care by offering product-specific cleaning & care advice on each of our products. You’ll find this by simply clicking on the ‘cleaning & care’ tab on each product. This covers everything from whether to machine wash cushions, whether your furniture needs to be stored away in winter and any regular maintenance advice.
2. Not measuring
It may not be the most enjoyable task, but before you purchase any outdoor furniture, make sure you have taken a look at the dimensions and measured how the furniture will fit into your space. Is there enough room for chairs to be pulled back and people to walk around the table? You want outdoor furniture which fits your space but still gives enough room for the furniture to function comfortably. It is recommended that you allow at least 75cm for each chair to be comfortably pulled back.
If you have any questions or require any further help or advice on measuring your space, our furniture dimensions and how to choose the right sized product to fit your space, simply send us an email at information@outandout.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.
3. Not thinking about your needs
It’s easy to focus on how your furniture will look, but make sure you keep in mind practicality. If you’re a frequent dinner party host, consider refining your search to just 8 seater sets to ensure you have ample space to accommodate guests. Our Bahama 8 Seater Wooden Garden Set comfortably seats 8 guests and is made using sustainably sourced eucalyptus hardwood. If it’s a lounge set you’re looking for, our Costa Outdoor Lounge Set can Set 8 people, with two 2-seater sofas and 4 stools which double as footrests.
Costa – Outdoor Rattan Lounge Set with Cushion Box - Grey £799
If you’re working with a more compact space or even an apartment balcony, opt for specialist balcony furniture such as our Louis Balcony Set which features two tall chairs and a matching table to fit into compact spaces without compromising on unique, superb quality design.
Louis - Balcony Set £1,299
4. Not choosing the right material for your requirements
Outdoor furniture is available in a wide array of materials, from wood and metal to wicker and resin. Each of these materials contain different properties which can make them more or less suited to your needs. Make sure you think about the practicality of the material of the furniture you're buying, if you’re looking for outdoor furniture for the family home with young children, it could be wise to consider a set made of resin, such as our Akola 6 Seater Dining Set, due to its ease of maintenance. It can simply be wiped clean, meaning any sticky fingers or spillages can be swiftly taken care of!
Akola – Dining Set – 6 Seats - Grey- £593.01 (Pre-order)
Equally, if you like the look of rattan outdoor furniture but prefer a low maintenance wipe clean finish, many of our lounge sets are constructed using polyrattan, an artificial rattan alternative which mimics the look of the real thing and is often weather resistant, rot and decay proof. Our Alabama Dark Grey Lounge Set is a fantastic example of this, featuring a 2 seater sofa, two armchairs and one coffee table, all constructed using artificial rattan in a chic, dark grey colour which will further aid this set's longevity.
Alabama – Rattan Lounge Set – Dark Grey- £399
5. Compromising on quality
We’ve all heard the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ and more often than not this is the case with outdoor furniture. It’s important for your garden furniture to be good quality to allow it to withstand the elements and remain in good condition for years to come. Nobody wants garden furniture which only lasts for one summer, so make sure you’re getting the best of both words with a set which is fairly priced and made from durable materials.
Our Parsons Garden Dining Set exemplifies quality, robust design, including four solid high back dining armchairs with tailor made cushions and a sturdy 90cm square dining table for just £499, bridging the gap between style and substance, its timeless design is sure to see you through many summers.
Parsons - Garden Dining Set £499
Now that you know the mistakes to avoid, if you’d like some style and design inspiration then be sure to take a look at our Pinterest boards and follow our Facebook page to be the first to know about our newest product releases.