Garden furniture, also called patio furniture or outdoor furniture, is a type of furniture specifically designed for outdoor use. It is typically made of weather-resistant materials such as aluminium which does not rust. The oldest surviving examples of garden furniture were found in the gardens of Pompeii. An area of typical patio furniture, including umbrellas, in Taiwan. Main article: List of furniture types Garden furniture is often sold as a patio set consisting of a table, four or six chairs, and a (parasol). A picnic table is used for the purpose of eating a meal outdoors. Long chairs, referred to as chaise longue, are also common items. Recently seating furniture has been used for conversation areas using items like couches. The British 'garden parasol' or American 'garden umbrella' is the term for a specialised type of umbrella designed to provide shade from the sun. Parasols are either secured in a weighted base or a built-in mount in the paving. Some are movable around outdoor tables and seating, others centred through a hole mid-table.
Patio heaters are used to enable people to sit outside at night or in cold weather. They can be permanently mounted on eaves and patio roofs, or portable and self-supporting. They can operate on electricity, propane, bottled butane (small units), or natural gas. The latter can be plumbed into permanent locations or attached to 'quick-connect' outlets. Modular outdoor fire pits and portable fire bowls have become widely available in many materials to extend outdoor living. The tall clay Chimeneas of North America are an example. Current garden accessories include items like birdbaths, plant stands, planter boxes and trellises to add detail to an outdoor space. The most commonly sold types of patio sets are made of plastic, wood, aluminium, wicker, and wrought iron. A classic bench design by Edwin Lutyens Wooden garden furniture can suffer through exposure to the elements and therefore needs to be periodically treated. Teak is a commonly used material for outdoor furniture.
It naturally contains silica, which makes it resistant to fungal decay, many of the effects of water (such as rot, swelling and warping), as well as chemicals. It is also resistant to fire, acid and alkalis. When Teak weathers it loses its original look but gains a majestic, almost silver glow. Many owners prefer the aged look of teak and because of its resistance to rotting and infestation, it can be appreciated without upkeep. Aluminium garden furniture is robust and long-lasting. However, if the protective coating is compromised it will corrode. Plastic garden furniture is naturally waterproof, so it can be left out year-round. Waterproof outdoor furniture pieces are usually made of materials such as Mahogany, Teak, Cast Aluminum, PE Wicker, Plastic and PVC Wicker.[] These materials are durable and can withstand the elements of wind, rain and sun exposure. Wicker outdoor living furniture was originally made from the stems of any one of 600 species of palms found in tropical regions all over the world.
The palm stems were tightly woven into interlocking panels, and formed into the desired structure. Now, most modern wicker furniture is made from synthetic resin, increasing the life expectancy and reducing manufacturing costs. Today's resin furniture is often made of recycled plastic and incredibly durable, usually carrying warranties of 20 years or longer. It can be moulded to resemble real wood or wicker.Shop by Department Outdoor Living Garden Furniture View All Garden Furniture Make a regular old wooden garden bench sing with a little paint in wildly colorful stripes. Start by painting the bulk of the bench a single vibrant hue, then brush the back spindles in an arresting array of your favorite colors. Sew a beach towel around a cushion to make it match. Create a Cottage Look We transformed a plain wicker bench into this cozy retreat using a quilt as inspiration. Pull a color -- or even a design -- from your favorite quilt and paint it onto the curved arms and back of a wicker love seat.
Use the coverlet as a cushion and a lace-edged dust ruffle for soft skirting. While a basic black iron chair looks good on its own, you can make it look great. Just dress it up with a little jewelry. This comfortable classic -- an oversize wrought-iron dining chair -- glitters thanks to a skirt of beaded fringe and pewter-painted accents. Add Zen to Your Yard The ubiquitous Adirondack chair is perfectly comfortable but not always stylish. So we dressed it up with a Zen feel. Here, soothing, subdued color and rich detail flatter the American icon, with its wide arms and gently sloping back. The result is a fresh, harmonious, and comfortable blend of two cultures. Try a Retro Style Plastic outdoor furniture is inexpensive and lightweight -- but not always stylish. Add charm with a little paint. Here, we've accented a plain plastic chaise with colorful circles. Use any colors and designs you want! Enjoy a Colorful Swing Swings are fun to sit on. Make yours as enjoyable to the eye as it is to your bottom with a refreshing coat of paint.
We were inspired by citrus hues -- lemon, tangerine, and lime -- when we remade this swing. (It's a perfect way to lighten up a shady corner of your yard or porch!) Try a Touch of the Tropics Get your furniture ready for a tropical-theme party. This regular old plastic lawn chair becomes a festive showpiece in minutes. We simply attached two grass skirts and a fabric lei from a party supply store. It's topped off by a comfy cushion covered in outdoor-safe fabric. Just use fabric for an instant makeover of your garden furniture. Outdoor-friendly fabrics are the perfect way to dress up any old piece of furniture in minutes. And you can change the look as often as you want. Another quick and easy way to dress up your old plastic furniture is with slipcovers. Ready-made, outdoor-friendly covers are available in a wide ranges of colors and styles. Just slip them on and off as you need! Create a Perfect Design Every Time Paint on colorful patterns with perfect ease by using painter's tape.