Outdoor furniture: how to choose it and what to look out for

23 September 2022
Furniture
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When the sun is shining and you have an outdoor space, spending long days in the open air, in the comfort of your own garden or terrace, is truly beautiful.

At least, it is if you choose the right outdoor furniture! Relaxing in one's outdoor space can indeed be inviting and pleasant if the feeling is that of being in a well-furnished open-air living room, but it can also be uncomfortable if the furnishings are not suitable.

The outdoor spaces of our homes are, to all intents and purposes, extensions of the indoor spaces: they should therefore be treated with respect, taste and common sense.

Below you will find some useful tips for choosing the best outdoor furniture.

Before buying outdoor furniture, make a plan

Before buying any outdoor furniture, it is important to have an overview and to think strategically and consciously.

In general, we can divide outdoor furniture into three different categories and choose accordingly:

those to be used for relaxation (e.g. armchairs, poufs, hammocks, deckchairs, ...)
those that turn the outdoors into a real open-air living room (small tables, outdoor rugs, ...);
those that make outdoor spaces welcoming also for friends and guests (tables or supports for dining in comfort, chairs, comfortable armchairs, lights, ...).

If you have a large outdoor space, it might be possible to accommodate all three of these functions, for example by setting up a dining area with a table and chairs; a lounge area with sofas, armchairs and a coffee table; and a sunbathing area equipped with a chaise longue.

If you do not have a lot of space, because for example your outdoor area consists of a terrace, a small garden or a habitable balcony, it is up to you to decide which function to focus on, depending on your needs. Decide which activity you value most.

If you love cooking and entertaining, focus on turning your outdoor space into a place to prepare aperitifs and brunches, with chairs and tables. If you prefer to relax with family and friends, forget the dining table and create an outdoor living room with suitable sofas.

Choose the right outdoor furniture materials

Outdoor furniture manufacturers use a wide range of durable materials, most of which fall into two groups: those designed to withstand the elements, retaining their original appearance for many years, and those that will develop a patina over time.

If you want your outdoor furniture to look brand new for years to come, the best materials to focus on are powder-coated steel, aluminium, stainless steel and ultraviolet-resistant plastics.

Another approach is to purchase pieces made from woods such as teak, ipe, eucalyptus and mahogany, which are durable but will change appearance over time: if this does not bother you, then outdoor furniture made from natural materials is ideal.

The important thing, however, is to ensure that the materials used meet certain certifications and tests for outdoor durability and climate change: without these guarantees, the purchase is strongly discouraged.

Give your outdoor furniture a theme

As soon as you have worked out what kind of furniture you want to include in your outdoor space and which hard-wearing materials to focus on, the ideal would be to give your open-air living room a theme, so that all the accessories are in harmony with each other and make sense.

If all the interiors of your home have a specific, very obvious and distinctive theme (e.g. minimal, vintage, ethnic, Nordic, ...), you can think about reproducing the same style outside, for uniformity. If, on the other hand, you prefer to vary, we suggest you choose a theme that blends well with the outdoors and its context.

For example, if your home is in the mountains, you could go for a mountain decor, if it is in a maritime area you could go for a more marine theme, such as Mediterranean.

If you are in the city, you could use a more industrial, contemporary style.

The important thing, however, is to choose a theme and develop it with consistency and awareness: you will see how your exterior will be transformed into a cozy, beautiful to view and pleasant to live in!

The AGOF Store selection for outdoor furniture

At the AGOF Store you will find lots of furniture, accessories and household items with which to perfect the decor of your outdoor spaces. Take a look at the products we have selected for you in the carousel below and be inspired by our proposals!