A Life Outdoors

- Karen Booth

If you spend any amount of time outdoors, furniture is a must — but you need to think about the practicalities, not just the looks. “Firstly, the function of the space you plan to furnish needs to be considered. Is the area mainly for dining or lounging or both? How many people need to be accommodated? Then there are other considerations, such as will the furniture be under cover or open to the elements,” says landscape designer Aaron Worth of Utopia Landscape Design.

Adds David Walker of Swifts Outdoor Furniture, “It’s also important to know the size of your area as it’s very easy in a big showroom to buy something that will be too big for your space. Another factor is upkeep. If your area is roofed, you can buy any quality outdoor furniture and need to do very little maintenance but if the area is unroofed, are you prepared to do what’s required, such as regularly oiling timber?”

Weight is another consideration. “Weight and what the piece is made out of is very important as heavy pieces can be frustrating to move,” says Aaron. “Outdoor furniture is usually cleaned more frequently than indoor furniture so having something that is easy to move helps.”

A MATTER OF STYLE

Furniture selection typically comes after the garden has been designed, so it’s a matter of finding pieces that appeal to your personal sense of style as well as complementing the design of your outdoor space.