Image via: Houzz

Taking Care of Your Outdoor Furniture this Summer

Image via: Patio Productions

Wicker Furniture

Wicker furniture has a lot of character thanks to its beautiful texture. However, the texture also makes it susceptible to dirt and debris. Use a handheld broom to wash away the dirt then hose down the furniture for a few minutes. Wicker can withstand direct sun better than other materials but make sure you store it during extreme weather.

Fabric Furniture

Fabrics can grow mold or wear out when exposed to the elements. Choose machine washable ones for your outdoor furniture. When the furniture gets dirty, simply remove the covers and wash them. Hammocks are usually too large for washers hence spots and spills should be cleaned immediately with dish soap and a damp cloth.

Wood Furniture

Image via: Wikihow

Wood absorbs moisture quickly than other materials and can get damaged if left in shady or damp areas. Cover your wooden furniture with a tarp when not in use. Also avoid exposing it to chemicals like pool supplies and pesticides. If it is varnished, wash it with a gentle detergent and warm water. After that, place it in the sun to dry.

Wrought Iron Furniture

Wrought iron furniture can be easily cleaned with warm water and mild soap. Examine yours occasionally for signs of weather damage such as rust. Wash any rust with soap and water thoroughly.  Sand the area afterwards and wipe it clean.

Image via: BHG

Aluminum and Plastic Furniture

Image via: Lux Home Decor

Clean aluminum and plastic furniture with a hose and scrub any tough spots with a soapy rug. After cleaning, leave the furniture in the sun to dry. However, be careful not to leave it out for too long as plastic warps and aluminum gets too hot in warm weather. Place the furniture under a shade or store it in the garage when not in use.

Outdoor furnishings come in a range of materials and can be difficult to maintain. Use the above outdoor furniture maintenance tips to ensure your furniture maintains a good appearance and lasts longer.

For more outdoor furniture tips on Stagetecture, click here.

There is something very quintessential about having a garden party, especially during those warmer Summer months. You don’t need an excuse to hold one, it could simply be because the sun is shining and you want to celebrate. Perhaps you do have an excuse; it’s your birthday, you’ve moved to a new home or maybe you’re getting married! Whatever the reason, hosting the perfect garden party can be exciting and daunting all at once. Not sure where to get started? Here are a few pointers to help make the most out of your event!

Image via: Style by Belle

[ad#co-1]

Food and drink

If you’re planning an early evening, or even an all day garden party, then you’re going to need to think about feeding your guests. If the weather is particularly nice then one of the best options is going to be a barbecue. You don’t need to fork out for an expensive BBQ set, as there are plenty of disposable ones available in supermarkets. Simply light them up, cook your food and throw them away when you’re done.

It’s customary for guests to bring food to a BBQ, so you don’t need to worry about buying hundreds of sausages and a whole barrel of potato salad. If you want to organise it so that everyone brings something different then add a note on the invite asking them politely to bring a certain dish. It could be some burgers, a pack of sausages or salad. Just don’t ask them to bring the whole lot!

When it comes to drinks, make sure you have a good selection available for adults and children. Squash and juice for those who would prefer not to drink (or who are too young!) and beer, wine and even some spirits for those who do want to. Pimms is a great Summer drink and always goes down well at a garden party. Make sure you invest in some plastic cups and plates, so that those who have a had a bit too much don’t end up breaking glass and crockery!

Image via: Pinterest

Making the most of the space

You don’t need to have a huge garden to hold an outdoor party, although you need to make sure everyone has space to move! Be prepared for some guests to loiter inside, especially the kitchen, if there’s not enough room outside. You are going to need some seating for guests to make use of, but don’t rush out and buy hundreds of chairs. Some events companies will loan you chairs and tables for the party, which will be cheaper than rushing out to buy a whole new garden set.

If you have a limited budget then make use of all the furniture you can from within the home. As long as the weather is nice, you can bring dining room furniture outside and even camping chairs, stools and tables. Dot them around the garden and let people move them around to form little groups, for a friendly and social atmosphere.

Image via: Stylizmo

Partying through the night

If you’re planning on partying throughout the evening, then make sure you’re prepared for it. As it gets darker people will try to move inside, unless there are some lights to brighten up the garden. You can use solar powered fairy lights, that charge through the day and come on automatically, for that pretty garden party feel. Get creative and place them in bushes, trees and around garden tables so that outside lights up!

You’ll find some really beautiful solar fairy lights that even look like little flowers, which will help add to that garden party atmosphere. Remember, if you are going to carry on through the evening to let the neighbours know, or you may start getting some knocks on the door. In fact, if you invite the neighbours then there will be nobody to complain!

Karen loves to entertain and her legendary garden parties are either loved or hated if you are a neighbour. Although those neighbours wouldn’t beleive it, Karen believes in making as little impact on her surroundings as possible that’s why she sells eco-friendly garden party lighting at  www.worldofsolar.com/solar-fairy-lights.

For more outdoor activities for you and your family click here.

The summer is finally here, it’s time to dig out the sunscreen and venture into the garden! We love nothing more than to sit back and relax with friends and family, in the comfort of our own home. The one thing that most of us will use is some kind of garden furniture, it is therefore important to keep this in tip top condition. Maintaining garden furniture is the most cost effective way of ensuring long lasting furniture to use for many years. Below is some advice that will help you with your maintenance.

Image via: Amber Freda Home & Garden

[ad#co-1]

A little bit of preparation:

One of the most popular forms of garden furniture is wooden tables and chairs. These are also one of the most prone to wearing and getting damaged. The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and your furniture will be protected. One of the best ways to protect your furniture is by giving it a coat of quality wood stain such as the Ronseal one. It would be easy to think that the only use for wood stain is to make the furniture look good, but it has many more benefits than that. It is highly water repellent and UV resistant to prevent colour fade. It also helps to prevent cracking and blistering. It is always good to give your furniture a yearly coat to keep it well protected.

Image via: Lusona Home

Survive the winter:

It goes without saying that the long winter months cause the most damage to garden furniture. This is why it is very important to protect them as much as you can during this time. Garden furniture can be made with many different materials therefore different methods can be used. Furniture that is made from plastic or canvas is always best kept indoors. It is always a good idea to give them a good wash down and store them in the back of a garage or shed.

If you don’t have room another alternative would be to cover them with a thick protective sheet. The downside to this is that the weather may cause them to become brittle over time. Some of the heavier materials such as wood or metal would be a lot more difficult to move. What you should do is clean them and check them for any damage. It is also a good idea to give them a coat of protective paint and repair any damage. You must then cover with a thick protective sheet and secure down with a heavy material such as bricks to prevent wind blowing the sheet away. If you get a dry day in winter it is always a good idea to give them a check over to make sure they are fully covered and no damage is been caused.

Image via: Axis Mundi

It’s more than just furniture:

With any garden furniture it needs its own dedicated areas in the garden to call its own. One of the most popular areas to have furniture is on decking. It is therefore every important to maintain your decking to ensure you garden furniture’s longevity. Decking is easy to maintain as long as you follow a few simple tips and advice. It is good to sweep up any debris and give it a wash down with a hose pipe or pressure washer. You can then add water and bleach to a bucket according to the correct ratio on the back of the bottle. Scrub into the decking, leave for 15 minutes and wash off. Once it is dry it is then a good idea to give it a cost of decking stain such as the Ronseal one, to make it look brand new and also add a vital layer of protection.

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The durability of any furniture is tested when it’s exposed to an outdoor environment. There are several factors that will contribute to the deterioration of your furniture. The heat of the sun, precipitation, and other environmental factors can simply curtail the longevity of your furniture and downgrade its appearance.

Indeed, it is very important to consider the material used for your furniture. The ability of the materials used for the furniture to sustain the outdoor environment can spell the difference. Otherwise, you will be replacing your outdoor furniture time and time again.

Image via: Alexandra Lauren Designs

Check out these great Faux Wicker materials for outdoor furniture:

Plastic Wicker Furniture:

This is basically one of the most popular choice for outdoor furniture. Plastic materials can withstand heat and wet climate. Another advantage of plastic is its availability and easy to shape. It doesn’t fade easily as compared with other materials. Plastic furniture is also light and very portable. You can simply re-arrange your furniture and move them from one place to another.

[ad#co-1]

Resin Garden Furniture:

Resin is formed by combining chemicals and additives. These ingredients fabricate robust and highly durable furniture. The best thing with resin is that it produces a more attractive look when you compare it with other materials. It is waterproof and heatproof. Of course, it doesn’t easily crack or fade.

Image via: Bountiful

Rattan Outdoor Furniture:

Rattan is best for people who want to have furniture made of natural materials. Although this type of material may deteriorate faster than resin and plastic but then you can prolong its life by painting or covering. Furniture made of rattan can command attention to your guest as it offers ultimate comfort.

Make sure that you have considered everything before deciding what is the best faux wicker material for outdoor furniture. It would help if you know the climate condition in your area.

For more outdoor furniture tips on Stagetecture, click here.

The umbrella for your patio performs several functions. It shields you from direct heat of the sun and gets rid of rain showers. Another function of a patio umbrella is it enhances the looks of your patio in various ways. It can provide an accent to the overall looks of your patio.

More than the protection that the patio umbrella brings is the undeniable beauty it generates. You can even set the tone of your patio settings with the use of an umbrella. The patio umbrella comes in different designs that fit your preference.

Image via: Bowman Group Photography

Take note of these great ideas in choosing the right patio umbrella:

Outset Rotating Umbrella

The outset rotating umbrella is beauty and stability combined. This type of umbrella can withstand the test of outdoor environment. It is designed to hold steady even in high winds and keep straight in a sunny weather. This makes it perfect for any type of patio settings.

Image via: Peter A. Sellar 

[ad#co-1]

Fiberglass Olefin Crank and Tilt

This is style and comfort at its best. The Fiberglass Olefin Crank and Tilt patio umbrella is built for flexibility. You can tilt the upper part of the umbrella according to your desired angle. The fiberglass material is also perfect for windy areas. It can maintain a steady hold even on windy days.

Image via: Chicago Green Design Inc.

Coral Coast Offset Umbrella

This is probably one of the most popular patio umbrellas today. It is simple and durable but very attractive. It matches well with any type of the patio table. There are several Coral Coast Offset umbrellas that can be tilted according to how you want it.

A number of patio umbrellas are available in the market today. You will be amazed at how designers come up with excellent designs without compromising functionality. Don’t forget to measure your table so you can assess the coverage of your preferred patio umbrella.

For more outdoor tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Patio furniture can add a sense of style and function to the area outside your home.  With the right pieces you could even start considering the area outdoor living space that you and guests can retreat to away from the clutches of stuffy indoor life.  Over time pieces may fall into disrepair, and you may contemplate throwing them out, but before you do please consider repairing your outdoor furniture first.  What a waste it would be to toss it aside when a few minutes of your time might have saved it from the wretchedness of the landfill.  Most patio furniture repairs can be done with minimal time commitments, so you can keep on using the beloved pieces that welcome you to enjoy the outdoors.

Image via: Ronni Hock

[ad#co-1]

Repairing Hinged Chairs

A hinged chair designed for outdoor use can be beautiful and convenient.  When not in use it can be easily folded up and put in storage.   As it is used over the years, sometimes it can become damaged and might need repair work.  Lawn chairs, which are typically the most used pieces of outdoor furniture, might need attention when damage is present.  If, for example, a chair has a hinged seat and the hinge is worn out, it wouldn’t cost much money to run to the hardware store and get a new one.  Once you arrive home, you can use the appropriate hand tool to remove the broken hinge and install the new one.  Usually instructions can be found on the packaging the hinge comes in.  It’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive fix that might enable you to hold on to a lawn chair that could last several more years.

Image via: Harmony Design Group

Fixing Wobbly Tables

If you find that your outdoor table has become wobbly over the years, it might be in need of some repair work.  Rather than scrapping the entire thing and starting over, think about preserving what you have and taking the time to do a good job making it stable again.  Take these tips into consideration as you repair the table:

1. Put the table on a surface that is hard and level, that way you can find out what is causing the wobble.
2.  If you find the wobble is caused by a leg, look closely at it to determine why.  Check the underside of the table leg to see if it is missing a knob that may have been inlayed against it.  If it is missing, find a replacement at the hardware store and install it.  The wobble will go away once the table can sit squarely on the ground.
3. Loose joints might also be the cause of a wobbly table.  If you find a loose joint or two, tighten the screws in the joint and be sure to apply a generous amount of wood glue.  If you have a clamp, use it to secure the joint until it dries completely.  If you don’t have one, you can secure the joint by tying rope around the joint and table legs.  Be sure to allow the joint to dry completely before turning the table over and using it again.

There are many repairs that can be done before outdoor furniture is truly worn out and unusable.  Before throwing it out and contributing to your local landfill, think about how you might repair it and keep it in good shape for years to come.

For more outdoor porch ideas on Stagetecture, click here.