Choosing the right décor for your home is tricky business, one mistake can be an expensive time waster. While your home is a reflection of your personality, one cannot escape following the latest trends. Selecting the colours, designs, patterns and sizes can be a rigorous activity, but with some research from your end and our sincere help, you can do wonders in giving your home a stylish makeover.
Outdoor furniture is as important as the indoor decor, synchronizing colours and designs is a laborious exercise as your options are endless but so are your risks. It can be tricky business but decorating one’s home can be a fulfilling experience. So let us get started!
Walk around your working space
First things first, inspect your outdoor space. Ask yourself questions like; how big is your outdoor area? What are some existing structures like, pool, fences or gardens that surround your area? These questions are important. The size of your outdoor space will determine the nature of the furniture. For small and cosy spaces, foldable and stackable furniture is ideal, whereas for large areas you can use furniture with round edges and multiple parts, such as modular lounges and dining sets.
Structures like pools, sheds, and fences will determine the placing of your furniture. Since most of these structures cannot be shifted, you need to plan your design keeping in mind their permanent place.
Choose the colour
Choosing the colours is a daunting task; you cannot afford to mess around with the colours of your furniture. While most colour choices are a matter of personal taste and style, one has to be aware of the existing colours in their outdoor space. Take note of the colours of your shed, pavers, and fences; this will help you choose the best-suited colour for your furniture. Manufacturers offer a wide range of colours for most pieces of furniture, so although it might be harder to decide on a palette, you know there will be the perfect combination for your space, you just have to find it!
Another important point that must be kept in mind while choosing colours for your outdoor furniture is the palette inside your house. Being consistent can be a great option and an easy one as well!
Material matters
For the most of us, we are unaware of the kind of material that suits our budget and our designing needs. While the options in the market are varied, remember to keep in mind the space and setting of your outdoor space. Here is a list of some material options to choose from.
One of our absolute favourites is Rattan/Wicker. This material is commonly used in making outdoor furniture. If you’re after a more traditional look, opt for Rattan. While there is a difference between Rattan and Wicker, they are not too removed from one another. To be specific, Wicker is the process through which a Rattan material comes to be. This process is commonly referred to as “weaving” while the material weaved is called Rattan. Rattan is a natural fibre that is harvested from a variety of palms generally grown in South-East Asia. While the natural fibre can still be used, its modern and synthetic variant has gained popularity recently. The synthetic Rattan also called polyethylene Rattan is water resistant and can stop the penetration of ultraviolet rays. The new version offers an improved feature over the natural Rattan and contributes to the preservation of this natural resource. In market terms, synthetic Rattan is also called resin wicker and is a great option to go for.
The common favourite amongst outdoor furinture is Timber. This material is like wine, the older the better! Timber ages to add strength to your furniture and also makes the furniture rot resistant. With some minimal care, like oiling and cleaning, you’ll get a decent life out of your furniture. However, if you wish to add a rustic touch to your décor, let your timber furniture remain untreated – naturally turning into a silvery-gray hue.
Aluminium our “Ironman”, a material with strength, and rust resistance, Aluminium will suit your outdoor décor perfectly. This material is a modern rage, thanks to its sleek and stylish look. You can also go for steel while choosing the material of your furniture. Steel is cheaper than aluminium but is prone to rust, so some additional care is necessary.
Let’s talk upholstery; some of the commonly used materials for pillows and cushions are polyester and cotton. Some manufacturers use a blend of cotton and polyester to make cushions, as these are UV resistant and weather treated. Most cushions can soak a small amount of water, but continuous dampening can lead to mould on the cushion. Use a mould remover and keep your cushion in dry places. For maximum life and quality keep your cushions dry and clean and place them in a weather resistant spot when not in use.
Some of the recent developments in technology have proved to be a boom for the fashion and designing market. Materials like Sunbrella are now the common choice for outdoor furniture. Sunbrella is a better alternative to polyester; though more expensive than polyester the material is highly resilient. Sunbrella is UV treated and provides durable resistance against mould, stains, and water.
Keep the environmental considerations in mind
We often forget how important our surrounding environment is while deciding our outdoor furniture. If you reside in an area that is frequently battered by strong winds, use heavy furniture as light weighted furniture can easily blow away. While choosing sheds and glass be careful to consider the need for sunlight and shade, apart from choosing the right colour.
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