Outdoor furniture for the terrace
Every year in spring, the longing for fresh air is back. We want to be in the green, feel the warm rays of the sun and feel in harmony with nature. Plants, parasols, outdoor carpets, decorations and fairy lights make their way onto terraces and balconies. But to feel like you're on holiday in the sunshine, comfortable furniture is a must!
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The terrace as an extended living space
Outdoor areas are becoming more and more homely, almost like a recreation area in front of the patio door. Modern outdoor furniture now looks just as good as indoor furniture. The only difference is that the garden furniture must be UV, water and frost resistant. As the dominant design element on the terrace, you make a stylistic statement with your garden furniture. When choosing furniture, the aspects of durability and comfort are important in addition to appearance. Which version is right for you depends on your personal requirements in terms of design and quality and, last but not least, on your budget.
Which material is suitable for outdoors?
Many people prefer furniture made of natural materials. Wood has a warm appearance and blends in well with the colour of the garden and its planting. Weather-resistant species include eucalyptus, teak and acacia. The precious wood teak remains attractive for decades due to its high content of natural oils. But also wood species from domestic cultivation, such as pine, larch or oak, look great for many years with a special coating.
Rattan is also a natural product. The fast-growing plant from the rainforest is popular above all because of its low weight and high durability. To make garden furniture made of rattan suitable for the outdoors, it must be waxed or coated with a transparent plastic layer.
Metal furniture comes across as rather cool but stylish. Aluminium and stainless steel have a special powder coating that makes them weatherproof and resistant to corrosion. However, the material tends to heat up in summer. With an appropriate protective cover, metal furniture can be left outside in winter.
Plastic furniture is easy to transport, durable and easy to clean because of its smooth surface. However, plastic furniture is less stable under load than wood or metal. When buying, look for high-quality, solid-coloured material and a water-repellent paint finish. Polyrattan furniture is also made of plastic. On the outside, the wickerwork hardly differs from natural (real) rattan. However, polyrattan is less sensitive to moisture and cold.
Those who value sustainability should look for garden furniture made from recycled plastic (polyethylene). Some manufacturers have, for example, loungers and chairs with textile covers made from PET bottles or plastic furniture made from tetra packs in their collection. The garden furniture made from recycled plastic is just as high quality as products made from new plastic and is also in no way inferior to them in terms of design.
When guests come...
A rule of thumb for the space required per person is 50 - 70 cm. With an extendable dining table, you have a real ace up your sleeve if you regularly want to receive guests at home. There are various options for the way it works. A simple variant is the extension leaf, which is stored separately and attached to the ends as needed. A somewhat more convenient option is the pull-out shelf. Here you pull on both sides of the table to pull it apart in the middle. This creates a gap for the insert boards, which are usually stored under the table. You can then remove them and place them on the exposed table frames. The so-called butterfly pull-out works in a similar way. However, the inserts are not loose here, but can be quickly unfolded after being pulled apart.
The synchronous pull-out is even faster. While the table is pulled out on one side, both sides move outwards at the same time. Then all that remains to be done is to fold up the insert and gently push the table together again. In particular, column tables with a centrally placed leg often have such a pull-out. Round dining tables are also available with an extension function. In this way, you can quickly transform your piece of furniture into an oval table. Since everyone sits equidistant from each other, family members and guests can easily converse with each other. This promotes sociability and communication. However, a round dining table generally needs more space than a square one.
You don't just want to use your table for eating, but also to decorate it attractively? Wide tables and long tables are particularly suitable as presentation areas for decorative accessories. If you use an uneven number of items when decorating, for example three vases or five candlesticks, it will look very harmonious. When combining different items, you should take into account the height differences and drape them according to size.
A comfortable connoisseur's corner
For breakfast at the weekend, a coffee break in the afternoon or a barbecue with friends, comfortable seating on the terrace is indispensable. The basic equipment includes a table and matching chairs or benches. Many dining table sets perfectly combine elegance and functionality. For example, some sets can be pushed together to form a cube when not in use, which is particularly advantageous for narrow terraces. If there are two of you in everyday life, but you receive guests from time to time, an extendable garden table offers flexibility.
An adjustable backrest on the chair has the advantage that it can be placed upright for eating and allows a relaxing position for chatting afterwards. Also make sure that the seat height is correct. There should be no more than 30 cm of space between the tabletop and the seat to allow for a comfortable posture while eating. If you want to stay at the table longer, a seat cushion or upholstered pad is a must. These are available in many different sizes and colours. While muted pastel shades blend discreetly into the overall picture, you can create beautiful contrasts with bright colours and striking ornaments.
I treat myself to some time off
Now it's time to relax! A sun lounger invites you to relax, read a book or sunbathe. You can choose between a rolling sun lounger, a folding sun lounger, a tilting sun lounger, a swinging sun lounger or a multifunctional sun lounger, with or without armrests, upholstered or with quick-drying polyester mesh fabric and many other extras. An outdoor sofa or lounge chair is also perfect for putting your feet up. Many manufacturers have complete seating groups made of polyrattan, wood or metal in their range. Furniture made from a mix of materials, for example with powder-coated aluminium frames and teak shelves, is also popular.
If you have enough space on the terrace, you can set up an entire lounge island, a sun bed or a rocking lounger to loll about in the sun. The backrest of some Hollywood swings can also be folded down into a reclining surface in just a few easy steps. Do you prefer something unusual? There are now even air-filled lounge chairs and inflatable loungers available. So everyone can find their favourite place to relax.
Where to put the coffee cup or cool drink?
While you relax, you can place drinks bottles, snacks and other small items on a side table or bistro table. Practical: The top of some tables can be removed and used as a tray. In addition, many side tables have integrated adjusting screws on the feet that compensate for uneven ground on the terrace. If the table is made of the same material as your other garden furniture, the overall impression is harmonious. However, you can also use a change of style to set the scene for the side table. For example, by combining a concrete block with wooden furniture or a wooden stool with aluminium lounge furniture.
Special serving trolleys or barbecue trolleys, which can be easily pushed to the side with two wheels, provide storage space at the barbecue party. A great feature for the summer are also garden bar tables with an included cooler, in which you can put your drinks on ice. The height of the table top can be adjusted with a telescopic mechanism. Now you have a bistro table at your disposal!
Storage solutions for the terrace
Of course, the outdoor area should not lack practical storage and shelving options. A garden cupboard is ideal for storing garden utensils, tools or barbecue accessories. Depending on the design, the cupboards have various shelves, wall hooks and tool holders so that everything can be found at a glance when the door is opened. Ladder shelves or open outdoor shelving systems provide storage space. They often allow flexible compartmentalisation that adapts to the personal needs of the user. In a garden chest or garden box with different capacities, you can store cushions, upholstered cushions and folding chairs in a dry place overnight. Some models can also be used as seating. Many cabinets and boxes can also be locked with an integrated rotary handle cylinder lock.
Freshening up the outdoor furniture
Garden furniture really takes a beating. While it is stored in the shed or garage (or at least under a protective cover) over the winter, it is often exposed to the weather unprotected in the summer. Wooden furniture in particular can suffer from this. You can remove coarse dirt with a small broom and a damp cloth. For stains and heavier soiling, a special wood cleaner can help. This removes dirt as well as any lichen or moss that may be present. Complete wood care sets containing a cleaning agent and a care polish are also available in shops.
Caution is advised with unvarnished wooden furniture. If they are wiped down too wet, the fibres can swell. It is therefore better to apply a weather protection, i.e. a glaze, oil or varnish. Wood oil should always be matched to the wood type of the piece of furniture. You should refresh this sealant every few years. Be sure to wear household gloves to protect your skin when applying the oil.
Furniture made of plastic or metal can be cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner or a special metal care product. Remember to oil threads and joints occasionally. Polyrattan furniture is robust against the elements, but it will stay beautiful longer if you care for it once or twice a year with a special plastic wicker cleaner. This way, your patio and balcony furniture will be ready for the next garden season!
Rust can be removed with a so-called rust converter. Before you apply it with a brush, you should remove loose particles with a brush. After treatment, clean the area well (with water or metal cleaner).
Light-coloured plastic furniture can turn yellowish due to UV radiation. Sometimes it is possible to remove the discolouration with a diluted plastic cleaner. After spraying, you should leave the cleaner on for several minutes, then wipe it off with a damp cloth and rub it dry.
The surface should be cleaned and dry before treatment. The cleaner is applied thickly to the wood with a stain brush in the direction of the grain. Then leave to soak in according to the manufacturer's instructions (usually 10 minutes). Then rub with a sponge in the direction of the grain until the dirt is removed. Finally, wipe off with water and leave to dry. To give your furniture its old shine, you can now paint it with wood oil.
Grease stains are particularly visible on stainless steel. These can be removed with lukewarm water and a soft cloth or with stainless steel cleaner. If this is too time-consuming for you, matt-finished material is less demanding.
FSC stands for ür Forest Stewardship Council“. It is an international certification system that promises more sustainable and responsible management of forests.
Conclusion
When nature blossoms after winter, the birds chirp and the sun shines, hardly anyone stays indoors. Outdoor friends can best enjoy the summer on comfortable and tasteful garden furniture. There is a large variety of table groups, sun loungers and lounge systems in attractive designs for every requirement. Relaxation during the most beautiful time of the year is guaranteed!
