Especially in times of economic hardship, people will naturally gravitate to the free Riviera of their
\nown garden when the sun is blazing, rather than spend a small fortune jetting off to overpriced holiday
\nresorts and returning exhausted. The summer months are the time to enjoy your garden, and to
\ndo this most effectively you need to have decent garden furniture to relax on. Otherwise, it will be
\nlike sitting in an empty room on a couple of up-ended crates \u2013 hardly an arrangement conducive to
\ncomfort and relaxation.
\nHow much light enters the garden is a major consideration. This can be effectively controlled by the
\ncreative use of parasols as a solution in the short term, or if you want to have flexible arrangements
\nfor different occasions. Alternatively, think of setting up an arbour as an attractive fixed place to sit,
\nideally fitted out with an ironwork or rattan garden table and chairs at the opposite end of the garden
\nto the house, with a narrow pathway leading to it.
\nThe joys of wood
\nIt is important to ensure that the furniture you choose for the garden actually fits with the design of the
\ngarden itself. Wooden seating, for example, can be quite attractive and will go with many different
\ngarden designs; there are several different types of wood to choose from including teak, oak, pine,
\nand cedar.
\nFor a hard-wearing and long-lasting, durable surface go for teak, which will keep its appearance for
\nmany years. You can assist its graceful ageing by rubbing oils into the wood so that it always retains
\nthat attractive teak appearance and colour. On the other hand, you can just leave it to weather and
\nallow it to gradually acquire that beautiful shade of grey with a silver tint that perfectly complements a
\ngarden setting.
\nAnother very popular choice is cedar furniture. This attractive wood can remain unfinished for a
\nnatural look and will last for years with very little maintenance.
\nWhatever your tastes in wooden furniture, make sure that it is sourced from renewable forests before
\nbuying.
\nOther types of garden furniture for the summer
\nAs with household furniture, there is such a range of garden furniture now available that buyers
\nshould be certain to take some time and shop around for a style that reflects their personal taste, and
\nwhich will enhance their existing patios, arbours, and terraces.
\nThe decadent feel seems to be fashionable again, for instance, and this can be enhanced by the use
\nof a wrought iron table and chairs, which will also constitute a good investment because they will last
\nforever if treated reasonably well.
\nWicker garden furniture is also an excellent idea if you prefer a more comfortable look and feel,
\nbecause these items are quickly and attractively accessorised by adding puffy, colourful cushions to
\nthem \u2013 ideal for sprawling on during a late balmy afternoon with friends and a few bottles of chilled
\nChardonnay.
\nThose who are seeking a more contemporary look \u2013 for example, those living in more urban settings
\n\u2013 might consider an aluminium patio set as opposed to going for the more rural, \u2018green\u2019 look with
\ntraditional wooden furniture. Cast aluminium is generally longer-lasting and more attractive than the
\ncheaper hollow variety.
\nThe British summer being what it is it is also wise to have protection for garden furniture readily to
\nhand. You should also keep appropriate cleaning materials close by for clearing up nasty stains such
\nas those from spilled wine and swatted flies before they permanently damage the materials. Wooden
\nfurniture should be oiled every few months, and plastic items can simply be cleaned using a mild
\ndetergent before being hosed down.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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