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Choosing Outdoor
Furniture for Your "Green" Patio
Many people today have lawns and gardens to make their dream home look more
beautiful and eye appealing. Yet turning your yard into more than just something
to look at -an outdoor living space that is super functional and truly extends
your living space takes planning.
Having uncomfortable furniture may be one of the biggest barriers keeping you
from enjoying the full potential of your outside living space. Just like your
favorite reading chair or TV couch that calls on you every evening, your outdoor
living space deserves the attention and care in picking furniture that fits your
personal style and quality as well.
If being green is a concept you are aiming for, eco-friendly outdoor furniture
is not only widely available but some very good designs are now appearing on the
market. Manufacturers are much more conscious about reusing old materials and
possible damage to the environment by chemical exposure and future
recyclability.
Remember the days when
plastic webbing was the only choice available for your favorite outdoor chair?
We’ve come a long ways since then and outdoor furniture
has taken on a
new role in making outdoor spaces more inviting, cozy and comfortable. Your
furniture can put the final touches on the message, “sit down and stay awhile”.
According to Lane Cummings from Northern Outdoor Decorating, for northern
climates, outdoor decor should convey as sense of warmth, even in the summer
months, which can be chilly at night. Use cushioned furniture for a sense of
warmth. Select furniture made out of standard outdoor material such as wicker,
rattan or wrought iron, but make sure that it has weatherproof cushions for
comfort. Avoid cool colors like gray, green or blue. Rather, stick to warmer
shades like red, orange, sienna, coppers and other colors that can brighten even
cool spring evenings. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the furniture you choose can
help extend the seasons your outdoor space can be used. Use wood rocking chairs
around a fire. You'll need to throw a tarp over these chairs overnight, but for
day and evening use, they will give a cozy feeling to the outdoor space. Pair
the chairs with matching or contrasting end tables for placing
drinks,
snacks or books upon.
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Your personal style is reflected in your taste and the quality of your
outdoor furniture, so when you are selecting pieces make sure they fit
with the overall look and feel of your home.
Having an
eco-friendly
lifestyle
can also
mean simply making outdoor furniture last longer. That starts with
buying quality
furniture with a long
life.
With easy steps like proper cleaning and maintenance, it is less
necessary to replace furniture as often.
Strength, low maintenance and heat and rain resistance are
considerations for the material of your outdoor furniture. Wicker and
rattan are mainstays in the outdoor furniture market, and while both are
more fragile, they are both eco-friendly materials. Rattan, cane, and
bamboo are grown in abundance and there’s no likelihood of mismanaging
their growth in their native regions. While they require more
maintenance and protection from the elements, they can last for years.
Teak on the other hand from
forests in India, Thailand and Indonesia has been degraded due to
unmanaged cutting. American teak is more expensive but the forests are
better maintained and it is considered eco-friendly.
Other green products on the market are the 100% recycled plastic outdoor
furniture. These pieces come in some beautiful new styles. Some have a
wood look while others are sleek and contemporary. Recycled aluminum
outdoor furniture is also very popular right now. You may not realize
that at least 31% of all aluminum is recycled, and that number is going
up. It is easy to find in almost any style. Traditional or modern, the
ability to recycle furniture is a huge bonus.
The trends in outdoor furniture range from elegantly stylish or
realistically simple. It is very popular to design and create a lush,
relaxing, resort like outdoor space furnished with luxury patio
furniture, accessories and rugs. Look for a combination
of style and utility.
Going green is not only sensible but also part of the equation for
your stylish outdoor furniture. Whether you shop at an online furniture
store or you shop in a traditional outdoor store, you are sure to find
what you need to create your
ideal outdoor living space.
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