Understanding your design aesthetics, space and furniture use is paramount to choosing the right patio furniture pieces. Before you invest in a new outdoor setting, here are some things you should consider:

How do I choose patio furniture?

One of the most popular questions people ask is ‘How do I choose patio furniture that is right for me?’ Before you purchase any outdoor furniture piece there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself to help guide you.

• How big is my outdoor space? Do you have an intimate inner-city courtyard or a large garden? This will determine which pieces will fit in your space
• What do i want to do in my outdoor space? Dining and entertaining, lounging and relaxing, or both?
• Does this furniture need to withstand the external elements such as rain and wind or will it be protected?

What type of furniture is the most durable?

Teak is a superior material when it comes to patio furniture as it is strong and durable. Teak is renowned for its longevity and ability to survive exposure to the elements with very little maintenance. It’s high content of naturally occurring oils serves as a natural weatherproofing. These oils help in protecting against insects, water and rot. High-performance synthetic weaves are UV and fade-resistant, and are able to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions. We use a combination of handwoven, polyethylene weaves produced by Rehau and Ecolene.

What is the best material for patio furniture?

The materials we work with at Eco Outdoor are all designed to withstand elements outside. The best materials for patio furniture include:

• Aluminum:  a strong, stable material that is lightweight and rust resistant.
• Compact Laminate: Not only is it a stylish, low-maintenance material, but it is also an incredibly durable surface that can withstand exposure to the outdoor environment and daily use.
• Galvanised and Stainless Steel: renowned for lasting for over 20 years when subjected to severe weather conditions. The zinc coating protects the steel from rust, which is a crucial factor in maintaining outdoor furniture.
• Teak: perfect for patio furniture due to its natural weather-resistant properties and longevity. As it is relatively easy to work with, you’ll find outdoor tables, benches, storage and dining chairs made of teak.
• Synthetic weaves: are UV and fade-resistant, and are able to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
• Quick Dry Foam: This type of foam has large, open pores allowing drainage and air circulation, therefore it can be used readily after being wet or even saturated.

Read about all the materials we work with at Eco Outdoor. to help when choosing patio furniture.

When should I buy patio furniture?

A very common question “when should I buy patio furniture?” The start April and May is always a popular time to purchase outdoor furniture. With new furniture pieces released at the start Spring and allows you to get your pieces in time for the summer season. Another popular time to buy is August and September when the end of summer sales start. Here you can find patio pieces at a discounted rate.

What is the best quality patio furniture?

Comfort is really key when it comes to quality patio furniture because the way we live outdoors is different. Even those of us with busy lives like to take it slow; we lounge about and we spend more time relaxing into a chair with a good book or lounging about on a sofa chatting to friends. When it comes to patio furniture design, comfort and durability will always be slightly competing forces. The best reticulated quick dry foams will drain far more effectively than traditional Dacron foams. Both are fine for the outdoors but if you want something to leave outside in the rain all year round, we’d advise you to choose a hardier piece with reticulated foam.

Which wood is best for patio furniture?

Teak and cedar are two of the most popular choices when it comes to wood outdoor furniture. Teak is a hardwood that is naturally more dense and heavy than cedar. When it comes to durability teak is a superior timber to cedar. Of the two kinds of wood, teak patio furniture is generally more expensive than cedar for several reasons. Firstly, it is the harder of the two and will last longer in an outdoor environment than cedar. Secondly, it is more expensive to harvest and isn’t as available as cedar. Thirdly, it’s maintenance-free characteristics and solid nature makes it a more valuable wood.

Can you leave patio furniture in the rain?

Yes, the patio furniture at Eco Outdoor is made from durable, high quality materials designed to withstand the elements and be weatherproof. Materials such as compact laminate, aluminium, stainless steel and teak are all able to get wet. Cushions for outdoor pieces are made from quick dry foam, which have been specifically designed for outdoor use in residential applications and marine environments. Unlike conventional foam, quick dry foam drains quickly allowing the cushions to dry fast even after being saturated while protecting it against mould growth. Outdoor fabrics, such as Sunbrella®, are moisture, mildew and fade resistant.

How do you maintain patio furniture?

It’s important to maintain patio furniture in order for it to last longer. Understanding the materiality of your patio furniture will help you understand how to maintain it. For example, aluminium pieces simply need to be washed with soapy water before rinsing off with clean water and wiped clean. Read our comprehensive guide to outdoor furniture maintenance to understand each material care tip.

Best low maintenance outdoor furniture

Want to find the best low maintenance outdoor furniture pieces for your space?

• Aluminium and stainless steel patio furniture: simply needs to be washed in a soapy water solution, rinse with clean water and dried.
• Outdoor fabrics and cushions: Clean regularly with a mild soap and lukewarm water solution to avoid cracking or hardening. Simply rinse the fabrics to remove soap and leave to air dry.
• Compact laminate: this patio furniture material requires minimal maintenance and cleaning with a damp cloth is usually all that’s required.
• Teak: As with indoor furniture, regular cleaning is a must to keep teakwood free from pollens and dirt. Brush off and use a damp cloth to clean teak furniture. Teak can be refreshed periodically by using an appropriate teak or deck-cleaning solution such as Organoil and sanding lightly using 400 grit sandpaper.
• Synthetic Weave and Strapping: Clean with a mild soap and water solution and apply with a soft brush.

How much should you spend on patio furniture?

Buying furniture from quality materials will always save you money in the long term. The price of patio furniture generally reflects the quality of the materials and therefore the longevity of the piece. Choosing a high-grade quality teak table will last you for many years and be extremely durable to the elements, however, a cheaper plastic table will break easily and may not even last a season.

At Eco Outdoor we pride ourselves on choosing materials that not only look great but also require little maintenance.

Browse our collection of modern patio furniture