Better Homes and Gardens

Creating an elegant, contemporary garden, patio or porch can be a bit intimidating. What type of materials should you look for? What materials stand the test of time? Dressing your outdoor living area up for warm weather shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Take your time and enjoy shopping around. Chances are you already have something in mind; maybe you even have the perfect arrangement planned in your head. Shop around in town until you find the perfect pieces to make your dream a reality. Don’t forget to shop online for contemporary garden furniture too! The Internet grants great opportunities for furniture designers and sellers to provide excellent deals on the perfect contemporary furniture to match your needs.

Materials Used for Outdoor Furniture

European synthetic rattan is one of the newest and most common materials used in the creation of outdoor contemporary furniture. Rattan is the name used to describe about 600 species of palms in Africa, Asia and Australasia. Unlike their tall cousins, these palms are vine-like and bend easily; making them the perfect solution to creating wicker and other outdoor furniture. European synthetic rattan is created to be a nearly perfect match to natural rattan without cutting these magnificent plants from the underbrush of the rainforests.

Outdoor furniture has special characteristics that help it withstand most climates and still look great. Design is one key factor of course, but the actual material that the furniture is made of is the most important thing to keep in mind. Some materials that have a plastic coating, or any type of wood that isn’t weather treated, are very prone to rot, mould or mildew. Plastics are much less expensive and are often considered temporary solutions to a long-term issue. If you are unsure of the type of furniture you want or you simply need more time gathering information about your dream contemporary garden furniture, buy an inexpensive plastic set for starters. Plastics aren’t nearly as durable or expensive as other materials. If you’re looking for a set that would last 1 or 2 years until you buy a permanent set, a cheaper material would be the way to go.

When you’re ready to commit and purchase a more permanent set, choose something made from a durable material like teak, rattan or European synthetic rattan. Teak is a very light, natural wood that’s great for outdoor furniture. Rattan is a light weight vine-like palm that grows in the rainforests of Asia and Africa. European synthetic rattan is created to look and feel just like natural rattan without the risk to the ecosystem.

Garden Tables and Chairs

When selecting your garden tables and chairs, choose a style that fits your lifestyle. The purpose of your patio or garden furniture is to allow you the opportunity to relax and unwind after a tough week of work. If you aren’t comfortable with or in your garden furniture you won’t be able to truly relax in it. A full set of European synthetic rattan contemporary garden table and chairs will withstand all weather extremes and be beautiful for years to come. It’s a comfortable alternative to other types of wood-based wicker because it doesn’t splinter.

Parasols are a great way to provide shade if your garden or patio area are not protected by other forms of shade. They actually provide more than just shade and protection for human skin; they’re great protection for your furniture as well. The sun and rain can be very damaging to some finishes. A parasol over your garden furniture will not only help maintain the lasting beauty of your furniture, it will help prevent painful burns if your furniture overheats.

The garden furniture mentioned in this article is available on line from Go Modern, who have a great selection of garden tables & chairs, garden sofas, parasols & more. For white garden furniture The White Home is a good place to start.