Tips for Choosing Outdoor Furniture and Fire Pit Furniture

When choosing outdoor furniture, it is important that your choice is resistant to the type of weather conditions that you would expect from the area in which you live. When it comes to fire pit furniture, give your fire pit just that: respect. Many forget that they are dealing with an open fire, so here are some tips to help choose outdoor furniture that will last and be safe too.

1. Take a look at your space

Measure the space available to you. If the furniture is restricted, such as on a patio, make sure you don’t buy more than you can fit. Measure the table and add an additional 2 feet for the chairs. Also note that it will take another 2 feet to walk behind the chairs. If it’s a wheelchair, you’ll need a 60-inch turning clearance. A fire pit will also take up space.

If there isn’t a room planner on the seller’s website, make sure you get the dimensions of each piece you want to buy, and then measure everything in your yard before you buy. If you don’t have space, then a sofa will save space above the chairs, and bar stools and a bar table will save even more.

2. Decide the furniture you want

How many people do you want to serve? Will a small table for 2-4 suffice or do you need one larger table, or several smaller tables? Do you need umbrellas for shade and is some storage space required? How about storage for your outdoor furniture? Do you have space inside or in your garage?

Your options include benches, chairs, loveseats, coffee tables, cocktail tables, end tables, chaise lounges, rocking chairs, patio swings, hammocks, and a fire pit. You’d need a big yard to accommodate all of this! What about the cushions and what material will your outdoor furniture be made of? Here are some tips on materials:

3. Outdoor furniture material tips

a) Plastic: plastic is cheap and cheerful and available in just about any color you can think of. It can be molded into any shape and can often be stacked. However, it has three major drawbacks:

i – It is light and can be thrown in strong winds. You might wake up one morning to find it all gone, or floating in the sea if you have a house by the beach.

ii – It is easily damaged and stained. Excessive heat and humidity can damage plastic furniture, as can exposure to moisture which will create water spots. These cannot be deleted. Avoid plastic for fire pit furniture.

ii – Your visitors’ perception of you will be influenced by your plastic outdoor furniture. This isn’t always guaranteed because many people choose plastic because it’s easy to stack and store in winter, and it’s also lightweight, making it easier for older people to handle.

b) Wrought iron: This material is highly durable and will only need an occasional coat of paint to keep it in top condition. It is strong, but is subject to corrosion (rust) if the paint is penetrated in any way. Watch for rust bubbles. Wrought iron is also heavy, so it can sink into soft surfaces like grass and sand.

c) Aluminum: Aluminum is much lighter than iron, making it more suitable for gaseous areas; it is also resistant to corrosion, but can rust. Avoid rusting with automotive paint or wax. It can distort on impact and is not as durable as iron.

d) Wicker: Wicker is lighter than aluminum but heavier than plastic. Genuine wicker outdoor furniture is formed by weaving natural plant fiber around a frame in the shape of the furniture. The best wicker furniture is made with a teak frame, while cheaper grades use steam-molded wicker frames. The frame will eventually rot if it is not protected from wet conditions.

e) Resin Wicker: This is wicker made of plastic that is woven around a thick aluminum or plastic frame. It’s coated to look like the real thing and is more durable, lighter, and easier to clean than real wicker.

f) Solid Wood: Wooden outdoor furniture looks good, although wood changes color and appearance when exposed to the elements. The surface must be sealed if the original appearance is required. Common woods are mahogany, eucalyptus, teak, cedar, redwood, and cypress. Cedar is very common for outdoor patio furniture due to its natural insecticide and preservative, although this North American type of wood lasts 10-50% of the life of the first three tropical hardwoods.

Finally, if you intend to use cushions, make sure the material is light resistant and allows for good ventilation throughout the cushion. Make sure they are double sided to get the best wear out of them.

Fire pit furniture essentially follows the guidelines above, although if the wind turns they may be subject to sparks. Therefore, you should avoid plastic and choose genuine rattan or hardwood. Otherwise, the same general principles apply.