Alfresco Furnishings
The first pieces of outdoor furniture I remember were on my grandparent’s screened porch in Worthington, Ohio. My Grandpa Lyle had a willowy rocking chair and nearby sat a wooden picnic table – you know, the clunky kind with attached wooden benches that took a small army to move on account of its bulk. We spent hours on that porch eating summer lunches and playing games. Furniture in an outdoor space may come as an afterthought to some. But just like in interior spaces, careful selection can mean the difference between a space that is lived in and one that is not.
There are many things to consider when selecting outdoor furniture. The amount of space that is available. The use the furniture will serve. The style that will suit the space best. What material the furniture is made from. And whether or not to add accessories to the space.
Accurately measuring the space where you’re planning to place furniture is an important first step. This will inform what size furniture will fit the scale proportionally and how many pieces to use. Careful consideration of foot traffic flow is also important while determining layout. In our design process, we will place furniture graphics in the design to help clients visualize options.
Next, considering the activities the furniture needs to facilitate is important. Is it for lounging in the sun or dining al fresco? Then beyond the uses what are the specific needs that need to be met? If you’re selecting a table for outdoor dining, how many people does it need to seat? We have a handful of clients who plan to host big family gatherings in their outdoor spaces. A table that seats 12 is an ask we hear often. In addition, because they are family gatherings, there are multiple ages seated at the table which influences the type of chairs we choose.
In today’s market exterior use furniture comes in multiple materials. Gone are the days when it was just wood. The list is endless with composite, aluminum, resin, wicker, wrought iron, concrete and plastic possibilities. To know which material will suit your space best, there are more questions to consider. Will you be moving the furniture often or will it primarily stay in one place? You wouldn’t want to move my grandparents picnic table, trust me! If you plan to move your furniture often, perhaps a lighter plastic or aluminum type would be a better option. How much maintenance will it need and are you willing to do it? Composites available now decrease maintenance needs significantly unlike traditional wood which requires staining or painting for longevity. Will the furniture be located in full sun or covered in a screened porch like my grandpa’s rocking chair? Do you live in Arizona or Michigan where climates yield very different characteristics? The wind here in Michigan can wreak havoc with your outdoor furniture. Opting for weightier materials can minimize damage and keep things in place.
Lastly, have some fun in the process and take the opportunity to incorporate your personal style. Create some continuity between your indoor and outdoor spaces by repeating design themes. If you prefer minimalism, select furniture that reflects this with clean lines and free of frills. Then move from the furniture and consider the accessories – cushions, pillows, and planter pots. Sometimes just repeating a color adds that subtle touch. My color is blue, another client prefers red. In both cases, the colors live indoors and outdoors showing a snippet of our personalities.
I am now the grateful owner of my Grandpa Lyle’s rocking chair. It reminds me how meaningful the things we take for granted can be. Things like furniture. So in our busy lives, it’s worth taking the time to stop and think about.