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Garden Furniture Company
Gone are the days when it was ok to throw an old blanket on the lawn, with a couple of cushions from the lounge, in order to make somewhere to sit in the garden. Nowadays, people look for comfort and style when enjoying their outside space and many homes furnish their gardens, patios and balconies with expensive dining and seating areas, to complement their interior décor.
The garden makeover shows that were so popular a decade ago are undoubtedly to blame - or to thank - at least in part, for this development.
Outdoor Room
Certainly, most stores now consider gardens to be an extra room – just think about what you can buy these days: wood-stains for fences in a range of colours, not just the old brown creosote of yesteryear; lighting for your garden parasol, trees, decks or walls; patio heaters – whether fire-pits, chimneas or gas heaters; gas bbqs, or traditional barbecues; garden furniture sets; hammocks; garden gazebos; garden benches: swing benches; sun loungers and hot tubs. With all that, some gardens could be better furnished that many lounges!
If you are intending to purchase some garden furniture, there are a number of things to think about. Firstly, where will it be positioned? Do you have a patio or deck that you can utilise? Or are you planning to find a firm and flat area of the lawn? Which direction does your garden face? If it is south-facing, you are likely to have sun all through the day and into the evening. If it faces north, you might find that your garden is in shadow a lot of the time. East facing will provide plenty of sunlight in the morning – maybe breakfast on the patio - and west facing will give you sun in the evening, ideal for a glass on wine after work. If you face north, you might choose to place your table and chairs right at the end of your garden, to make the best use of available sun.
Garden Benches
A garden bench makes a perfect addition to any outside area. It doesn’t require much space, and is equally at home on a balcony, on a small patio, by the poolside or under a tree in a larger garden.
A teak garden bench is durable and hard-wearing, and a quick coat of teak oil every autumn will keep your bench looking as good as new for many years to come. Add some cushions, and you can sit comfortably for hours, whether you like to read, eat, chat with friends or simply watch the world go by.
Many styles of garden bench are available these days, and none is more attractive than the Lutyens bench, named after the Thakeham bench which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the greatest British architect of his age. His early influence by the Arts and Crafts movement can be seen in the Lutyens bench.
Benches have become a focus for remembering those who have died. Bench engraving means that a fitting tribute can be added to the bench before it is placed in a suitable location, often somewhere much-loved by the person being honoured.
A beautiful wooden garden bench is a clear indication of style and good taste, yet is affordable and practical.
Some people opt for powder-coated steel or aluminium garden furniture. These items certainly look more attractive than plastic, but again, may not be especially strong. Cast iron is very hard-wearing, but does require some maintenance to keep it looking its best. Remember that cast iron items are also extremely heavy, so you won’t want to move them around too much once they are in position.
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