Exclusive furniture

Photo by Wicker Paradise

Garden furniture can have a variety of shapes and diverse styling. They can be used differently and have different qualities - both utilitarian and aesthetic. This topic will consider the furniture which is characterized by not only the exceptional comfort, but also aesthetics and careful finishes.

Rattan furniture - a touch of the exotic feeling for your comfort.

The first group of exclusive garden furniture can include furniture made from natural rattan. Rattan is a plant possessing specific properties that affect its popularity in the production of furniture. First-class rattan is imported to us from India or Ceylon, where the thin and flexible stems, are handmade and thus turned into weaving chairs, baskets, Matts etc.

 The undeniable advantages of rattan garden furniture should be their aesthetic looks, therefore they will incorporate perfectly into the landscape of our garden, giving it the charm and raising its prestige. Another plus is their strength, despite low weight. Rattan fits perfectly well with other materials. Designers often combine it with wood, metal or glass. Because it is a material that is suitable for dyeing, we can choose furniture that accurately fits our colour preferences. Furniture made of natural rattan are mostly covered with waterproof varnish - so they are not only clean and comfortable, but they retain their freshness and are easy to keep clean.

There exotic wood furniture is gradually growing in popularity in the UK. This phenomenon is justified because of the excellent properties, which are characterized by exotic species of wood. Exclusive furniture is very often made of wood aptly named ‘teak’. These unique trees occur naturally only in southern and south - East Asia, where they form a vast monsoon forests. Their habitat is mainly the areas located at altitudes exceeding 900 meters.
Find more garden furniture here: http://designsondemand.co.uk/

Garden furniture, wooden, plastic or other materials? Which to choose, and how to maintain?

Photo by Wicker Paradise

The nicest looking furniture is the one made of natural materials, preferably wood or wicker. They effectively present themselves in large gardens and terraces. For a small garden, you should pick the furniture which will be as light as possible, and the one that may be easily folded or manouvered, not only in the garden but also during the transportation from the store. A great idea could simply compose of a table and a simple bench.

The well preserved garden furniture will be beautiful for many years. The easiest ones to maintain are the pieces made of plastic, metal and techno-rattan. Just regularly clean them with water and washing-up liquid, not much is required. Furniture of other materials should be protected from rain and frost with special chemicals.

Less durable man made materials

The most common man made furniture is the one made out of plastic. They are available in many colours, they are certainly very light and the cheapest among the available garden furniture. Plastic furniture is also resistant to rain and does not require any complicated treatments - just wipe them with a damp cloth, and the problem will be solved! Unfortunately they have some disadvantages. They are often of poor quality – eventually the colour fades when exposed in the sun for too long, in addition they are susceptible to mechanical damage and are not counted as the most elegant furniture.

A dignified furniture of wood

Another suggestion for the garden furniture, is furniture made of wood. They have different forms, ranging from simple, elegant and traditional - made of logs. They can be made from domestic wood such as oak, beech, pine or perhaps exotic wood. They are much more durable than plastic and although they are quite expensive (4 folding chairs and a table made of exotic wood can be bought at the market for about £190) they can serve us for years, just maintain them properly, and they will sustain their beautiful nature for a lifetime. This maintenance should be usually and preferably performed before and at the end of the season. In order to do this we could use many different products, ranging from various varnishes or oils. The only disadvantage is the weight of the furniture and the related problem of moving it about.

Wicker and rattan furniture in the garden

Another suggestion for the garden furniture are the pieces made out of wicker or rattan. They are light and are very popular. Suitable for most gardens, although they present themselves the best on terraces, when surrounded by flowers. Just like wooden furniture, rattan furniture should be protected from rain, harsh sun, and in winter should be kept inside an interior. If properly maintained, they can serve us for years. Another variation of this furniture are pieces made out of techno-rattan – meaning a plastic imitation of rattan, though this material is certainly more durable and without a doubt, it can be left out in the rain or sun.

In order to clean wicker furniture, you certainly cannot use soap - it would otherwise turn the furniture into a grey and dull colour over time. You can paint them with clear or coloured varnish that will protect them from moisture. The wicker covered with spirit stains also presents itself beautifully. Before we do so, however, be sure to degrease the furniture with spirit solvents.

In terms of rattan garden furniture you need to vacuum it at least once a week and wipe with a damp cloth –in order to prevent the dust layer formation. We can also wash them with a cloth or a soft brush moistened with water. To prevent drying and cracking of the wicker and rattan furniture, simply gently rub them with vegetable oil or sunflower from time to time, thus after polishing them with a clean cloth. First, however, you should warm up the oil slightly in order for it to be used more easily.