Spring is in full swing, and for South Africans, that means spending more time entertaining outdoors. Who doesn’t love a braai or sundowners out on the patio? Spring means we get to enjoy longer days, shorter nights, and warmer weather. It also means the sweltering summer months are just around the corner. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor furniture in eager anticipation of all the entertaining you’ll be doing, now is the perfect opportunity. Here are our 3 tips for choosing outdoor furniture.
- Choice of Material.
Metal is prone to rust, plastic fades and can look cheap, but wood is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture as it is both aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly. Some wood choices are better than others when it comes to durability and exposure to the elements. We recommend a high-quality hardwood such as Plantation Teak or Japanese Cedar from our Amanzi Conscious Collection, Blackwood, or Ash. Homewood outdoor furniture is made to weather well and comes with a 1 –5 year guarantee, depending on the wood chosen. However, we do not recommend that any wooden furniture is exposed to the harsh elements on a permanent basis. If it is, we suggest maintaining it (as per our maintenance manual) more regularly, or keeping your furniture on the patio and undercover when not in use. Fitted covers are not recommended for wooden outdoor furniture as they increase heat and humidity which, in turn, causes delamination of the joints and promotes the growth of fungus and mould.
- Type of Entertainment Area
What do you envision for your ideal entertainment area outdoors? Is it a comfortable and relaxing space where you and your guests can huddle around a fire pit? If so, our Imbiza Occasional Chairs would make a lovely, laid-back feature. Pair these with our Imbiza Couches on your patio to finish off the look. This is Homewood founder and owner, Ian Perry’s, personal favourite and a furniture set he has on his patio at his home.
Perhaps you prefer to sip a cocktail from a sun lounger at the poolside with friends and family, or lie back with a night cap and gaze at the stars? If so, unwind in luxurious comfort on one of our custom-designed loungers. Available in various styles including slatted or weaved, and contoured to the curves of your body for extra comfort, Homewood Loungers allow you and your guests to relax in style.
- Storage
You might want to consider selecting furniture that has a dual function as a storage facility. A coffee table that opens as a chest or has a hollow compartment, for example, would be an excellent idea and help keep your patio neat and tidy. We specialise in custom-made furniture. No matter what your specifications, we will be able to advise you on the correct style and type of wood to create patio storage for your unique space. Featured below is a custom, made-to-order outdoor storage bench we recently completed for a client who wanted a place to store outdoor cushions, throws, board games, and braai equipment. The compact design of this bench maximises storage potential and makes outdoor entertaining a breeze.
Nothing opens up entertaining spaces and creates warmth and charm quite like a collection of handcrafted, artisanal outdoor furniture pieces. Whatever your outdoor entertainment needs, Homewood’s diverse array of stylish and practical wooden furniture is bound to bring you inspiration.
Which piece of Homewood furniture would you love to have in your outdoor entertaining space? Let us know in the comments section below. We hope you enjoyed our 3 tips for choosing outdoor furniture!
