Pre-Summer Backyard Blitz: Week 2 – Outdoor Furniture Update
Transform your outdoor zone with these 10 tips on updating, rearranging and revitalising garden furniture
Even the hardest wearing outdoor furniture starts to look a bit worn around the edges after a few years in all kinds of weather. Of course, cost must come into play, but there are a variety of ways to update your outdoor furniture – from cheap and cheerful to a dramatic big blow-out. Whatever you choose to do, try to make this the best summer ever with rejuvenated outdoor furniture that lounge lizards will truly love!
2. Oil timber furniture
Timber furniture will benefit from oiling as much as timber decking. To see if it’s required, simply spread a few drops of water onto the timber. If the water beads, it’s fine. If the water soaks in, the furniture is ready for a re-oil. Use a stiff brush to remove any dirt, dust and cobwebs. Go over the timber lightly with sandpaper to remove any scratches and to create a nice, smooth surface. Clean the timber with mild detergent and water, or use a timber cleaning product, and wash off with a hose. Allow the timber to dry completely before re-oiling.
Timber furniture will benefit from oiling as much as timber decking. To see if it’s required, simply spread a few drops of water onto the timber. If the water beads, it’s fine. If the water soaks in, the furniture is ready for a re-oil. Use a stiff brush to remove any dirt, dust and cobwebs. Go over the timber lightly with sandpaper to remove any scratches and to create a nice, smooth surface. Clean the timber with mild detergent and water, or use a timber cleaning product, and wash off with a hose. Allow the timber to dry completely before re-oiling.
3. Revitalise outdoor fabric
These days, most outdoor fabric is waterproof and mould-resistant, but it will still need a good clean at the start of the summer season. Use a stiff brush to remove any dirt, animal droppings and dust. Hose the fabric off and then use mild detergent and warm water to give it a more thorough clean. Use a soft bristle brush for this step. Rinse again with a hose and leave to dry in the spring sunshine.
Outdoor furniture for a small garden
These days, most outdoor fabric is waterproof and mould-resistant, but it will still need a good clean at the start of the summer season. Use a stiff brush to remove any dirt, animal droppings and dust. Hose the fabric off and then use mild detergent and warm water to give it a more thorough clean. Use a soft bristle brush for this step. Rinse again with a hose and leave to dry in the spring sunshine.
Outdoor furniture for a small garden
4. Give tough materials a clean-up
Even though a lot of outdoor furniture is made of durable materials, such as synthetic wicker, metal and aluminium, it still needs a good clean every now and then. If these materials are painted or powder coated, it’s important to remove bird droppings quickly as the acid can eat away the paint. Using the garden hose, start with a good soaking, then wipe down with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Powder-coated furniture can also be cleaned using a cleaning product such as Windex and a micro-fibre cloth. When finished, give it another soaking with the hose and let it dry in a sunny corner of the garden.
Even though a lot of outdoor furniture is made of durable materials, such as synthetic wicker, metal and aluminium, it still needs a good clean every now and then. If these materials are painted or powder coated, it’s important to remove bird droppings quickly as the acid can eat away the paint. Using the garden hose, start with a good soaking, then wipe down with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Powder-coated furniture can also be cleaned using a cleaning product such as Windex and a micro-fibre cloth. When finished, give it another soaking with the hose and let it dry in a sunny corner of the garden.
5. Re-think your seating
Don’t get stuck in a rut with outdoor seating – there’s much more on offer than just wooden slat furniture! From a comfy chaise longue to spherical wicker seats and funky little side tables that double as stools, there are a thousand ways to update the outdoor zone. It’s also worthwhile to keep a few collapsible seats on hand. When the word gets out about your fabulous barbecue skills, it’s nice to be able to comfortably seat unexpected guests.
Dreamy garden seating nooks
Don’t get stuck in a rut with outdoor seating – there’s much more on offer than just wooden slat furniture! From a comfy chaise longue to spherical wicker seats and funky little side tables that double as stools, there are a thousand ways to update the outdoor zone. It’s also worthwhile to keep a few collapsible seats on hand. When the word gets out about your fabulous barbecue skills, it’s nice to be able to comfortably seat unexpected guests.
Dreamy garden seating nooks
6. Get the right shading
While there are many different ways to shade your family and friends – screens, pergolas, sails, awnings – it’s hard to beat the classic umbrella. If it has been folded away all winter, there’s a good chance it could have been affected by mould and mildew. Vinegar is your saviour in this situation. Fill a bucket with warm water and white vinegar and use a scrubbing brush to attack any black stains. When it looks like new again, give it a good hose down and let it dry in the sun.
Ways to take cover outdoors
While there are many different ways to shade your family and friends – screens, pergolas, sails, awnings – it’s hard to beat the classic umbrella. If it has been folded away all winter, there’s a good chance it could have been affected by mould and mildew. Vinegar is your saviour in this situation. Fill a bucket with warm water and white vinegar and use a scrubbing brush to attack any black stains. When it looks like new again, give it a good hose down and let it dry in the sun.
Ways to take cover outdoors
7. Consider barbecue options
The barbecue is the creator of the best meals of summer – but is yours in an acceptable condition? Give it a good inspection and if it’s beyond hope, it might be time to invest in a new one. Remember, it’s always better to buy a barbecue a little larger than you think you need!
If the old workhorse still has a few years of service, start the season right by giving it a thorough clean. Clean the cooking surfaces with soapy water and a wire brush. Clean the drip tray and replace the absorbable material. Check the gas lines, fittings and seals. Purchase two gas bottles, so that if you run out of gas halfway through a cook, you can just switch bottles.
How to host a barbecue party
The barbecue is the creator of the best meals of summer – but is yours in an acceptable condition? Give it a good inspection and if it’s beyond hope, it might be time to invest in a new one. Remember, it’s always better to buy a barbecue a little larger than you think you need!
If the old workhorse still has a few years of service, start the season right by giving it a thorough clean. Clean the cooking surfaces with soapy water and a wire brush. Clean the drip tray and replace the absorbable material. Check the gas lines, fittings and seals. Purchase two gas bottles, so that if you run out of gas halfway through a cook, you can just switch bottles.
How to host a barbecue party
8. Add vision and sound
Portable music players and bluetooth speakers make it a simple matter to set the musical mood anywhere in the house or garden. However, if you want to move your viewing enjoyment outside, then things get a little trickier. Water is the enemy of all televisions and computer devices, so it’s essential that any unit is protected from the elements. You also need to minimise glare so you can clearly see the action on the screen.
Outdoor cinema ideas
Portable music players and bluetooth speakers make it a simple matter to set the musical mood anywhere in the house or garden. However, if you want to move your viewing enjoyment outside, then things get a little trickier. Water is the enemy of all televisions and computer devices, so it’s essential that any unit is protected from the elements. You also need to minimise glare so you can clearly see the action on the screen.
Outdoor cinema ideas
9. Introduce decorative touches
Even the smallest backyard can do with a bit of personalisation. Let your inner creative genius off the leash and turn a boring corner into a sensational relaxation zone. Here, the addition of disparate items – plates, mirrors, bird cages, cushions and lanterns – have transformed the space into something really special. Wouldn’t you just love to grab a book and while away a few hours on that deck?
Even the smallest backyard can do with a bit of personalisation. Let your inner creative genius off the leash and turn a boring corner into a sensational relaxation zone. Here, the addition of disparate items – plates, mirrors, bird cages, cushions and lanterns – have transformed the space into something really special. Wouldn’t you just love to grab a book and while away a few hours on that deck?
10. Finish off the look with an outdoor rug
Made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene or polyester, an outdoor rug is so hard-wearing, it can be left permanently on the patio or deck. The trick is that you turn or lift it so the back can dry when it has rained. Easy to clean, the rug just needs to be hosed down, and stains can be removed with a soft sponge with a neutral detergent.
TELL US
How do you plan to update your outdoor furniture this spring? Let us know in the Comments.
<< PREVIOUS Pre-Summer Backyard Blitz: Week 1 – The Big Clean-up
Made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene or polyester, an outdoor rug is so hard-wearing, it can be left permanently on the patio or deck. The trick is that you turn or lift it so the back can dry when it has rained. Easy to clean, the rug just needs to be hosed down, and stains can be removed with a soft sponge with a neutral detergent.
TELL US
How do you plan to update your outdoor furniture this spring? Let us know in the Comments.
<< PREVIOUS Pre-Summer Backyard Blitz: Week 1 – The Big Clean-up
Before you start washing and scrubbing, take a moment to have a good look at your outdoor furniture. It might be time to replace any pieces that are worn, frayed or permanently stained. Revitalising the outdoor zone can be as simple as adding a few new cushions and outdoor homewares, or as dramatic as installing new chairs and a funky coffee table. Ensure there is enough lighting to eat and entertain without making anyone feel like they’re caught in a spotlight. Colourful plastic rugs are long wearing, easy to clean and add a pop of colour to the area.