It’s that time of year when we start to see lots of images of beautiful outdoor spaces, complete with gorgeous garden furniture. If you have an outdoor space at home, it’s easy to get caught up in all the inspiration. However, with the threat of cold and wet weather coming soon, it’s worth thinking about whether your garden furniture is fit for purpose. Many people wait until the last minute before throwing out their old and grimy garden furniture – but why? Garden furniture can add a lot of value to your property and help you sell it quicker if you ever plan on moving. It also means that if you are renting your property, you should be able to recover the cost from your landlord as part of your tenancy agreement. Here are 15 reasons why you should not wait any longer to replace that old and tatty garden furniture!
Your furniture is more than 10 years old
Garden furniture comes in many different materials that vary in price, durability and aesthetics. For example, wicker has been the most popular garden furniture material for more than a decade, with rattan also growing in popularity. Both of these materials come with a fairly hefty price tag, with top quality pieces costing upwards of £500. As these materials are not very durable, it’s likely that your garden furniture is more than 10 years old, especially if you bought it when it was very popular. Polypropylene is another material that has been very popular for garden furniture for more than a decade. Although durable, it doesn’t look as appealing as wicker or rattan – so you may have decided to replace your furniture with a more aesthetically pleasing material.
You’ve bought replacements before
If you have been replacing your furniture every couple of years, it’s likely that the material is not very durable. If the quality of your furniture has declined over the years, there is a good chance that you have been buying cheap and nasty patio furniture. As well as being aesthetically and ergonomically unappealing, cheap garden furniture can be dangerous for your family. With cheaper materials, there is a greater chance that you will suffer an injury if you fall off the furniture. Garden furniture
The fabric is ripping or stained
If you see that your garden furniture is covered in stains and rips, it’s likely that the fabric is not very durable. Even if you are able to clean out the dirt and liquids, it’s unlikely that the fabric will be able to retain its shape and stay the same colour. Cheap and flimsy fabrics can also cause allergies and rashes, which is especially dangerous for children and the elderly.
The cushions aren’t UV-protected
If the cushions on your furniture have faded in colour or turn completely white, it’s likely that they are not UV-protected. A lot of garden furniture cushions are treated with a UV coating to prevent them from fading in the sun. This UV coating is not permanent, so it will wear off over time, especially if you leave the cushions outside. Ideally, you should replace the cushion covers every year or two – especially if you have kids or pets.
Your metal frames are rusty
If your metal frames are rusting, it’s likely that the paint has chipped off, leaving the metal exposed. Garden furniture frames are either made out of aluminium or steel. If they rust, you can simply clean them with a sandpaper or steel wool and re-paint them. If you see that the paint has chipped off, it’s a sign that the material is not very durable and you should probably replace your furniture.
The wood has rotted away
If you see that the wood of your furniture has completely rotted away, it’s a sign that the material is not very durable. Similar to the fabric, a quick clean doesn’t actually solve the problem – you need to replace the furniture piece altogether. If you are unsure about the quality of your furniture, try spraying it with water and seeing how quickly it dries. The quicker it dries, the more durable it is.
Your chairs have no support for your back or knees
If your chairs are uncomfortable and don’t provide any support for your back or knees, it’s likely that your garden furniture is not ergonomically designed. Most manufacturers have been focusing on aesthetics in recent years, with the result being that garden furniture is less ergonomic than ever before. If you have an old-fashioned, rattan sofa chair with no arm rests or back support, it’s probably time to replace it with something that is better designed for long periods of relaxation.
You can see straight through to the lawn beneath your rattan furniture
If the rattan weaving has worn away, leaving the frame visible, it’s a sign that the furniture is not very durable. That being said, you might be able to re-weave the frame yourself. If you’re not sure, you could buy a new rattan sofa and re-weave the old frame onto the new one.
Conclusion
As you can see from the above, there are many different signs that you need to replace your garden furniture. This can either be done by simply buying new pieces or re-weaving broken rattan furniture. In any case, it’s likely that you will need to take measurements, host some outdoor furniture shopping, and find a good deal. Keep in mind that your outdoor space should be just as aesthetically pleasing as your indoor spaces. If your garden furniture is old, broken and stained, it’s time to replace it – and it’s never too early to start thinking about it!
This article is provided by https://www.hanleysofcork.com/garden-furniture
