Bedroom Design: Choosing the Right Furnishings

Posted on: 11 March 2015

Choosing outdoor furniture should be dependent upon your climate. If you live by the beach or seashore, your outdoor furniture must meet certain criteria to withstand fading from the sun and damage from moisture. As you shop for your outdoor beach house furniture at places like Modern Home 2 Go, there are more aspects to consider than merely a nautical theme.

The Most Suitable Materials for Outdoor Beach Furniture

When selecting your outdoor chairs, tables and accessories, a major consideration should be the materials you choose. Excellent choices for outdoor furniture in a beach setting are teak wood and resin wicker, although other fine choices exist as well. Here are a few considerations along with the major advantages:

• Teak Wood

  If you have your heart set on wood, choose natural teak. Teak wood is a preferred material for any outdoor setting. Why is that? It has a natural rustic appearance, but the advantages are more than merely aesthetic.  Teak is a very durable wood. It holds up well to most outdoor elements, including sun damage, wind, sand and rain. Because teak wood is imbued with natural oils and rubber-like substances, it will be extremely water repellent, an important feature if you live by the beach. Teak is also resilient against decay and insect damage. 

  It's best to choose teak outdoor furniture pre-treated with a sealant of some sort, rather than unfinished. This will help ensure extra protection against the outdoor elements and keep the color from changing. If you purchase your teak without sealant, you may notice a slight silver hue in the teak wood over time. This is a natural occurrence due to outdoor exposure and not indicative of any defect. 

  Teak is fairly easy to maintain. You may clean your outdoor teak furniture periodically with ordinary household cleaner. Dilute the solution in water rather than using it full-strength. 

• Resin Wicker Hand-woven resin wicker is another excellent choice for your outdoor beach house furniture. It has the same visual appeal as natural wicker, but the material used is actually synthetic, so it upholds well under beach environments. Unlike natural rattan or bamboo wicker, your resin wicker will be constructed of a tough high-grade plastic material. Polyethylene is often the material used. In most cases, the resin wicker tables and chairs will be constructed with an all-aluminum frame and legs. Look for weather-resistant powder coating over the aluminum. This will provide protection from dust, sand and moisture, and help resist rust and peeling. 

• Wrought Iron

  This material is a good choice for your outdoor beach house furniture simply due to its strength and durability. Beach house property is often subject to high winds, especially during storms. With wrought iron tables and chairs, you won't have to worry about wind damage, or your pieces getting blown over. To offer resistance against corrosion, be sure the frame and legs are powder coated.

• Hand-Laid Mosaic Tiled Materials

  Tiles made from natural slate, terra-cotta or marble are colorful, durable and beautiful for your outdoor beach dining set. The tiles will most likely be sealed for protection against the elements. Look for steel or aluminum frames that are powder coated. Tiled outdoor furniture is relatively low maintenance. If the furniture has been sealed, you'll not need to apply additional coatings. Simply wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove sand or dirt.

• Water Repellent Canvas A water-repellent canvas material is a great choice for seating cushions. In addition to resisting moisture, this material will be durable for everyday use. Canvas cushions are resistant to fading from sun exposure as well.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, remember to keep your outdoor beach furniture covered when not in use. There are covers designed and sold specifically for this purpose. This will provide extra protection during inclement beach weather.