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Forty DOs for Outdoor Furniture
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
I have spring fever so bad that I can barely sit still. I'm so hyped up that I found scads of outdoor furniture pictures I loved - I could not stop browsing through all of the photos of gardens, patios, porches, etc. here on Houzz. By the time I was done, I had forty different points to make.
Lots of times we think there are rules when it comes to outdoor furniture - like we are limited to a picnic table or some glass-topped table with a hole in the middle for an umbrella and matchy-matchy chairs. This is not true at all. In fact, there is only one rule, and that is do not ever put upholstered LA-Z-Boy recliners with a keg side table on your front porch. This is what we call the frat house look. That is really the only DON'T I can think of when it comes to outdoor furniture. Now let's look some of the DOs, designed to open your mind to the endless possibilities of your outdoor rooms. There are a gratuitous amount here, because there are so many choice out there today.
Lots of times we think there are rules when it comes to outdoor furniture - like we are limited to a picnic table or some glass-topped table with a hole in the middle for an umbrella and matchy-matchy chairs. This is not true at all. In fact, there is only one rule, and that is do not ever put upholstered LA-Z-Boy recliners with a keg side table on your front porch. This is what we call the frat house look. That is really the only DON'T I can think of when it comes to outdoor furniture. Now let's look some of the DOs, designed to open your mind to the endless possibilities of your outdoor rooms. There are a gratuitous amount here, because there are so many choice out there today.
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| DO get cozy and stay awhile. Why not sink into pillows and even bring out your blanket on those days that are not quite warm enough. |
| DO have fun with bright colors in the garden. |
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Don't forget an umbrella when you need some shade. They come in a ton of cute patterns and colors these days.
| DO create areas for conversations, and provide a spot for plopping down drinks and/or your feet. |
| DO inhabit your garden. Stick your furniture right out in the middle of everything |
| DO consider built in benches. These serve as an edge and as seats. |
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DO consider outdoor space as more rooms in your home. This setup could practically exist in an indoor living room.
| DO keep the grillmaster company. |
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DO consider furnishings that also serve as sculpture.
| DO provide a place to gather for meals. |
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DO consider plushing things up. With all of the Sunbrella weather-resistant fabrics out there these days, there's no excuse not to.
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| DO hang a porch swing whenever possible. Also, check out outdoor rugs for covered spaces like these. |
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| DO enjoy your outdoor fireplace by providing great seating nearby. |
| DO look to French-inspired furniture for your rose arbor. |
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DO take a look at bistro sets. Their shapes always work in a garden. Think Monet at Giverny.
| DO keep a trunk of throw pillows nearby for outdoor use. |
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DO consider an old-school bench for a focal point in the garden.
| DO provide some fun for the kids (and adults). |
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DO consider some lightweight, portable furniture like butterfly chairs, if you need to move things indoors and outdoors for weather-related reasons.
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| DO remember that a picnic table is always a great spot to gather, and never goes out of style. |
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DO learn the joy of lazing in an outdoor hammock!
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| DO plan your seating with your landscape architect. This concrete is able to serve as a retaining wall, a conversation pit edge, and a great place to seat when a few cushions are thrown on it. |
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by Liz Stewart
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| DO check out Adirondack chairs. They are one of my favorite classic outdoor styles. |
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by Ish and Chi
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DO consider colors that compliment natural elements, like this sage green.
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| DO provide a variety of seating. There are great places to work, eat, and lounge on this patio. |
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DO consider a sideboard that can hold large dishes and transform into a bar when you are dining al fresco.
DO be brave enough to go exotic. This space can transport you to Morocco.
by Beach Vintage
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DO buy a space heater if you want to enjoy your outdoor space year-round.
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DO tell me where this AMAZING table came from!
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DO dress things up just like you are indoors when you are having people over.
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by huntley & co
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DO be a creative re-purposer. This antique makes a charming potting bench.
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DO get fancy and go all curlicue if that's your thing!
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DO create a cool lounge outside if you want to.
DO make sure your furniture helps you enjoy the view.
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by Cypress Moon
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| DO come over and install one of these on my porch. This looks SO comfortable! |
DO hit IKEA for some fun furniture that goes great with modern architecture.
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by Axis Mundi
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| DO bring color to your patio via the furniture. |
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| It doesn't have to be through the upholstery - you can paint wooden furniture like this Chinoiserie bench yourself. |
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| DO get inspired by Made by Girl's eclectic patio. |
by nARCHITECTS
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Do realize that there are modern versions of the picnic table.
| Do know that it can be this simple. Have the deck builder do it while he's already at your house. |
Do get blocky and matchy-matchy if that's your bag.
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DO dress up your outdoor walls.
by deborah Sommers
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Ideabook updated on June 6, 2010.
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Mary Sherwood
Don't shoot me for guessing, but I don't believe the table "came" from somewhere, as much as was "envisioned". Take old metal banisters, or light wrought porch rails, or even fencing, frame, add some feet (say from old metal furniture), shape as needed, them either aquire or have made a topper from concrete form or stone. My other guess for the frame was a rare antique type of fireplace protector for "hearth-size" fireplaces. Note the design on the framework. It is near a geometric pic of fireplace with logs and flame. Might not be exactly what you see, but using those techniques, you could recreate the look in a personal style of your own. I would likely go for the blacker wrought iron look then use well oiled 2x6 rough lumber for the top. The wood look would make it more casual, less heavy, less expensive, and be more available than true "nibbled" stone.
I agree with dawnwinds the table you were commenting on is most likely envisioned. It seems similar to a type of table called 'le table de boucher' or a butcher's table. It is a style that generally incorporates a marble top (easy to kill off germs from the meat) with wrought iron bottom which is substantial enough to take the weight of the job. I wish I had one and this is an interesting idea to make one myself!
Thanks, Becky.
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