Key Factors To Consider When Purchasing Quality Outdoor Furniture

Are you looking for tips for buying outdoor furniture? Here's our outdoor furniture buying guide on how to find and purchase quality outdoor lounge furniture without overspending. From identifying key features to understanding the importance of materials and budgeting, we cover everything you need to make an informed decision. Whether you're decking out a sunny deck or a cosy patio, follow our expert advice below. 

Set a budget and research prices 

Setting a budget is a crucial first step in our outdoor furniture buying guide, as it's easy to get carried away by stunning designs and spend more than intended. Before you start shopping, it's important to know what you can realistically afford and consider the long-term benefits of investing in high-quality pieces that might save you money on replacements over time.

There are also benefits in investing in a full set or collection of products up front. You can ensure a cohesive look and there is often a cost saving for buying this way. On the other hand, buying individual outdoor chairs allows for a more customised setup but may require more effort to coordinate pieces.

Additionally, comparing prices and knowing the general cost of various types of furniture is essential. For example, simple outdoor dining sets made from materials like aluminium or synthetic wicker are generally more affordable, while luxury options made from teak or ceramic are pricier. The size of the set also affects the price, with larger tables and more chairs increasing the overall cost.

Prioritise high-quality materials in outdoor furniture

When shopping for quality outdoor furniture, you must know which features you should prioritise to ensure you get the best value and durability for your money. One of our best tips for buying outdoor furniture is to consider the materials that make up your outdoor furniture pieces. 

Opting for low-quality materials might seem like a cost-saving measure initially, but it can lead to several issues. Cheap materials often deteriorate faster under environmental stresses like UV rays, rain and fluctuating temperatures in Australia. This can result in furniture that fades, cracks or warps, requiring frequent replacements, ultimately costing more money and time.

Additionally, low-quality outdoor furniture often lacks the strength and stability of better-made items, which can be a safety hazard, especially in windy conditions or when bearing weight. There's also the aesthetic aspect to consider — poorly made furniture can degrade the overall look of your outdoor space, making it appear unkempt or neglected.

Choose no-rust frames

One of the factors to consider when buying outdoor lounge furniture is the frame material, especially regarding its resistance to rust. Aluminium is a superior choice over steel for several reasons:

• Aluminium does not rust, making it ideal for humid or rainy climates. Its corrosion-resistant properties ensure longevity and less maintenance.

• Unlike heavier metals, aluminium is lightweight and easier to move around. This makes rearranging your outdoor space convenient and flexible.

• While aluminium can be more expensive than some other materials upfront, its durability makes it a cost-effective choice in the long run because it won’t need to be replaced as often as other less durable materials.

Opt for solution-dyed fabrics like Sunbrella

The fabric on your outdoor furniture plays a crucial role in its longevity. Outdoor furniture made with solution-dyed fabrics, such as Sunbrella fabric on our lounge furniture at Outdoor Elegance, is ideal for outdoor use. Solution-dyed fabrics are renowned for their ability to hold colour without fading, even when exposed to sunlight and harsh weather conditions. These fabrics are treated to resist stains and mildew, making them easier to clean and maintain.

Buy for the environment

One of the biggest factors to look out for is the exposure your furniture will get. The Australian sun can have an extreme impact on furniture, as can rain and the salty conditions of a coastal area. 

While typically, all outdoor furniture can withstand outdoor exposure, there are degrees to how it will perform. A solution dyed fabric will perform great in the sun, so if you're getting full exposure, look for that. After rope furniture? Just like the fabrics, be careful to select solution dyed rope if you're going to receive plenty of UV exposure.

Teak performs great in the outdoors but can fade, so unless you are after a silvery grey finish, it will require some maintenance.

And when it comes to coastal locations, looking for non-rust easy-clean options is essential. For dining, we highly recommend an Aluminium frame ceramic top table as the best performing, easiest to maintain option.

Seek furniture with substance

While it might be tempting to go for lighter, cheaper pieces, investing in outdoor furniture that has a bit of weight to it can be beneficial. Heavier furniture tends to be more stable, which is crucial in windy conditions or uneven outdoor surfaces. Generally, heavier furniture is more durable and constructed with stronger materials, which also last longer. This includes pieces from our Aspen collection, our aluminium frame lounges that are considerably heavier than many on the market simply because of the reinforced framing and quality of the foam in the cushions. Outdoor Elegance’s huge range of Ceramic Outdoor settings are great quality dining options, are exceptionally durable and designed to withstand various weather conditions.

Additionally, our lava stone tables, handcrafted in Deruta, Italy, by the ceramic masters at Domiziani, are hand-painted and double-baked, producing a tabletop that can withstand temperatures ranging from -50 to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. They also offer remarkable resistance to UV rays, salt spray, acid and stains, making them as suitable indoors as they are out.

Shop our range of affordable and durable outdoor furniture at Outdoor Elegance

By following our outdoor furniture buying guide, we hope you now feel more confident and informed about choosing the right pieces to enhance your outdoor living spaces. Remember, the key to a satisfying furniture purchase is balancing style, durability and budget. 

For a fantastic selection of high-quality outdoor and garden furniture that ticks all these boxes, head over to Outdoor Elegance today. With our flexible Buy Now, Pay Later options, you can enjoy your new outdoor setting now and pay later. If you have any questions about our products, contact our team — we’ll be happy to help.