From the very beginning, man has made the surrounding space his own, initially as a primordial need to find a location suited to his lifestyle , later as a symbol of his status on earth, trying to settle in a place to dominate, manage, becoming the creator of a new way of perceiving space .
Several centuries have passed from that archaic event to today, but the need for appropriation has changed the concept of “domination of a place”. Today it is more appropriate to say that man tries deeply to identify himself with the surrounding, and the place has become a means to be able to express his own identity.
Since the 21st century the concept of “linearity” has established itself in the desperate search for the simplest, softest, most essential form of architecture as well as furniture , ever more minimal , but always focused on the emotion that tries to spring to its observer. Outdoor spaces such as gardens, balconies and terraces are no exception.
From this point of view , the outdoor furniture is constituted as an extension of the internal one , as if to indicate a spatial liberation from the frenzy of everyday life. A piece of furniture, however, that seeks the same attention to detail and the availability of the most appropriate and refined materials that occurs for the interior. The open space merges with man and uses nature as an instrument of mediation between these two realities, to the point that it itself manages to become life and at the same time an essential piece of furniture on a par with garden furniture .
Garden furniture – Precious materials for beautiful and functional outdoor arrangements
When it comes to garden furniture it is essential to keep in mind that the starting concepts are aesthetic beauty in its uniformity but also, a concept not to be underestimated, the ” health ” of the materials chosen by the client or supplied by a manufacturing company. It is always necessary to consider that each piece of furniture must be placed in a context often exposed to external agents ( wind, rain, sun, salt, various resins ) which risk going to affect the aesthetics of our garden furniture but also the intrinsic structural capacity.
Garden gazebo
Originally from the Anglo-Saxon culture and, after having freed itself from the old archetypes, the garden gazebo is acquiring an important value in the external arrangements , acting as the main fulcrum of the garden. It acts as a place sheltered from the sun and goes well as a meeting space . Its considerable diffusion arises above all from the increasingly smaller dimensions in which it is produced and from the ease of assembly of the technical, reticular and self-supporting components.
There are fixed garden gazebos , with a very solid and rigid structure, often made of wood treated to be waterproof and very resistant to bad weather, with greater weight and stability given by the rigidity of the material itself.
Some even have a floor, to further increase their stability
Chairs, shading and swimming pools
Among the outdoor furnishings we find chairs, armchairs and deck chairs, elements with a simple shape, which enrich the garden and have a function of comfort. Originally produced in more modest materials such as plastic and wicker , materials extremely susceptible to bad weather, today they are produced with resistant materials (technical fabrics, PVC) capable of fulfilling their function while maintaining durability over time.
One of these materials is rattan, the name of a species of palm whose wood is used, intertwined, for the creation of garden furniture, such as chairs and sofas, being very resistant.
An example is this set of chairs and sofa with table for the garden
They are made in different colors and padding and with different combinations. Above all for deck chairs there are many interesting and practical solutions for assembly and movement, especially since Teak , the wood of a plant that takes the name of Tectona grandis, is also very resistant.
Other accessories that enrich the environment are certainly the vase holders , available in every shape, color and material, the hammocks , comfortable tools for rest, in synthetic fabric or cotton . Finally, awnings and outdoor rugs also contribute to the aesthetics of the garden.
It is also worth mentioning the fundamental importance of lighting , which if positioned in strategic points, can create a particularly suggestive atmosphere.
To create an even more particular and personal space, the secret is to combine the styles of garden furniture, taking into account the different materials and colors. The main goal must always be to combine aesthetics with functionality . To do this, it is important to reflect on the function of the individual elements.
The curtains and carpets that can be placed have the purpose of establishing the separation between external and internal space. Curtains can be positioned not only to enrich an environment, but also to screen from the sun and protect against horizontal actions such as wind or rain . The carpets are essential to ensure hygiene in the passageways between the various indoor-garden-pool environments.
Other elements of protection from sun and rain are garden umbrellas . There are various models depending on the use, particularly useful is the decentralized umbrella , an umbrella with the shaking part hanging from an arm that protrudes from the rod that supports it. In this way you can make better use of the space under it. Otherwise you can choose a common beach umbrella if you have a smaller space.
Hammocks are mainly used to create a rest area , but not only. Often the use of these accessories can fill what appears to us as an unused void, or enrich an empty wall. The same support can be provided by vases, shelves, or by Puf armchairs .
The combinations of tables and chairs elegantly dress an outdoor space and are used to set up dinners, aperitifs, or in any case social moments.
As already mentioned, the role of lighting is fundamental. In addition to the atmosphere it can create, they are very useful for creating light paths and therefore for facilitating entry and exit access to the home.
Obviously, let’s not forget that element that makes the garden irresistible in summer: the swimming pool . There are many models of different shapes, sizes and materials, so there really is something for all tastes but above all needs.
However, if you want to be original and be envied, you can opt for a hydromassage garden pool , at an affordable price and of reduced size, it easily adapts to both small gardens and terraces.
Garden furniture – The materials and their properties
Let’s go into specifics by talking about the materials that make up garden furniture. The first material worth mentioning is Teak . Teak is a precious wood, particularly resistant, originating from tropical woods that contains a particular resin capable of protecting it even from termites . It is so resistant that it is often used for the construction of ships thanks to another important ability it possesses: resistance to thermal excursion . By using a material of this type we can avoid the continuous maintenance required for example by a classic wood.
Another very ductile wood is Acacia wood , used for the construction of garden chairs and tables thanks to the simplicity of bending.
As for the seats (especially those exposed to the sun), the use of steel and other alloys is generally not recommended , given their high thermal transmittance . Other materials not recommended are plastic, which discolours and becomes extremely susceptible to breakage, strongly preferring it to PVC or technical fabric.
Pros and cons of the main woods used in garden furniture
Garden furniture – Tips for buying
When setting up the garden with furniture, it is always advisable to choose a constant color value to be maintained for each individual component. It’s not worth rushing to buy. It is always better to examine all the available solutions for a satisfactory and long-lasting intervention. If the area to be set up is completely exposed and uncovered to environmental agents, it is advisable to avoid susceptible materials, such as those specified above.
