Choosing the right materials for your outdoor furniture is especially important, since the furniture will be exposed to extreme weather including the harmful rays of the sun. Most outdoor furniture will come with cushions and pillows, since metal and wood wouldn’t be the most comfortable to curl up on to enjoy the warm weather. Some items – like iron or wicker – are tough enough to stand up to being outside but other materials, like the ones cushions are made of, are much more sensitive to the weather and might show damage and wear much more quickly than the structure of the furniture does. Here’s how to choose the right materials to make sure your outdoor furniture will look as great as they day you bought it.
Can you wash them?
Pillows that are able to withstand being machine washed are more than likely going to stand up to multiple seasons of use. When you purchase any pillows, check the tags for washing instructions. If a pillow is delicate, and indicates to only wash by hand, then it’s likely not going to survive being outside for very long and it might be best indoors.
Is there a slipcover?
If the pillow comes with a slip cover that can be separated from the stuffing of the pillow, it’s a great sign. This means it’s designed to work with life – kids, pets, spills and so on – and isn’t a pillow you need to worry about being ruined.
What kind of fabric is the pillow made of?
Fabrics made to be outdoors are much different than traditional fabrics. They are made to resist the damaging rays of the sun, which means they won’t fade in colour as easily as other fabrics will. They are also, usually, water resistant so they won’t be damaged should they be outside when it rains. Since the fabrics these pillows are made of is much stronger than indoor fabrics, it means they will continue to look brand new without showing much wear over multiple years.
Are there extras – like tassels – on the pillow?
The more frills the pillows have the less likely it will be to stand up to the weather. If it’s delicate, then it will likely cause you more worry thinking about how to preserve the pillow than to simply use it as it’s meant to be used. If you are looking for cushions that will stand up to your family using them, having friends over for BBQ parties and enjoying the beautiful weather outside then make sure you buy cushions that don’t have these extra, delicate features.
No matter what style your outdoor furniture is, you can find cushions or pillows to match you lifestyle and décor. You don’t have to spend a huge amount of money on your cushions, but take the time to really try them out before you buy them. Checking the stitching and what the feel of the fabric is. You should also ask the store, or manufacturer if possible, if the fabric is water resistant and will withstand being outside for most of the summer.
