Now that you have your yard planted, it’s time to think about how to enjoy it. Your furniture is an extension of your landscape design that ties together all the parts of your theme. It makes sense to make the same thoughtful decisions for the pieces you will add as you did with the plants and other elements that created its tranquil atmosphere.
Begin with a Purpose
Start with thinking about how you use your backyard to steer you in the direction of the perfect choices. Perhaps you want to use your space for an outdoor living room or simply as a place to curl up with a good book. Consider the primary things you want out of it and when you will use the yard. Options include:
- Outdoor kitchen with grill and food preparation table
- Dining area with table, chairs, and lighting
- Private garden room with a comfy chair and ottoman
The amount of space will be the limiting factor. A cluttered group of furniture defeats the purpose of creating a relaxing place. Instead, opt for pieces that complement the design and encourage lingering. Comfort is another consideration. You do want the conversations to go for a long time, don’t you?
Think of your outdoor space as another room or extension of your house. Consider the things that make a room comfortable and bring those same elements to your outdoor room with furniture. With all the time you’ve spent on the design, now is the time to get the real value out of your landscaping. The main difference, of course, is the weather factor.
Maintenance and Care
It’s essential to think about your outdoor furniture when you’re not using it to entertain. Look for pieces that are easy to clean and maintain. You might also want to consider placing your furniture in areas of hardscaping. These are flat places such as patios where you can lay bricks or tile down so that your furniture doesn’t sit directly on the ground.
Hardscapes also included raised elements like walls that you can use to screen your outdoor furniture to create a more intimate atmosphere. You can create a secret garden room with the addition of trellis or tall shrubs as a privacy screen. They can also shield your furniture from the elements so that they’ll last longer.
Outdoor Furniture Options
Minnesota winters will put your outdoor furniture to the test. That’s why it makes sense to invest in pieces that can handle the elements, especially if you’re going to leave them outside year-round. Stone furniture, for example, makes an excellent choice because it fits with the outdoor theme of a backyard space and is durable in all weather conditions.
Remember the purpose of your furniture is so that you can get the most out of your backyard during the short Minnesota summers. Instead of just looking at it, you can use the space as another room of your home with the addition of the right elements.
Other Design Elements
You should also consider the other pieces that will complement your outdoor furniture. A stone fireplace, for example, can do double-duty as a cooking area and a feature for your garden. Or how about a fire table for an attractive conversation piece? Installing a fire pit will allow you to use your backyard well into the fall to get the most out of your space.
Your backyard utopia wouldn’t be complete without outdoor lighting. You can use it to add a gentle glow to your yard so that you can create an inviting ambiance. Think of the romance of a string of lights over your dining area with some candles in hurricane glasses on the table. It’ll also ramp up the curb appeal of your home. Your backyard will be the envy of your neighbors.
Comfortable and durable outdoor furniture is a worthy investment for creating the ideal space in your backyard. It will allow you to enjoy your backyard and the beauty of your landscape design long into the season. And the extra time spent with family and friends is priceless.