There is something so inviting about entertaining outdoors – open space, a fresh breeze and sunshine or even the light of the moon on your skin. Ensuring you have an outdoor entertainment area to be talked about seems like a must-have in this country!
For a large portion of the year us fortunate South Africans are blessed with temperate weather for outdoor entertaining in most parts of the country. If you’re from Durban, you will know all about the city’s year-round perpetual sunshine. As a Capetonian –spring, summer and autumn are nine times out of 10 beautiful seasons for outdoor entertaining (even in the wind!), while the North West, Gauteng and Eastern Cape have their fair share of stunning days throughout the spring and summer as well.
Creating and decorating an outdoor entertainment area is a cost effective way of adding value to your home (who needs walls anyway?). It will also be an area that will most likely be used three seasons out of four, and is generally quite low maintenance with the purchase of high quality outdoor furniture and accessories.
When it comes down to choosing outdoor furniture for your future or existing patio or veranda, from swinging chairs to laid-back loungers, high quality, hard-wearing and sturdy are key qualities to be considered. While “sturdy” and “hard-wearing” furniture may not sound particularly attractive or appealing, in today’s market, style has been inherently incorporated into many a piece that will add character (with value) to your entertainment area.
Some examples of materials to consider when purchasing outdoor furniture include:
Natural Wood – Make sure you know what type of wood you’re buying and how to take care of it to prevent splitting, cracking, rotting, or bug infestation.
Ensure: You look for denser types of wood, like teak or eucalyptus; they’re more durable and easier to maintain because they resist water naturally.
Wrought-Iron – A classic outdoor look that’s sturdy enough to stand its ground in windy weather, wrought-iron now comes in modern finishes and colours, as well as intricate scrollwork designs.
Ensure: Your wrought-iron is powder-coated, UV-resistant and has a warranty on the overall structure.
Aluminium – Much of the outdoor furniture available on today’s market is made of aluminium, and for good reason: it’s lightweight, doesn’t rust, is easy to maintain and is often paired with fabric covered cushions.
Ensure: Your aluminium furniture is powder-coated, UV-resistant, rust-proof and includes seamless welds.
Recycled Plastic and Polymer – Durable synthetics like marine-grade polymer and plastics are a great choice for tropical climates. Designed to imitate painted wood, furniture made with this material is relatively weighty, can be left out in the elements year-round, and barely requires painting or sealing.
Ensure: Your Polymer or recycled plastic includes UV-stabilising pigments to reduce colour fading.
Out-do yourself (and your neighbours) this year by designing an outdoor area that gives you space to escape. Remember though, that whatever you to choose to buy and use to decorate your space, must be able to weather exposure to the harsh South African sun, wind, rain and probably some roughhousing too – that is if your outdoor area is not completely covered or protected from the elements.
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