When the weather is warm and the sun is shining, spending time outdoors with family can be incredibly rewarding. Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space for your family to enjoy can start with the right garden and patio furniture. This guide will explore key tips on choosing family-friendly garden furniture, helping you to select pieces that are not only stylish and comfortable but are also safe and practical for all ages.
Understanding Your Needs
To find the right family friendly furniture for your garden, it’s important to first consider what you need from it. By understanding your family’s needs first, you can make sure that your outdoor furniture will effectively meet them.
Quantity of Seats Needed
The first thing you need to determine is the number of seats you will need for your space. In small families, often only three or four seats are needed at one time, while large families will need far more to accommodate all family members properly.
Suitability for Different Ages
Age can significantly impact which furniture is suitable for a family. Small children, for example, are likely to find adult-sized furniture difficult to climb up on. Child-sized furniture is therefore often more suited to them, or even low furniture that is easy to access.
Safety Requirements
For households with young children and pets, it’s important to avoid furniture that can be easily broken and potentially harmful to reduce the risk of accidents. Sharp edges and splinters can also cause injuries, so furniture should be checked regularly. Similarly, furniture that is not properly anchored can tip over and cause accidents.
Demand for Versatility
For some households, limited outdoor space requires them to have furniture that has multiple functions. Consider carefully the amount of space you have available, and whether the furniture you want to select can be easily moved or adjusted to become useful in another way.
Choices of Material
When selecting garden furniture that the whole family can enjoy, the materials from which the furniture is constructed are an extremely important factor to consider. Each material has its unique benefits and drawbacks in terms of durability, maintenance requirements, comfort, and overall aesthetic appeal. The choice of material can significantly impact the furniture’s longevity, safety, and how well it integrates with your garden’s overall design.
Wood
Wood is a popular choice for family-friendly garden furniture due to its natural look and versatility. It is a strong and secure material, making it able to withstand regular use by all family members. Additionally, wood can be easily stained or painted to match any garden design, ensuring that it seamlessly integrates into your outdoor space.
Metal
Metal can make for robust and statement garden furniture. However, metal surfaces can get incredibly hot to the touch in direct sunlight, which can make them highly unpleasant to sit on directly. As such, metal furniture is often best covered with fabric coverings for the hotter periods of the year. It’s important to note that some metals are also prone to rusting, which can alter the appearance of your furniture significantly, so these may need to be covered.
Plastic
Plastic can be a robust material that is great for family-friendly garden furniture. Furniture made of plastic typically has the benefit of being easy to clean, with a simple spray of a simple cleaner often effective. Plastic can also be used to resemble other materials, including wicker and wood, and is often cheaper.
Fabrics
While the frames of furniture are not typically made from fabric, the coverings and cushions likely will be. Fabrics come in various types and several sizes, making it easy to find an option that fits your style. It’s important to be aware, however, that certain fabrics can often become stained as a result of spills, or sunbleached if left out in the sun consistently.
Furniture Types
Various types of outdoor furniture can be placed in the garden to make it more functional and family-friendly. These include seating arrangements, dining sets, and play-friendly furniture, as well as storage solutions to help keep everything tidy. Each of these furniture types offers unique benefits and can cater to different family needs and preferences.
Seating
From benches to chairs, seating is an important part of a functional garden. Away from the floor, seating provides a comfortable place for a family to spend their time. Seating comes in various forms, from upright chairs to laid-back lounge chairs, each designed for different purposes.
Dining Sets
Perfect for summer barbecues, dining sets are the ideal al fresco dining solution. Typically a large table paired with matching chairs, dining sets allow households to eat together outdoors in a structured manner. These furniture sets come in various shapes and sizes, allowing both small and large families to find an option that works for them. Many even have their own shades included as part of their design, meaning you needn’t worry about spending too much time in direct sunlight.
Play-Friendly Furniture
Garden furniture is more than just seating. Furniture for the garden can also include play structures, such as slides, swings and playhouses. These features are generally designed specifically for play and can provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages. It is important to consider the size and layout of your garden when choosing play equipment, and to make sure that it is safe and securely installed.
Shading
To protect ourselves from the dangers of extended direct sunlight exposure, it’s important to remember to spend time in the shade, too. To provide areas of shade in a garden, many families choose to purchase shading furniture. From parasols to gazebos, these can be fitted over seating areas to allow the household to enjoy time outdoors, without risking sun damage to their skin.
Safety and Maintenance
After investing in garden furniture for your family, it’s important to make sure it lasts. Similarly, it’s important to ensure your furniture remains safe for your entire family to enjoy. Below, you can learn the safety and maintenance information you need to know before purchasing garden furniture.
Avoiding Hazards
When selecting and using garden furniture, prioritise safety to minimise potential hazards. Avoiding lightweight materials that can be easily knocked over is a great way forward, as this can minimise the risk of furniture falling on your family members. You should also regularly inspect furniture for sharp edges, splinters, or loose parts, and sand down rough areas and tighten bolts as needed. Repairing or replacing damaged items promptly also reduces the risk of accidents.
Easy Cleaning
While keeping up with household tasks and looking after your children, it’s unlikely that you will want to spend a lot of time looking after your garden furniture. There are various types of furniture that can be easily cleaned, especially solutions with smooth surfaces. Try plastic, glass and ceramics, in particular, but remember that easily broken materials may increase the chance of accidents and injury to your family members.
Weatherproofing and Storage
It’s important to consider what your garden furniture will need in terms of weatherproofing and storage. Protection, like lounge chair covers, for example, can be invaluable. Certain solutions also require their fabric cushions to be removed and stored in a safe, dry space, for example. Wooden furniture may need to be oiled or stained periodically to protect it from the elements. Similarly, metal furniture may require rust-proofing to keep it looking its best.
Garden Furniture at Woburn Sands Garden Centre
Looking for the perfect furniture for your outdoor space? At Woburn Sands Garden Centre, we have a wide range of outdoor living products that can help you get the most out of your garden. From lounge and sofa sets to gazebos and parasols, our garden centre products are designed to suit a wide range of gardens and families. We even offer protective equipment to help your new furniture last, including a range of furniture covers in different shapes and sizes.
Ready to find your dream outdoor furniture? Please visit our website to discover more about us and how to visit us at Woburn Sands Garden Centre, or get in touch directly for any advice or support.
