Neat Gardens

It's becoming more and more common to see specially produced pool and patio furniture in the stores, and the choice is quite expansive!  At one time there wasn't a whole lot to choose from, and most of what there was consisted of some form of plastic seating with matching table and a parasol if you were really well off.  Nowadays there's an abundance of items to choose from - and even the budget ranges are quite stylish.

Before going to buy your pool and patio furniture, take a look at the area you are going to put the furniture in.  How much space is there?  How much of that space do you want to take off for the furniture - remember once you commit it for furniture, it's not going to be likely that you'll move the furniture to allow for a game of football in the yard.  What kind of furniture are you looking for?  Are you looking for a couple of loungers to put beside the pool, or are you looking for a table and chairs that all the family can use for suppers outside?  How many people will be using the chairs?  Do you want upright chairs or recliners?  Do you have space for a romantic swing sofa?

Once you have in mind what it is you really need, you're safe to go shopping.  Without a clear vision in mind it's possible you'll buy anything that you think looks great without thinking about whether or not it can actually fit into the space you have available!  The stores have a great display and quite often they set these out in little groupings so you get some idea of how they will look in your own garden. Find the items that fit your shopping list and concentrate on these.  Which ones are going to stand up to the wear and tear of little children?  Which ones are unfazed by rainy weather?  Which ones will be best beside a pool and won't be damaged by getting pool water splashed on them (it happens even with the best of intentions to the contrary!)?

Once you've decided on a style for the pool and patio furniture, think about soft furnishings you want to go with them.  Do you want some simple seat pads for the dining chairs, or something more luxurious for the loungers?  Which fabrics will need the least amount of care to keep looking nice?  Do you need a parasol?  Pick one in the same fabric, and whilst you're there, a matching tablecloth won't add that much extra to the bill!

Having made your purchases and brought them home, if you'd done your measurements right and bought the size of furniture that your calculations thought best, your garden should now be tastefully furnished without the furniture taking over and leaving no room to play.  Oh, and if budget is an issue, try buying your pool and patio at the end of the season - it'll be too late for this year but a real bargain for when next season comes around!