Craigslist is full of deals on outdoor furniture. But what type is best for you? What is best for the area you plan to place it in? Before you search all Craigslist for furniture, our friends at buyfurnituretips.com have a few outdoor furniture buying tips for you before you make your next furniture purchase on Craigslist.
Cane / Wicker Furniture on Craigslist
Whether added to enhance the “green” feeling of a home or preexisting in a more traditional house, a conservatory is a wonderful way to enjoy nature throughout most of the year. It’s also an excellent spot for entertaining, summer meals, and enjoying warm summer evenings. Because of the many appealing reasons to use it often, it’s important to select conservatory furniture that will complement and enhance the atmosphere.
Cane furniture, commonly referred to as wicker, is the perfect accent for a conservatory for many reasons. First and foremost, uncolored cane furniture offers a lustrous, natural hue that enhances the beauty of a natural surrounding. Natural wicker is a favorite for outdoor seating areas, or for interior rooms that want to bring an element of nature indoors.
While hardwoods such as teak or oak may seem to overpower a natural area, cane furniture made from bamboo or rattan will offer an extremely earthy look that will increase the beauty of the conservatory rather than compete with it. Not only will it look as if it simply belongs, but the woven pattern also provides a light, airy look that will not weigh down a conservatory’s seating area.
The woven pattern of wicker will also allow it to blend in to its surroundings. Where solid counterparts may take up entire spaces and block out the view of everything behind it, wicker will allow glimpses of the scenes around it. Because of this, it allows the area to flow freely, without interruption and enhances the serene quality of a conservatory.
Traditional Style
Because cane furniture is a traditional style, and a conservatory is a traditional room, it’s important to not overlook the impact the two items will have on each other. A conservatory would not be well served by modern, metallic furniture; and, while traditional, wrought iron would look too heavy, clunky, and cold to properly stimulate the earthy qualities of a conservatory. Contemporary wicker, however, can offer just the right blend of traditional and modern while still allowing the natural surroundings to take center stage.
When purchasing cane furniture, it is extremely important to carefully select the material. Some modern wicker is made of high-grade plastic. This should generally be avoided for a natural setting such as a conservatory, as the imitation of bamboo or rattan can never live up to the original. Even extremely close matches will always be obviously artificial.
Natural cane furniture, while more expensive than artificial, is the perfect choice for conservatories. Its durability, quality, and natural beauty will enhance the organic beauty of the room for years to come. When paired with bright-colored cushions, it can become an exotic, comfortable seating area to enjoy year-round for any occasion from breakfast to a formal gathering.
Teak Furniture on Craigslist
Your perfect outdoor hideaway may be under a grove of trees, surrounded by rose bushes, or in the shade of a favorite fountain. These tranquil locales each possess an individual attraction that is unique to them. They provide you with a special area to relax, bring friends and enjoy family gatherings. Their importance shouldn’t be understated, and the furniture you place there should blend in and provide a warm, inviting space.
Teak, a warm honey-colored tropical wood, provides the perfect accent to outdoor gardens. Although it is a more expensive variety of hardwood, teak is incredibly durable and weather resistant. The amount of care it needs to maintain its lush, natural finish is a simple annual cleaning and treatment with a specialized teak protector. If left untreated, it will weather to a beautiful silver patina. When proper care is given, teak will not warp, rot, or splinter. Unlike many other types of hardwoods, teak does not require sanding or refinishing.
The resilient nature of teak garden furniture makes it an obvious choice for longevity in an outdoor setting. Where less expensive woods would rot or warp after several years, teak’s price is offset by its long-lasting nature. It is an excellent investment for your favorite outdoor space.
Teak durability
Not only is teak weather-resistant, it’s also capable of withstanding frequent, heavy use. You may use your garden furniture infrequently or on a daily basis. No matter what your usage level, teak can gracefully withstand the demands you place on it without cracking or breaking. It is an excellent choice for outdoor gardens where furniture abuse is a potential problem, such as with young children or a highly variable climate.
Teak garden furniture will blend into an open outdoor setting better than nearly any other type of wood furniture. If kept treated, the warm finish provides an inviting scene for the outdoor area. If left to its own devices, the silver patina will provide you with a traditional-looking garden set that evokes an old-fashioned scene.
Even though it is incredibly durable, teak should not be left exposed to the elements unnecessarily. The legs should be kept on dry ground or patio blocks, not directly in the dirt, as even the hardiest of woods will eventually rot when left in standing water. When it is not in use, it should be covered with a tarp or plastic sheet to prevent water accumulation on the furniture itself. Teak garden furniture should be stored indoors or in a covered garden shed during the months that are prone to wet or snowy weather.
Teak will blend in perfectly with nearly any outdoor garden. The initial investment in this durable outdoor furniture will provide a return over your lifetime, as it enhances and accents your favorite outdoor space.
Source: http://www.buyfurnituretips.com
