Outdoor furniture has become an essential item for making the time spent at home more fulfilling. While outdoor furniture elevates the quality of time spent in the garden, you may have concerns about its ability to withstand the elements, especially its water resistance against rain.
In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of the characteristics of outdoor furniture, whether it is safe to leave it out, and the materials used for waterproof outdoor furniture.
What is Popular Outdoor Furniture Today?
With the rise of the "home outdoor" trend utilizing gardens and balconies, outdoor furniture is gaining popularity. Does outdoor furniture have specific features or differences from indoor furniture? Here, we will explain the following two points in detail.
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Characteristics of outdoor furniture
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Differences from indoor furniture
Characteristics of Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture is furniture designed primarily for use outdoors. Therefore, it possesses the strength to withstand natural environments such as wind, rain, ultraviolet (UV) rays, and dust.
Furthermore, because outdoor furniture is often left outside for long periods, it usually features excellent durability and ease of maintenance, and is designed in styles and colors that blend well with the outdoor landscape.
A key characteristic of outdoor furniture is that, while focusing on seating comfort and tactile feel, great importance is placed on the quality of the materials and surface treatments used.
Differences from Indoor Furniture
The differences between indoor and outdoor furniture lie in their durability, materials used, and design. Outdoor furniture is designed to withstand harsh conditions such as wind, rain, UV rays, and humidity. For this reason, materials that are highly durable and easy to maintain are used.
On the other hand, indoor furniture primarily prioritizes comfort and aesthetics, and is not required to have significant weather resistance. Specifically, outdoor furniture often uses ceramics, aluminum, and weather-resistant wood, while indoor furniture mainly uses soft upholstery and delicate wood.
In this way, the major difference is that the materials and designs used are different, and each possesses properties suitable for its respective environment.
Should You Leave Outdoor Furniture Out? How Do People Generally Manage It?
Basically, outdoor furniture is designed so that it can be left outside. It has the strength to withstand wind, rain, and UV rays, and uses materials that dry quickly if they get wet.
However, caution is required during severe weather such as typhoons or heavy rain. In the event of a typhoon, if you do not securely fix the furniture to a fence or similar structure, it may be blown away and damaged.
Also, don't forget to check for any damage after severe weather. While outdoor furniture is designed to be left outside, be sure to keep these precautions and maintenance in mind.
Try Using Protective Covers for Outdoor Furniture
Although outdoor furniture is made of materials that can withstand wind and rain, it is not perfectly protected against dirt or flying debris caused by them. Therefore, for those worried about the furniture getting dirty or damaged due to the weather, we recommend using a protective cover.
A protective cover is, as the name implies, not only waterproof but also resistant to UV rays, protecting your outdoor furniture from various risks. If you want to use your favorite furniture for a long time, utilize a protective cover to shield it from wind, rain, flying debris, and UV rays.
Materials Used for Waterproof Outdoor Furniture
What kind of materials are used for waterproof outdoor furniture? Here, we explain the three main types of materials used in detail.
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Resin (plastic/artificial rattan)
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Natural wood (teak)
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Metal (aluminum/stainless steel)
Outdoor Furniture Material ①: Resin (Plastic/Artificial Rattan)
Resin has high water resistance and is frequently used for outdoor furniture. Plastic and artificial rattan are the most common materials. Plastic furniture is low-cost yet features excellent durability against rain and humidity.
If it gets dirty, it can be cleaned by washing with water, so it is low-maintenance. A characteristic feature is the wide variety of designs and colors available, making it easy to find one that suits your taste.
Artificial rattan is a material that mimics natural rattan, providing an upscale feel like an Asian resort. While natural rattan is vulnerable to rain, artificial rattan is highly durable and waterproof, while also being aesthetically pleasing, which is why it is often used in restaurants and hotels.
Outdoor Furniture Material ②: Natural Wood (Teak)
Natural wood outdoor furniture, especially teak, is an ideal material for outdoor use that offers excellent water resistance and durability while having a charm that harmonizes naturally with gardens and balconies.
Teak furniture can maintain its beautiful appearance for a long time by periodically maintaining it with oil-based wood stain. It is a recommended material for those who want to enjoy natural wood textures and also enjoy doing some maintenance themselves.
Outdoor Furniture Material ③: Metal (Aluminum/Stainless Steel)
Metal outdoor furniture is a material that is not only abundant in design, but also excels in functionality and durability.
For example, aluminum furniture is lightweight, rust-resistant, and unlikely to deteriorate even when wet in the rain. Because it is lightweight, it is easy to move and store, but since it is a softer material compared to other metals, it is recommended to secure it on windy days or bring it inside for storage.
Stainless steel is also commonly used as a metal material. Stainless steel is characterized by high durability and rust resistance. It is heavier than aluminum, but as a result, it is wind-resistant, so you can rest easy leaving it outside.
How to Choose Outdoor Furniture
Since outdoor furniture is made from various materials suitable for outdoor use, you might be wondering what points to focus on when actually purchasing. Here, we explain the following three points in detail as a guide for choosing outdoor furniture.
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Choose a waterproof type that can withstand being left in the rain
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Choose one that is easy to move and store
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Pay attention to durability and maintenance
Choose a Waterproof Type That Can Withstand Being Left in the Rain
When choosing outdoor furniture, choose a waterproof type that is strong against wind and rain so that it can safely be left out. For example, we recommend teak wood furniture, which is highly durable and water-resistant. It can be used for a long time.
Alternatively, plastic furniture that is lightweight, easy to handle, and safe to leave in the rain is also recommended. If it gets dirty, you can easily maintain it by dry-wiping it or simply spraying it with water and wiping it down. Choosing a waterproof type leads to simplified daily care and eliminates the wasted effort of storing it or covering it every time it rains.
Choose One That is Easy to Move and Store
Since it is difficult to fix all outdoor furniture in place, choosing pieces that are easy to move or store during typhoons or bad weather will help avoid wasted effort. For example, aluminum or plastic furniture is lightweight and easy to carry, making it easy for women and children to handle, so it can be moved indoors immediately if the weather changes suddenly.
Foldable outdoor furniture is also recommended. Foldable chairs and tables can be stored compactly when not in use, taking up little space during the off-season. Another point is that such furniture is convenient because it can be easily taken out for outdoor activities like picnics and camping.
Pay Attention to Durability and Maintenance
Durability and ease of maintenance are also important points when selecting outdoor furniture. This is because, to use furniture left outside for long periods for a long time, it needs to combine durability to withstand sunlight, wind, and rain with the maintainability that makes it easy to care for.
For example, stainless steel is rust-resistant and has excellent weather resistance, making it highly recommended in terms of durability. Since it is rust-resistant, it is easy to maintain, making it manageable furniture.
Also, if prioritizing maintenance, plastic furniture is easy to wash with water and maintain, and is often affordable as well. High-quality products with high durability and maintenance are slightly higher in price, but they are a good value in terms of cost-performance because they last a long time.
*Reference: What Are the Points for Choosing Outdoor Furniture? Experts Explain in Detail!
NU PLACE is Recommended for Outdoor Furniture
If you are considering purchasing waterproof outdoor furniture, "NU PLACE" is recommended. NU PLACE features furniture that is designed to be aesthetically pleasing while also considering water resistance and ease of maintenance.
They offer a wide range of furniture with water resistance and durability that you can feel safe leaving outside, and it is used by restaurants and commercial facilities that have terraces. You can easily request a catalog or view a web catalog from their website, so if you are looking for highly water-resistant outdoor furniture, please use "NU PLACE." If you want to check the quality of the furniture, visit their showroom in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
*Reference: NU PLACE
Summary | Choose a Waterproof Type That Can Be Left Outside
In this article, we introduced whether it is safe to leave outdoor furniture out, the benefits of choosing a waterproof type, and what kind of materials to choose if you intend to leave it outside.
Knowing more about outdoor furniture will be very useful at the time of purchase and for maintenance afterward. Use this article as a guide to find the outdoor furniture that meets your ideals and enjoy your comfortable time in the garden.