Fall is finally here and our Southern Utah days are cooling down; many of us are looking forward to sitting outside enjoying those cooler days and nights. Adding a few fall pillows and throws will get you in the mood to enjoy your furniture in cooler weather, as well as adding a few fall decorations to help bring the inside out and add a hint of color and holiday delight to your patio space.
Fall is also a great time to clean and repair any damage to your patio furniture. Most high-quality outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the elements of nature- you should expect years of use from your patio furniture. While most manufacturers will offer 1-year warranties on their products, more often than not, their product is made from materials that will extend the lifetime of the piece beyond their stated warranty period. Pick a patio set with an aluminum frame so it will prevent rusting versus a steel set. However, a teak patio set here in St George will need more maintenance due to the heat. Follow your manufactures recommendations for cleaning and maintenance to get the best from your patio furniture.
Deciding where to place your furniture outside can be daunting. Not only do you have the design options to consider but also the weather. If your patio furniture is made of a metal frame it will get hot when in the direct sun. Southern Utah is known for its hot summers, so knowing what your furniture is made of can be useful for deciding where to place it.
Some metal furniture can retain the heat more than others. For example, while aluminum furniture will be hot when in direct sunlight, it will cool down relatively quickly once it is in the shade or as the sun sets. Wrought iron and steel furniture will tend to hold the heat longer, requiring a longer cooling period.
Many people will move their outdoor furniture in the winter and spring months in Southern Utah to capture the heat of the days while still enjoying the cooler nights. Whatever you decide, having an outdoor space that is useable will give you added space to enjoy a book, long conversations, a hot cup of coco, or a delicious family dinner.
Be creative, make it your own, and have fun decorating your outdoor space to be not only a decorative space but also a functional one.