Installation and Maintenance Advice for Garden Furniture

Installation Guidance

Purchasing garden furniture such as a garden bench, chair or table can help transform your garden and turn it into another room of your house, thereby creating some additional space in which to relax, unwind and remove the stresses of the day. Garden sets (tables and chairs) provide a chance to eat al fresco and enhance your entertaining options, while garden benches and chairs can give you a secluded relaxation space.

Follow our simple guide below to help you maximise the space available in your garden:

  1. Determine what type of furniture you want to have in your garden.
  2. Think about the natural design of your garden and the natural elements. It is best to select furniture and tones that will complement their setting.
  3. Choose benches to place against shady walls or under the shade of a tree canopy.
  4. Seats can be placed in corners or secluded parts of the garden to create somewhere to ‘escape’ to.
  5. Garden furniture is best placed on a firm, flat, even surface such as patio, gravel bed or timber decking.

Our garden furniture comes flat-packed. Make sure you have a clear available flat space where you can assemble the items. You might need to lay a cloth or blanket on the ground surface. Ensure you have the necessary tools available and rope-in assistance (if required). Joint projects can be a fun and bonding family, and gives a sense of pride and achievement.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Let your Furniture Brightening up Your Garden!!!

If you want to give your garden a makeover and leave your own individual mark you could consider painting your wooden garden furniture. Either you can choose traditional natural wooden colours to match your plants and create a calm feel, or you can choose brighter colours that will liven up your garden and complement your plants and flowers. Bright colours have become more fashionable in recent years which brings your outdoor space to life. Whether you opt for bright Mediterranean blues or Cuban pastels is up to you – but it can certainly help bring the indoors outdoors!

Paint not only protects the wood but can add some much-needed colour during summer months. Of course, you want to get the maximum use out of your new items and enjoy them as much as possible, so here are some handy tips to learn how to protect your garden furniture – whatever the weather.

Outdoor Furniture Care

  • Make sure you store any soft furnishings in a dry covered place overnight, when it rains and during the winter. When they come into contact with moisture mould spots will develop making them expensive to replace.
  • If you have space we recommend that during winter garden furniture is stored. If this is not possible cover all furniture sets with a soft, waterproof cover. Ensure that there is sufficient space between furniture so that air can properly circulate as this will help to prevent mould.
  • A bucket of warm soapy water is usually the best material for wiping down any wooden furniture.
  • Keep the instructions in a safe place so that you can refer to them at a later date when you need to maintain the furniture.

When you’re preparing to enjoy the spring and summer months we recommend:

  • Brushing wooden furniture down at least once a year (usually spring) with a hard-bristled wooden brush to remove any debris, dust and mildew.
  • Once brushing is completed wash it down with soapy water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any soapy residues. Leave to dry naturally in the sun.

If you want to really upgrade your furniture you can paint, or use water-resistant stain or oil to give it some additional character. Check the weather forecast before you set to work because your furniture should be completely dry before you consider applying any coatings. We recommend sanding any rough areas first to provide a smooth finish. When applying a preservative pay attention to horizontal surfaces, joints where water may collect, and areas in contact with soil. In some cases your furniture will benefit from being coated once a year. During winter months or rainy period be sure to cover when not in use and bring any cushions inside.

Maintenance Guidance

Most garden furniture requires some maintenance over the winter months. Softwood timber is no exception, so in order to keep your items in tip-top condition follow our simple tips below.

1. When should I care for garden furniture?

 Late summer / early autumn is the ideal time to care for garden furniture when there is still some dry weather and sunshine. Maintenance can be undertaken all year round.

2. How do I care for my softwood timber garden furniture?

To maintain good condition, and therefore a pleasant appearance of your garden furniture all year long, we would recommend that you wash regularly and treat with an oil-based wood stain or paint. The advantage of using an oil-based solution to protect outdoor structures is that it prevents water, dirt and sunlight from ruining its integrity (and lasting longer). Any surface debris or mould that builds up from being outside can easily be removed with a stiff brush and washed off with a solution mixture of warm water and washing up liquid.

Ensure that you check the weather forecast before applying any stain or paint so that it is done during dry weather.

Avoid trying to apply wood stain in very hot weather because it prevents it from drying evenly.

Like paint, wood-staining products are available in a wide range of colours so please consider your selection bearing in mind the overall look you want to achieve in your garden.

 3. During winter months garden furniture should be stored under cover. If you are storing wooden items together try to ensure that they are stored in a dry place and that there is some space between them to avoid mould from forming.