In our recent in-depth guide to patio furniture, we stressed a number of times the importance of comfort.
Good metal patio furniture is only good if it invites you outside and is comfortable to use. A combination of style and comfort!
And whilst comfort is primarily about ergonomics such as the considered design of our curved and scrolled chairs or the chamfered edges of our tables that are positioned at a height that is comfortable to eat, there are a number of other ways you can maximise comfort.
Of course, another argument is that if you want comfort, then you could get an outdoor sofa, but they’re not so great for patio dining. You don’t want formal but at the same time, you don’t want to be dropping food in your lap.
You could also say that many of the pros that make metal patio furniture great could also be viewed as cons by some. For example, if you want the timeless intricate look and feel of low-maintenance metal patio furniture, then it will come with a higher heat transfer than say resin or wood pieces.
In other words, whilst our collection is economically designed, leave our chairs in the direct summer sun and they will get hot to the touch. They will not fade like resin and wood and they’re much easier to maintain.
However, we can definitely help you in that department. There are a number of simple ways to make our metal patio furniture even more comfortable and in turn significantly up the quality time you spend on them.
Here are our top 12 tips for maximising comfort on our metal patio furniture range and making sure your outdoor dining experience is a relaxing one:
1. Patio Cushions
Add comfort and style to your metal patio furniture with our cushions.
They are colourful, durable, padded for extra comfort, and they’re perfectly proportioned to fit our metal patio chairs with a tie fastening to stop them slipping off.
Constructed from fast-drying weather-resistant acrylic fabric, they are designed to be fade-resistant and showerproof.
2. Outdoor Throws
A decorative outdoor throw placed on our patio chairs or benches will not only provide a little extra comfort in the absence of cushions.
They create an inviting atmosphere and they’ll also provide a little warmth when the sun sets in the evening. They not only provide extra comfort but also add a cosy look to metal patio furniture as shown in the customer photograph of our Tulip above.
3. Garden Tablecloths
We looked at tablecloths in detail in our How to make a tablecloth for a garden table and they’re a great simple way to bring an extra layer of comfort and a touch of style all in one.
Go for soft materials, such as outdoor cotton and linen, and pick a print or colour that brings a little personal style.
They’re a great way to introduce a theme at a garden party, give your patio table some protection from spills, etc and make your guests feel like you've rolled the red carpet out.
4. Shade
For us, shade on our metal patio furniture is just as important as cushions, to not only provide us with protection from direct sunlight but to keep us cool and comfortable when enjoying food and drinks outside.
Our Parasols make sitting at your patio table much more comfortable, especially on a hot summer’s day. They feature a tilt mechanism too, so you can move them to keep the sun out of your eyes.
Constructed from a quick-drying, water-resistant acrylic, they’ll also help to keep you and your table dry if there’s the inevitable (especially at the moment) sudden shower.
5. Patio Planting
Being around plants, greenery and flowers is known to create a calming and relaxing environment, and as well as looking great, they definitely add to the overall comfort levels on your patio.
Surround your metal patio furniture with containers, potted plants and create a floral table centrepiece.
If space is limited, such as on a balcony or small city garden, then make use of hanging baskets or vertical planters to add natural beauty and create a sense of tranquillity to your outdoor space.
The gardening for health charity, Thrive have a great article that looks at some of the best plants which can help to improve mental health and wellbeing.
6. Outdoor Lighting
If you want to keep your outdoor space usable when the sun goes down, then patio lighting is essential to keep your metal patio furniture comfortable and safe to use.
You don’t want anything too “security”, so keep the atmosphere relaxing with ambient lighting around the patio table and highlight key features in your garden.
String lights, lanterns, and candles are all great ways to keep your patio table cosy and inviting for evening meals or relaxation.
7. Patio Heating
Patio heating can also extend the use of your metal patio furniture in the evening or when the temperature dips.
Pairing with a fire pit, outdoor heater, or even warm throw blankets as we mentioned above will help keep you cosy and comfortable.
We looked at some of our favourites recently in our recent Favourite fire pits for Summer 2023 article.
8. Privacy
It can be hard to relax if you feel like you are overlooked...
Consider installing outdoor blinds, curtains, or screens around your metal patio furniture to create a more secluded and intimate atmosphere.
Alternatively, you can keep things natural by planting large trees and shrubs to create a more intimate patio space.
Garden buildings and structures such as gazebos and arbours are a great way to frame a patio dining table and create a stylish and relaxing zone on your patio.
9. Outdoor Rugs
Place an outdoor rug to add texture, colour, and softness underfoot, making your patio feel more like an extension of your indoor living space.
Heating and cooling: Depending on your climate, you may want to consider adding outdoor heaters or fans to regulate temperature and make your patio usable year-round.
10. Personalise
Personalising your metal patio furniture puts your own stamp on it and significantly adds to both the look and feel of comfort.
Position decorative elements in the centre of your garden table and look to bring the creature comforts of the inside to the outside of your home.
Our How to create the perfect garden table centrepiece article has some great advice on how to add interest, character and a finishing touch to our patio tables.
11. Outdoor Entertainment
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, take the comfort up another notch with outdoor entertainment.
Set up some garden games, install an outdoor sound system or use a portable Bluetooth speaker to make your patio a perfect spot for entertaining and relaxation.
12. Pest Control
If you enjoying a relaxing meal at your patio table, then you don’t want to be bothered by beasties.
Use citronella candles, essential oils, or bug lanterns to keep insects at bay and ensure a comfortable experience for all.
Our How to keep pests away from your garden furniture post has some great safe tips, tricks and hacks to help keep them away.
If you have any photos of our Metal Patio Furniture in your garden, then we’d love to see a few for our Do Some Good campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or email them to us at [email protected].