Our Guide to Winter-Specific Outdoor Furnishings

Outdoor decor has come a long way over the past few years. Not long ago, green, brown or white plastic chairs were about all we had to furnish our patios with. Luckily, times have changed. As our living spaces expand to include the outdoors, the fabric industry has responded with a bevy of textiles for alfresco areas. Those classic caravan-style awning stripes in outdoor fabrics have been replaced with some exciting new colors, textures and patterns. Everything from crisp double-cloths and soft chenille to elegant damasks and decorative jacquards can be used to furnish your favorite outdoor pieces. You can also opt for outdoor fabrics with patterns subtle enough to go along with upholstery found your indoor space. Or consider textiles that can enliven such spaces as patios with their vibrant and bold designs. What’s more, despite the materials in outdoor fabrics designed to improve their performance and durability, your outdoor furnishings can still feel just as plush and comfortable as their indoor counterparts. This means your outdoor sofa can be covered in a fabric that not only comes with added durability and fade resistance, but is just as soft and stunning as the fabric on your living room chairs.

Are you looking to spend quality time with your loved ones in your patio in the cool evenings or winter mornings? Or do you simply want to spruce up your outdoor space with new and improved fabrics this winter? Read our guide to winter-specific outdoor furnishings before you begin:

1.Think about the upkeep

Though outdoor furnishings are meant for the outside, they aren’t maintenance-free. Therefore, when you are shopping for these furnishings, make sure that they are easy to clean, find out about the type of material used, and its performance rating. Each outdoor furnishing material is different, and how a material is produced can determine how long it will last outdoors. To increase the life of your outdoor furnishings, store them indoors when not in use. Outdoor fabrics such as damask and linen have also moved with the trend and are supremely washable. Consider warming up your outdoor furniture this winter with cushions upholstered in heavy-handed linen. Another winter-specific outdoor textile is jacquard, which is stretchy and most importantly, durable, and therefore a great choice for helping your outdoor furnishings remain intact for a considerable time. Some textiles, made from acrylic or polyester, may come with a protective coating that resists water, moisture, mold, and mildew. However, the more the fabric is cleaned or exposed to the elements, the more the coating will wear down. Some outdoor fabrics are even known to provide protection from harmful UV rays, making them a good bet for awnings or umbrellas.

2.Consider the colours

Winter is all about incorporating that cosy feeling into your decor. One of the best ways in which you can beat the chill this season is by opting for furnishings in warm shades. Colours on the warmer end of the spectrum, such as earth tones, as well as neutrals are big hits this winter. Use them on their own for a comfy touch, or play them off nicely with pops of vivid colours for an upbeat style. For example, shades of brown that lean toward orange can serve as a fun backdrop in your outdoor space this winter. Think a sofa upholstered in plains weaves of grey and paired with cushions in orange stripes. Or consider vintage bamboo furniture with cornflower blue cushions.

3.Choose the patterns

Looking for furnishings with patterns that lift your spirits as you’re outdoors this winter? Then consider designs that are bold and bright in character, from solid stripes and intermingling swirls to oversized florals. What’s more, you can even mix these patterns, putting stripes on the sofa, florals on the ottoman, and checks on cushions. Want to return to the classics when furnishing your outdoors? Then try traditional Jacobean florals or the iconic scrolled damasks for a slice of the past. Your patio or porch should be a tactile place, so why not have tactile fabrics on your outdoor furniture? Textured neutrals, both casual and dressy, are a good bet. Since the choice of patterns in outdoor furnishings today has never been better, you can use them to make more than just upholstery and cushion . Try them on tablecloths, place mats and awnings too! To help your outdoor furniture appear extra cosy, pepper it with blankets and upholstered cushions. So warm up this winter by snuggling up with loved ones in your newly furnished, winter-friendly patio or porch.