Second Hand Garden & Patio Furniture | Home & Garden Classifieds

Current lifestyles tend to result in our considering our outdoor space as an integral and important extension of our homes. We spend more time in our gardens that ever before and our gardens are now used to relax in after a busy day at work or to entertain friends in. Garden furniture and accessories have become big business and there are lots of different types and styles to choose from. However, if you do decide to buy new garden or patio furniture don't just rush out to your local DIY store and buy the first set of furniture you see that is on special offer as you may end up with furniture that is entirely unsuitable for your needs. Here is some help on what to consider when buying garden furniture so that you make the right choice for you.

Important questions to ask yourself

What feel or look do you want to create? Do you want to create a traditional country garden feel or a more modern urban-chic image? There is now a very wide range of styles and designs of outdoor furniture available so it is important that you choose the right type of furniture to be in keeping with the style and image of your outdoor space.
What do you plan to use your garden or patio furniture for? Do you plan to use your furniture for dining, in which case it would be better to opt for some combination of a table and chairs. Or, if you plan to use your furniture for sunbathing then you should consider buying reclining chairs, sun loungers or a hammock.
What size is your garden or patio? If your outside space comprises a small balcony then there will be clearly little use in you buying a large table and six chairs so, think about the size of your garden and what size of furniture would be best as well as how many chairs, tables, loungers etc that it can accommodate. If you are not sure, measure your garden or patio and take the measurements and your tape measure with you when you go out to buy furniture. Then you can work out which type of furniture and how much of it will fit into your garden.
What is your budget? You will find that the price of garden furniture varies enormously. Generally, hardwood furniture is most expensive while plastic furniture is the cheapest. Sometimes it can work out cheaper to buy a set of furniture rather than separate items so if, for example, you only need a table and two chairs do have a look at the prices of standard sets of a table and four chairs. Try to balance price against what it is that you want from your furniture and don't just buy something that seems like great value if it is not going to be exactly what you want. Timing is also important as most shops tend to reduce the price of garden furniture towards the end of the summer season so you should maybe consider waiting until then so that you will get more for your money and have the furniture ready for the first sunny day next year.

Other things to think about

Think about what materials will suit you best. This is a very important consideration. Garden furniture is available in a wide range of different materials and there are advantages and disadvantages to all types. For example, hardwood furniture is probably the most durable but it is expensive and needs to be regularly treated with wood stain to keep it in good condition. So, if you want maintenance-free furniture then maybe you should avoid wood. Metal furniture also needs to be regularly cleaned and can begin to rust, in which case, it needs to be treated with rust removing paint. Wrought iron furniture can look very quaint and elegant but it can also be very uncomfortable to sit on and will require you to buy cushions, which adds to the overall cost. Tubular aluminium is rustproof and durable but has a contemporary feel so it would not suit a traditional style of garden. Stone furniture can look lovely but it is very heavy and needs regular jet washing. Wicker furniture does not last well outside but it is now possible to find wicker-style furniture that is made from resin and will therefore be more durable. Plastic furniture is cheap and easy to move about but it can become brittle if left out in strong sunlight.
Think about how you plan to store your furniture over winter. If you want to leave it out all year round then you will have to opt for furniture that is made from one of the more durable materials. If you do want to store it away then look out for furniture that folds up, can be dismantled easily or stacked.
Think about delivery and installation of the furniture. Some styles will come flat packed so that you will probably be able to take them home in your own car but, will you be able to assemble it when you get it home or will that require a degree in engineering? Look out for stores that supply a home assembly service and check out how much it costs. If the furniture comes pre-assembled then find out if the supplier will deliver it to your home and how much this will cost you.

Buying second hand garden or patio furniture
Buying your garden furniture second hand can reduce the price you pay for it but make sure that it is exactly what you want before you buy it. Ask if you can see it or at least see a photo of it, check if you will be able to get it home and find out if it is damaged in any way � a table with a wobbly leg is one of the most annoying things ever -- so what you originally thought was a bargain could actually end up as a source of frustration.