Outdoor furnishing in a climate change world

The world’s climate is getting warmer, which means the weather’s going to become ever-less predictable as well as warmer. The eggheads predict it’ll be warmer, wetter and windier here in the UK, with a bigger risk of more frequent and extreme weather events. And that means planning alfresco fun might take a bit more thought and effort. Here are some outdoor furnishing tips for alfresco fun in a fast-warming future.

Modern outdoor furnishing to combat climate change

Old-school garden furnishings made from real rattan from natural vines are cool, but as the climate heats up they’re more prone to rot and damage than ever before. Resin rattan, on the other hand, is excellent in bad weather, a material that’s made to resist wet, heat and the ravages of extreme weather really well.

Resin rattan doesn’t rot, fade, unravel or fall apart. You can leave your garden furnishings outdoors all year long and they’ll survive looking good and ready to use. Add a fitted cover, which is sometimes included and other times available separately, and it’ll last for even longer, protected from the elements.

The same goes for the metal frames that typify contemporary resin rattan garden furnishings. Under the weave there’s a tough, lightweight aluminium frame that will never rust. Often powder coated with a resilient finish, the inner working of the furniture survive through rain and shine, wind and storms, lasting for years.

Does it look exactly like wood? Yes, it does, but the seat of the chair above is actually made from resin with a wood-like finish. Clever or what!

The cushions used in contemporary resin garden furnishing also have special properties. Some have an outer shell that lets the wet through but doesn’t allow it to gather, it just flows through to leave the pads dry, and other styles have water resistant covers that are fine in a shower but need to be brought somewhere dry if it really pours down. But they’re all crafted to withstand a certain degree of wet.

Shelter is also really important when the weather is becoming less predictable. The last thing you need is to have to run around like a blue-assed fly trying to get everything under cover when you have guests. Preparation is key here: you need garden shelter, which can take many forms.

A cantilever garden parasol is an excellent choice, especially a really BIG one that fits several people underneath. Some are big enough to shelter an entire bistro set, dining set or lounge set, a permanent fixture for your entertainment area that you simply put up in seconds to keep the party going. Because a cantilever parasol is made to rotate and can be angled, it’s perfect for keeping the rain off and can also offer some shelter from the wind.

Or how about a gazebo? The Runcton, for example, is absolutely massive, more like a decent-sized outdoor room. You can either set up your dining or lounging area inside it, or use it as a cosy, classy shelter to run to in case there’s a sudden downpour.

A sail shade is also a good idea, made from tough outdoor fabric made to withstand the weather. Strategically placed, one or more shade sails can create a comfortable, enjoyable and most of all dry space to wait until the rain stops.

Did you know you can buy outdoor rugs for the garden? Such a good idea, and it means there’s no need to run around in a panic if it rains. And resin garden storage boxes are brilliant, giving you somewhere handy, waterproof and dry to stash things without having to run in and out of the house.

Make yourself a rain plan

for the best outdoor fun, make like a boy scout and ‘be prepared’! Write a plan and give everyone in the family responsibilities. One of you can cover the furniture, another can bring the drinks and food into the dry, and so on. When you all know exactly what to do if it rains you can work like clockwork together to move the fun somewhere dry efficiently and quickly.

Now you know how to keep the party going when the weather doesn’t play ball!