How to Choose Durable Outdoor Furniture: 5 Tips

When summer comes, we want to spend every free moment outdoors – and one of the best ways to do that is to create a comfortable, stylish terrace or balcony where you can relax in the sun or host relaxed evenings with friends and family. But choosing the right outdoor furniture can be a challenge. There are quite a few things to consider!

The idea of designing outdoor furniture came from our own need. We could not find functional outdoor furniture made in Estonia that would withstand our changeable weather and be as soft and comfortable as a living room sofa. So we decided to design it ourselves. After several years of testing in snow and rain, our studio completed the modular MOOD outdoor sofa. Our outdoor furniture offers versatile seating for your terrace or garden. The range includes a corner module, a seat module and an ottoman, which let you create different sets – from two-seater sofas to interesting corner lounge combinations. MOOD outdoor furniture modules are easy to connect with special hidden clips, ensuring both stability and flexibility.

Here are some tips to help you find the right outdoor furniture:

1. Pay attention to the materials used

Outdoor furniture must be durable and weather-resistant to withstand sun, rain and wind all year round. Choose garden furniture with a frame made of durable materials such as aluminium, stainless steel or weather-resistant wood. For upholstered outdoor furniture, make sure the foam and fabric are suitable for outdoor conditions.

MOOD outdoor furniture is made with a special open-cell foam designed for outdoor use and weather-resistant plywood. While ordinary foam soaks up water, the open-cell foam used in MOOD lets water drain straight through. The legs are made of bent metal that is galvanised and powder-coated to protect it from rust.

2. Find a comfortable and functional outdoor sofa

Comfort and functionality should be the most important things to look for in garden furniture. A common problem with beautiful outdoor furniture is that it is uncomfortable. Or the opposite – the furniture is comfortable, but heavy to lift or simply not suited to our changeable climate. Good outdoor furniture strikes a balance between comfort and function.

Despite its strict, minimalist form, MOOD is a very soft and comfortable place to sit. When more guests are coming to a barbecue, it is much nicer to talk facing each other than sitting side by side in a row. In that case you can separate the modules and turn one sofa into two, or use the modules as individual armchairs. The modules are also very light, so they are easy to move when needed. You can even place the MOOD outdoor sofa on the lawn, as its legs are designed not to sink into the ground.

3. Think about your needs and layout

Before choosing outdoor furniture, measure your terrace or outdoor area and think about how you want to arrange the furniture. We recommend marking out the dimensions of the new sofa with tape before buying, to make sure it suits the proportions of the space and does not feel cramped.

Our functional modular sofa has three types of modules: a corner module, a seat module and an ottoman. All modules measure 90 × 90 cm and can be combined into flexible sets – from a small two-seater sofa to interesting corner lounge solutions. The modules connect with special clips hidden underneath.

4. Check that the fabric suits outdoor use and is easy to clean

It is very important that outdoor furniture is easy to care for and durable, especially in our climate. Every material needs some kind of care, whether that means regular cleaning or using a cover. Look for fabric that is water- and sun-resistant, and avoid heavily textured fabrics for garden furniture.

MOOD is upholstered in a water- and UV-resistant fabric chosen specifically for outdoor use. UV protection keeps the fabric from fading quickly, and the right treatment makes cleaning easy and protects the fabric from dirt. Like the foam, the fabric lets water through very well, so you do not need to bring the furniture under cover when it rains – the sofa dries quickly. We also offer covers made specifically for our outdoor furniture, so it can be stored outdoors all year round.

5. Consider storage space

If you have limited storage space, choose folding or stackable furniture that takes up less room when not in use. Also consider portable pieces or accessories that let you adapt your terrace as needed. Our MOOD garden furniture is designed to be stored outdoors all year round, so you do not have to bring it inside every time it rains.

See MOOD outdoor furniture in our showroom at Staapli 10, Noblessner, Tallinn.
Browse our full range in our ONLINE SHOP.

Furniture designed and made in Estonia

OOT-OOT Studio is a furniture design studio founded by designers Marko Ala and Joonas Torim, focusing on upholstered furniture and beds. Our entire product range is designed and made in Estonia. It includes sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, poufs, footstools, beds, mattresses and outdoor furniture. Quality materials, thoughtful design and ergonomics are the cornerstones of OOT-OOT Studio design.