You are working on a high-profile outdoor design and your client is looking for the most suitable sofa for their outdoor space. Outdoor living areas can certainly become more comfortable and elegant if the most suitable seating is chosen for the furnishing context and, above all, if it satisfies the customer's comfort requirements.
But how is it possible to find solutions capable of combining these two fundamental requirements? Before making hasty choices, you should consider some specific factors.
In this article, we will show you the 6 things to consider when choosing a modern outdoor sofa for an outdoor area that is sophisticated and welcoming.
6 factors to consider when choosing the best modern outdoor sofa
The options to increase comfort and style outdoors are endless, but not all are of quality and suited to customer requests.
To find the best solutions in line with the client's functional and aesthetic needs, we advise you to keep these 6 key points in mind:
- Layout type and available space
- Type and quality of materials
- Comfort potential
- Care and maintenance requirements
- Design, shapes, and sizes
- Colors and textures
Let's proceed step by step.
1. Layout type and available space
The first two fundamental steps are: consider the space available and establish the layout of the outdoor living area.
Only once these first points have been defined will it be possible to make a targeted choice from the wide range of modern outdoor sofas.
With the help of a designer and/or interior designer, the client will be able to determine the actual dimensions of the outdoor structure which will house the sofa.
Subsequently, they will be able to take care of the arrangement of each piece of furniture and create a composition in harmony with the environment.
Whether it is a luxury gazebo, a bioclimatic pergola, a majestic conservatory, or a lovely orangery, every space should be enhanced and furnished with suitable sized seating.
2. Type and quality of materials
Considering the type and quality of the materials will help you understand not only the maintenance requirements of each piece of furniture but also the style and mood of the furnishing atmosphere.
Among the most suitable materials for outdoor furniture we must distinguish between:
- Natural materials
- Synthetic materials and metals
Below, we will study the characteristics of each category.
Natural materials
Rattan
Rattan is a precious material of natural origin that comes in the form of rattan cane. It is imported from Southeast Asia, and after careful selection, it is used in the production of furniture structures.
This material has remarkable elasticity and flexibility and is lightweight.
The rattan cane is bent by heating it over a fire. In addition, rattan cane be painted.
Wicker
Wicker is obtained by wire drawing the internal part of the rattan in different diameters, in a round or flat-oval version.
Wet and subsequently woven exclusively by hand, it creates textures with the most varied designs. Wicker can also be colored through special painting processes.
Vellum
Vellum is a precious, resistant, and natural material obtained from untanned animal skin that is cut into thin strips to be woven.
It is used both for binding, offering a decorative value, and also to give life to large textures. It is suitable for coloring and the application of a fixative enhances its aesthetics and resistance, protecting it for a long time.
The advantage of rattan, wicker, and vellum furniture is that they allow you to create a natural finish with dense and precious textures that arise from the skilled hands of the craftsmen.
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To preserve the beauty and durability of the furniture over time, it is recommended to use it in sheltered environments such as verandas and porches, away from rain and direct sunlight.
Synthetic materials
Synthetic fiber
Over time, to respond to the growing market demand for elegant furnishings that last over time, new synthetic materials have been developed, They combine the appearance of natural fibers with the performance of a material that can be used outdoors.
The furnishings made of synthetic resin have an internal aluminum structure to ensure lightness and strength.
The synthetic resin tape that covers the structures is a one-of-a-kind material. It does not fear atmospheric agents or discoloration from UV rays, resists intense as well as low temperatures, and is not affected by salt, chlorine, mold, or parasites.
These features, combined with the simple maintenance it requires, make it perfect for prolonged use in outdoor environments.
Cushions and fabrics
Ensuring a relaxing and welcoming stay outdoors should be the main goal of every architect and designer involved in setting up outdoor spaces.
To ensure all-around comfort and aesthetics, select cushions and fabrics suitable for outdoor use.
Today there is a wide range of proposals on the market that perfectly reproduce the fine yarns used in indoor environments such as chenille, linens, and satins, but which are also designed to be used outdoors.
We advise you to always opt for completely removable cushions so they can be washed and choose fabrics with water-repellent properties, resistant to the aggression of the sun, moon rays, bad weather, chlorinated or saltwater, stains, and mold.
Metals
Iron
A material that never goes out of fashion is certainly iron.
Solid, compact, and extremely durable, the iron subjected to specific treatments and made unique by the use of paints with excellent technical characteristics, allows for different color solutions that last over time.
A mix of surprising properties that leaves no room for doubt: iron offers functionality and style in unique furnishing proposals, ideal for setting up refined outdoor spaces.
Aluminum
Extremely versatile, aluminum can be extruded or cast into any shape or design. Favored for its lightness and strength, aluminum is often used for the internal structures of furniture.
It requires minimal maintenance, does not rust when exposed to high or low temperatures, and is light so it can covered with other materials that give an elegant and comfortable look to the furniture.
Steel
Steel is an emblem of durability, as well as great elegance. Powder-coated galvanized steel is the best option for making furniture such as outdoor kitchens, given its high resistance to atmospheric agents.
Thanks to their durable and extremely versatile nature, in purely aesthetic terms: iron, steel, and aluminum combine their technical qualities with aesthetic potential in a perfectly balanced combination, ideal for those looking for luxury outdoor furniture with a modern look that will last over time.
3. Comfort potential
The outdoor location must be equipped with the same comforts as the home’s interior spaces.
That is why, before buying the sofa—which will become the protagonist of the living room—you should check its degree of convenience and comfort.
While many furnishings may seem welcoming at first glance, they often aren't.
For this reason, we suggest you not simply rely on the images of the catalogs but go to the showroom of the brand you are interested in to touch the selected furnishings.
4. Care and maintenance requirements
All furniture needs adequate maintenance to ensure that it remains functional and presentable over time.
For this reason, it is vital to choose furniture made with durable materials that require hygiene and cleaning care that is easy to perform periodically.
But beyond that, to ensure greater protection in periods of non-use, we suggest you select sofas equipped with a special waterproof and breathable protective cover made with certified technical materials or in any case purchase one or more of them to protect the outdoor seating.
The cover is an indispensable element designed to protect the furnishings so that they are always kept clean and beautiful, and maintain excellent conditions of comfort.
5. Design, shapes, and sizes
In the second point, we talked about the main quality materials used in the production of outdoor furniture.
We know that quality materials combined with refined and unusual finishes contribute to making each outdoor furniture durable, resistant, comfortable, and beautiful.
Therefore, it is important to choose a modern outdoor sofa with a contemporary design that is agile, sophisticated, and chic, and above all with shapes and sizes that guarantee comfort and functionality.
We recommend that you opt for modular and customizable solutions, to customize the sofa according to the client's taste, and to be able to easily insert the seating into the furniture composition.
6. Colors and textures
Previously, we advised you to choose modular furniture so that it can be adapted to the size of the space.
In a purely more aesthetic sense, it is also advisable to opt for fully customizable solutions.
The choice of color, patterns, and textures of the coverings, fabrics, and structures has a decisive influence on the location’s style; therefore, it deserves your total attention.
Defining a mood board with the help of an interior designer will allow you to view the range of materials and fabrics available—in different colors and textures—and will help you create a furnishing scenario with a great chromatic appeal.
Modern outdoor sofa: what you need to consider to choose the best solution
Before buying an outdoor furniture set, it is important to ask about some key points, to understand if the selected proposal can combine both technical qualities and aesthetic potential.
In this article, we have talked about the 6 main factors to consider when selecting a modern outdoor sofa for your luxury furniture project.
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