SHOP
Spring
has sprung, and summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to head out to your patio or porch and soak in the sun, relax with family and welcome friends. If you’re purchasing outdoor furniture for the first time or replacing old furniture, it’s helpful to think of the patio and porch as extensions of your home and even your personality. The options, decisions and challenges of selecting the right furniture can be daunting. Stuart Leventhal, founder of Down to Earth Living in Pomona – which offers the area’s widest and most unique selection of outdoor furniture, home décor, plants and gardening supplies – has the following recommendations. Before making your new selection consider the following factors. COMFORT: I’m a firm believer in the idea that comfort is the most important factor when it comes to selecting outdoor furniture, and nothing can substitute for actually sitting in the chair or on the couch you are considering. Buying from an area retail store provides you with this opportunity that online purchasing does not. For many people, the goal is to create their own oasis in their backyard and so the comfort level
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of the chair or couch is critical. Depending upon the purpose, chairs come in varying heights, depths and back angles. Chairs for dining should seat you in an upright position, while those designed for lounging should be more relaxed, thus affording you the opportunity to lie back or sit relaxed for an extended period of time. Cushioned chairs tend to feel softer than solid metal ones and are more inviting. You can always add pads to metal chairs, changing the overall look and style and making them more comfortable. STYLE: Everyone wants to feel as though their backyard has a stylish and inviting look. Trust your gut when it comes to color, texture and design. Select what makes you smile when you see it on the showroom floor. Sit in it to see if it is also comfortable. Be sure to ask what material the frame is made of and the expected lifespan. Ask the same questions about the cushions; will they wear well over two years, five years or longer? Also consider the location of the set, will it be covered most of the time by an overhang or subject to weather changes? Is it under trees or out in the sun? Well-made, good-looking furniture should provide you with many
RivertownMagazine.com