ᐅ I am looking for good outdoor furniture for the summer.

We went over to the Netherlands to Obelink and bought a large seating area with a table for about 1300€ (EUR). It has been on the rooftop terrace for 2 years now, and we are satisfied. Which brand? Don’t ask me that. I wouldn’t base my decision on that either. Just choose what you like and what you’re willing to pay. Take that and be done with it. Whether you’ll still be happy with it after 5 years, you will find out then. Even within one brand, there can be big differences.

A long time ago, we bought the typical wooden garden furniture, I think made from eucalyptus. At the apartment, we had a covered terrace, so they looked nice for a long time even without much maintenance. After standing outside for three summers now, they have deteriorated a lot despite care. Without a roof, I wouldn’t choose them again.

Polyrattan looks nice at first, but in my opinion, it eventually becomes a real dirt magnet. Maybe there are cleaning options, for example with a pressure washer.

With metal furniture, you should pay attention to good workmanship. A friend of mine had noticeable rust stains on the terrace because of this.

Hardwood garden furniture, Bangkirai or even genuine teak from the Danish discount store. We have had them for years, I think more than 10. Maintenance: In spring, clean with Netrol, then oil with Owatrol D1. These are Norwegian products originally developed for shipbuilding but also available outside of Scandinavia via online retailers. We also treat teak furniture indoors with Owatrol, applying it with an old T-shirt or dish towel, which will naturally be ruined afterwards. The result is a noble, velvety appearance. Netrol has a strong smell, so be careful and wear gloves.

I have had a very good experience over the past 5 years with polyrattan garden chairs from Aldi. They usually come back on offer every spring. I have 2 high-back chairs and 4 armchairs. The table I got from another source. The furniture stays outside all year round, sometimes under a shelter, but also completely exposed to the elements. The armrests are made of wood, I think eucalyptus. They probably need an oil treatment this spring, although that would be the first time.

The usual chair cushions fit these chairs. I bought high-quality ones from Kettler. These cushions are stored in a suitable box on the terrace all year round. When choosing such a box, make sure it has an internal width of 120cm (47 inches) and not an external dimension, otherwise it will be a tight fit for the seat cushions. I bought the box 4 years ago from an online retailer, I believe through Ebay.

I am also looking for new chairs and a nice table. Although I would prefer wood, the furniture we have had so far required a lot of maintenance, otherwise it quickly becomes faded. Are there any tips on how to avoid the need for varnishing? Or at least how to limit it to once a year?

Owatrol D 1 saturator. The wood is protected for one year. Easy to apply, extremely durable, and therefore cost-effective. Karsten