<p>Garden furniture needs to satisfy various criteria; for example, it must hold its own against the elements as well as resist wear and tear that would result from frequent use.</p>
<p>For gardens, <a href="https://www.plantedwell.com/garden-furniture/"><em>Planted Well </em>recommends metal furniture</a>, calling it “an elegant and durable choice that fits most styles and budgets”. Still, how can you tastefully incorporate it into your outdoor space’s design? Here are a few ideas…</p>
<p><strong>Mix metal with other materials</strong></p>
<p>“Designing outdoor spaces is similar to interiors; proportions, comfort, functionality and durability are all important,” <a href="https://www.livingetc.com/ideas/outdoor-seating-ideas">interior designer Aamir Khandwala tells <em>Livingetc</em></a>.</p>
<p>Hence, metal furniture intended for a garden doesn’t necessarily have to entirely comprise metal. You could, for example, attach <a href="https://www.thehairpinlegcompany.co.uk/collections/furniture-feet">metal furniture legs</a> to a wooden base topped with soft furnishings. Khandwala enthuses that a good combination of materials “creates depth and interest”.</p>
<p><strong>Create colored seating zones </strong></p>
<p>One benefit of making your own garden furniture is that you could source metal components in a range of intriguing colors. This situation would open up a lot of scope for experimentation in how you use color with your outdoor space’s metal furniture setup.</p>
<p>If that space is particularly large, you could choose, say, yellow metal feet for seats in one area of it and then a pastel green for metal legs of seats intended to be placed in a different area.</p>
<p><strong>Imbue your patio with an industrial vibe </strong></p>
<p>Solid teak can work surprisingly well when attached to a chunky metal base, making for <a href="https://www.gardeningetc.com/design/garden-furniture-ideas">what <em>Gardeningetc</em> describes as “a statement table that is bound to turn heads.”</a></p>
<p>For evenings when you won’t be able to rely too much on natural illumination, you could affix a simple metal frame to the table, providing you with somewhere to string up festoon lights.</p>
<p><strong>Give aluminum seating a nautical touch </strong></p>
<p>As aluminum is an especially light metal, it would be well-suited for use in furniture you want to regularly move around, including between indoor and outdoor spaces.</p>
<p>If you do go for aluminum seats, you could cover their frames with woven rope to create something of a nautical look, as could be especially appreciated at a beachfront home.</p>
<p><strong>Add ‘nifty shades of gray’ for a modern flourish </strong></p>
<p>While black and white are obviously versatile colors, liberal use of them could risk leaving a space looking dull. Therefore, an appealing alternative would be gray, which remains understated in tone while still adding a bit of interest.</p>
<p>It can look especially apt alongside metal furniture, such as if you pair anthracite-colored cushions with metal frames when putting together an outdoor seating area.</p>
<p><strong>Pair metal furniture with a parasol</strong></p>
<p>One advantage of metal furniture — especially when used outside — is that protecting its condition can be straightforward. However, you still need to be careful to look after yourself when using this furniture.</p>
<p>If your garden is often bathed in sunshine, it would be wise to erect a parasol so that you can protect yourself from harmful UV rays — and add some color to help offset the potentially austere look of metal furniture.</p>

