Gardens now serve as an integral part of a homes living space, so it only makes sense to invest in garden furniture. When shopping for pieces, remember to look past the aesthetics and go for functionality, too. Here are some tips:

Remember: safety first. You dont have to be living in a windy city to know that as a precaution, garden furniture (together with outdoor play furniture such as swings) should be properly assembled, and if possible, anchored to the ground. This is especially true for bigger garden furniture, such as arches or tents. When major weather changes (such as storms or light hurricanes) suddenly occur, bring garden chairs and smaller garden furniture inside the house to keep them from being blown away by the wind and causing harm to people or damage to property.

If your garden furniture is made of wood, make it a habit to regularly check for splintered wood or cracks. They can wound you if left un-repaired. If your garden furniture is made of metal, regularly check for rust. It is easier to treat smaller corrosion spots, so dont wait for them to become bigger and obvious. You may have to replace the whole set if this happens.

Be environmentally friendly. Make sure that the garden furniture you are buying is made from renewable resources. Be extra careful when buying wooden furniture. Make sure that the manufacturer uses only sustainable sourced timber.

Invest in maintenance. Garden furniture does not come cheap, and to keep it looking new, its a good idea to purchase tools that can protect it from outdoor elements. For as low as $30, you can buy garden set covers (for patio furniture, etc). These covers are usually made of woven polyethylene. Get those that are washable and do not tear easily. Also be sure to check the stitching it should be firm and long-lasting. Buy only garden furniture covers with big eyelets so that you can secure them to the ground during windy or stormy conditions.