A terrace is rarely planned; it grows organically. First comes the table, then eventually chairs, then a parasol. The result is an open-air furniture storage. Yet, the same rules apply outdoors as indoors: you need a seating group with a clear center, enough space to walk through, and a light source for the evening.
First, divide the area
Plan with two zones. The dining area needs 90 to 100 cm of free space around the chairs, otherwise no one can pass the table. The lounge zone requires less, 60 cm between the sofa and coffee table is sufficient there. Only when both zones are marked out should furniture be selected, not the other way around.
The materials, honestly sorted
Teak is the classic and the most low-maintenance solid wood option. Untreated, it will turn silvery grey within a year, which is not a defect but an oxide layer. If you want to maintain the warm color, oil it once a year.
Powder-coated aluminum does not rust, is lightweight, and therefore a poorer choice in a storm if not weighted down. It tolerates salty air better than steel.
Stainless steel looks durable and is, but shows flash rust on the coast if not regularly washed off. This is not a material defect, but a deposit.
Ceramic and fiber cement for tabletops: insensitive to heat, wine, and UV, but heavy and susceptible to impact at the edges.
Woven materials should only be purchased in HDPE fiber, not PVC. HDPE fades significantly slower and does not become brittle in cold weather.
The point where most people save: the fabric
An outdoor cushion lives or dies by its cover. True outdoor fabrics are solution-dyed, meaning the color is in the fiber core instead of on the surface. They hardly fade, can be scrubbed with diluted cleaner, and dry from the inside out. Buy cushions with a foam core that allows water to pass through, not with ordinary furniture foam that stores it and smells musty after two weeks.
Light turns the terrace into a room
The difference between a terrace that is used in the evening and one that stands empty in the evening is almost always the light. A single spotlight on the house wall is not enough; it blinds and casts harsh shadows. Several low light sources are better: battery lamps on the table, ground spotlights in the planting, a weatherproof wall lamp next to the door.
Winter storage
Weatherproof does not mean winterproof. Cushions belong dry indoors, ceramic tops should not freeze in standing water, and protective covers need air, otherwise more will sweat underneath than would get wet from above. What lasts longest is what stands dry in winter.
Our selection for outdoors can be found under Outdoor, suitable accessories under Accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which material is the most low-maintenance for garden furniture?
Teak and powder-coated aluminum. Teak naturally greys and only needs oil if the warm color is to be maintained.
How do you recognize a true outdoor fabric?
It is solution-dyed, meaning the color is in the fiber core. Such fabrics hardly fade and can be cleaned with moisture.
How much space does a dining group need on the terrace?
90 to 100 cm all around behind the chairs, so that one can pass the set table.