Backyard Furniture Taking On Stylish Air

Perhaps, in the not too distant past, when you wanted garden furniture, you bought a plastic table and some chairs and plunked them down in the backyard.

Times have changed.

Today's garden furniture is sleek, sophisticated and surprisingly comfortable.

"We used to call it 'patio furniture,' and it was very simple," says Phyllis Lorig, buyer for Anaheim Patio and Fireside, which has locations in Irvine, Huntington Beach and Brea.

"Today they call it 'garden furniture,' and it has become much more formal and elegant," she says. "There are many different styles and colors to choose from. It's even possible to match the exterior of your home with your furniture."

There is a wide variety of furniture pieces available. Besides tables, chairs and benches, you'll find love seats, gliders, chaise longues, and chairs that swivel, recline and even rock.

There is also a whole line of accessories such as plastic tableware that resembles glass and coordinating place mats, tablecloths and napkins.

In many ways, outdoor furniture has been influenced by indoor decor, says Loren Lum, vice president of product development for Mainstreet USA Casual Inc., which manufactures Garden Pals, a line of garden furniture.

"Outdoor furniture has become much more stylish and extravagant, and a lot of that has been consumer-driven," he says. "People are spending more time at home, and they want their outdoors to be as comfortable and attractive as their indoors."

Nowadays, garden furniture is as much a part of the landscape as the plants and hardscape, agrees landscape designer Jeff Garton, co-owner of Paradise Designs Inc., in San Clemente.

"Furniture that has an artistic look to it is especially appealing," says Garton. "Using the right furniture in a theme garden, for instance, really pulls the entire look together."

There is garden furniture that has an antique look, such as the hand-painted umbrellas created by Hedge Row Decorative Outdoors. The Pasadena-based company two years ago began making parasol-type umbrellas that resemble Tiffany lamps. They are attractive outdoor umbrellas that have an optional low-voltage lighting system for night use.

Compared with that of years past, today's garden furniture is also much more long-lasting. Many high-quality pieces withstand the outdoor elements.