AIBU to despise outdoor sofa and coffee table sets?

[1950swallpaper]

I don't know why I have taken such a dislike to them. Maybe it is because it is "indoor" furniture but outside. Maybe it is because they are all made out of grey plastic wicker which is not environmentally friendly. Maybe it is because I find them very "show-offy keeping up with the Jones' smug". Maybe it is because I know if I had one, I'd find bringing the cushions in from the rain a pain in the bum. I dunno but I really find them tacky and vulgar. Am I on my own?

@pensivepigeon

We've a few folding directors chairs I drag out when I convince myself I will like sitting outside. Years ago we used to eat outside in the evenings. I sort of do enjoy reading a book out in the garden for a bit but I hate the faff of suncream if not going for a walk or a run etc and it just doesn't seem worth it when inside is comfier. We have also pretty much given our garden to the local birds and wildlife. When we deign to sit out there and not just fill the feeders / put fresh water in the bird bath we hear a lot of 'muttering' from the bushes!

🙂

I have a metal bistro set, it’s not uncomfortable I wouldn’t have bought it if it were! I’m not opposed to outdoor sofas, PILs have a set but I don’t find it very comfortable because the seats are too deep for my short legs and it has a really short back so you can’t lean on it properly. You obviously have to try before buying if you are serious about ensuring garden comfort

@ConcreteUnderpants

I have been after some of the exact furniture you described for ages, OP. What do people do about the cushions though?? Put them in the shed during winter?

We’ve put ours in the loft for winter.

I covet my neighbour's grey rattan dining set. It's really lovely. A pale, warm grey, with big thick seat covers in a lighter grey. I'll see if I can find a picture.

I have two big benches and I'm hoping to get an arbour this year too.

I love outdoor furniture. I wish someone would design a wind-proof parasol though. Mine always end up bowling down the lawn or. flying into the hedge.

@CounsellorTroi

Why would anyone want to entertain outside in the middle of winter?

Because under tier 2 rules this was allowed but entertaining indoors wasn't . Zoom chats are not the same as seeing people in person, even if we did have to sit on opposite sides of the garden .

Sadly T2 outdoor meet ups long gone

@UnityUnited I am very conscious of the environment. I understand the environmental impacts but I wouldn't replace it unless it was literally unusable and even then I would only replace the bits that needed replacing. Its been down around 7 years though and still looks new so I can't see it being a problem. Its on a raised area of the garden so it has good drainage and the soil underneath is healthy as I get plenty of little bits trying to grow through it! The kids job is to go and pull out the weeds.

mutualgroundtraining.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/jardin-medieval1.jpg?w=640

Gorgeous mediaeval garden: no sofa in sight.

Very similar to this:

Oh Jane, I actually do have a library. How wonderful to be another swallow.

If you like it @LST then fair enough. I don’t though. If everyone had it out wildlife population would be screwed. I can’t grasp why people want it but it’s completely your choice.

@Janegrey333

mutualgroundtraining.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/jardin-medieval1.jpg?w=640

Gorgeous mediaeval garden: no sofa in sight.

What us that green metallic structure in the right of the picture?

jane

It is indeed a lovely medieval garden.
A huge positive for me of not living in medieval times is that as a commoner I can afford to buy books and have the time to read them.
Therefore my garden has a comfortable reading sofa.

[quote Janegrey333]@Bluntness100

Then get straight back in your house so the bees and butterflies are not disturbed by your chavtastic presence. 😂

You probably use pesticides so the bees and the butterflies will find your garden inhospitable.[/quote]
I totally do. I don’t have bookshelves, I have shelves of pesticides all round my house. And when we can be bothered to haul our backsides off our plastic sofas we spray them everywhere ! Everywhere I tell you! 😂😂😂

What do you suggest we sit on outside, OP? We live overseas in a sunny country, have a pool, bbq area, terrace, etc. w
Would you like us all to stand all the time, or return inside to sit on sofas etc in swimsuits?
I'm not sure who we would be showing off to as we live behind high walls with no one overlooking us. Or maybe you think our visitors would think we were smug for offering them a seat if they come for a visit?
Please inform me what to do so that I don't look so show-offy. I'd be very grateful.

@Lucieintheskye

Yanbu! They're hideous and uncomfortable. We have an outdoor dining table (that isn't made of hideous glass and grey rattan-y plastic) and a couple of wooden deckchairs. Swing seat on the back porch is as sofa-y as we get outdoors.

I'd love a swing seat AND a back porch. I think they're lovely.

We have ancient wooden and iron table and chairs/bench seats. If I want posh I hoick the special chair cushions out (I sewed ties on) and add a couple of cushions. To be honest they're just the right height without and perfectly comfortable too.

I am afraid to report I also imported those standard beach loungers, with the face canopies, from Italy, IN BRIGHT BLUE - ARRRGGGHHHHHH.

What us that green metallic structure in the right of the picture?

Pedant alert.

Who knows? It’s certainly not in the pretty garden.
Maybe someone else uses the area for rattan sofa and chair purposes.

@Ariela

We have ancient wooden and iron table and chairs/bench seats. If I want posh I hoick the special chair cushions out (I sewed ties on) and add a couple of cushions. To be honest they're just the right height without and perfectly comfortable too.

That sounds lovely. Weathered wood is always a good look: for one thing, it’s not shiny and new.

Gorgeous mediaeval garden:

Looks like a series of cat litter trays.

I dislike artificial grass, decking and typically square sterile gardens/homes etc. Thats why I don't have them. If other people want them in their homes then its got nothing to do with anyone else, like my "tat" shelf in my lounge is probably hideous to anyone else

@PattyPan

I have a metal bistro set, it’s not uncomfortable I wouldn’t have bought it if it were! I’m not opposed to outdoor sofas, PILs have a set but I don’t find it very comfortable because the seats are too deep for my short legs and it has a really short back so you can’t lean on it properly. You obviously have to try before buying if you are serious about ensuring garden comfort

I have this trouble too. My DB's sofa is so deep that I have to either perch on the edge or work myself right back so my legs are almost completely stretched out.

@SoupDragon

Gorgeous mediaeval garden:

Looks like a series of cat litter trays.

That garden image is in italy, Perugia to be exact. Taken in 2009. Not quite sure why it’s being posted..

@sugarcherry

What do you suggest we sit on outside, OP? We live overseas in a sunny country, have a pool, bbq area, terrace, etc. w Would you like us all to stand all the time, or return inside to sit on sofas etc in swimsuits? I'm not sure who we would be showing off to as we live behind high walls with no one overlooking us. Or maybe you think our visitors would think we were smug for offering them a seat if they come for a visit? Please inform me what to do so that I don't look so show-offy. I'd be very grateful.

Of course it's reasonable to have sofas outdoors if you live in a sunny warm climate. The UK does not have such a climate and we are lucky if we get a summer when we can spend loads of time outdoors.

That garden image is in italy, Perugia to be exact. Taken in 2009. Not quite sure why it’s being posted..

Why not? Italy went through the mediaeval period, too, I believe!