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?

You mean...faux mediaeval?

Of course it is. Think about it. Given that we do not live in the mediaeval period - unless you exist in a parallel time frame - then it can only be a copy. Got it?

@GreenlandTheMovie

JaneGrey333 The garden was mediaeval in style. The slightly natural look adds to its charm. There are many other types, including the type you referenced, so there is nothing whatsoever “odd” about it or about it being the image I selected.

You mean...faux mediaeval? Even worse! It is surely the Italian equivalent of a cheap rattan sofa.

I do get what you are aiming at , but its all just a little too Barbara Cartland crossed with Charlie Dimmock's idea of what a "tasteful" garden should look like. (in fact, Charlie Dimmock would probably produce something better).

The key is to have the confidence to do what you want, and to be kind about other people's choices. Everyone knows that cheap rattan furniture is a little tacky, but no-one cares, because even people with walled gardens can hide it somewhere out of the way because they want to be comfortable. And, you know, time moves on, new materials are invented. Monkey puzzle trees and American redwoods at one time were "nouveau" and look how they caught on.

By the way, the mediaeval era isn't really a garden trend - it stemmed from the 5th to the 15th century, latterly ending in the bubonic plague and is more commonly referred to as the dark ages. I think you may be referring to the renaissance era because mediaeval gardens really did need to be more productive than decorative.

Oh my.

Google is your friend, I can see.

Problem with fancy outside furniture in the UK is the crappy weather. I bought a little wicker outside sofa and it's pointless (twas cheap on marketplace). I just have my proper outside table with 4 chairs now. I would love one of those proper sunbeams but garden too small for that as well as my table and chairs.

YANBU AND YABU.

I am bemused by all the pictures on Instagram of entire living rooms moved outside. But also kind of like it. Although moving everything inside and outside all the time must be a faff.

@Janegrey333

Google is your friend, I can see.

No, an LLB and a year spent studying Roman law, specifically the Glossators and the Commentators is. And an old fashioned "classical education" at school.

I think you really do mean renaissance rather than mediaeval though, don't you?

No, an LLB and a year spent studying Roman law, specifically the Glossators and the Commentators is. And an old fashioned "classical education" at school.

Is there really any need to boast about your degree?! That’s cringeworthy. And a bit off-topic.

Do regale us with details of your brown plastic rattan set. Do you have classical style, weathered urns to complement the rattan?

We spent ages trying to find something that didn’t look cheap and ends up with this one which was hideously expensive but more comfortable than my actual sofas land can stay outside in all weathers. We eat outside every day in the summer so 🤷🏽‍♀️

www.hayesgardenworld.co.uk/product/life-outdoor-living-timber-deluxe-corner-set

Yep. They're tacky. ( Well, the sets for the amount of money I'm prepared to spend are) . But I want one to go with my sex pond.

@Buzzinwithbez

Yep. They're tacky. ( Well, the sets for the amount of money I'm prepared to spend are) . But I want one to go with my sex pond.

Haha...!

I think if I’m honest it depends on what you use your garden for and where you live in the country, and the size of the patio area which dictates the best seating for you.

If you’re the sort to have a coffee out there, maybe sunbathe, maybe a meal on your own or with partner, and have a small patio, then a small dining or bistro set is likely all that’s required

If you’ve space and you entertain a lot, then of course having large comfortable seating is going to work much better.

As said, we have three three seater sofas in a u shape, and also seperate a dining set, dining table and seating for ten, with proper chairs. Both rattan.

But in non Covid times we socialise and entertain a lot. We have the space, we live in the south east, so the climate is good, and in the spring summer and early autumn we spend a lot of time out there. When it’s warm and dry most of our meals are out there, many evenings, and we have our friends round regularly.

A small cast iron bistro set wouldn’t work for us. Wood needs to much maintenance. A good rattan I like the look of and it’s so easy to manage, it’s out year round and I just give it a hose down and it’s good to go. The cushions are in a large cushion box. They are thick and about two inches deep so mega comfy, hence why we are all comfy to stay out there for long periods.

I’m ok with it not being to everyone’s taste. Because quite frankly I don’t socialise with the sort of people who would be weird about our taste in garden furniture , so it’s highly unlikely they would ever score an invite and be forced to see it..😃

@User2921

I always think that the people who own them are probably a lot of fun. Same with hot tubs and outdoor bars. They make me think the owners are sociable and like to enjoy life a bit more than sitting in front of the tv. Assumptions of course, but that's the image they conjure up. I haven't got of these things and am jealous of the people I think have more fun than me.

That’s a lovely way of looking at it - which equally means you’d be a great friend to invite over!

Not going to lie - hot tubs don’t do it for me. Not because I judge anyone, but they’ve never appealed (in days gone by, I’d never do the jacuzzi at a spa, I just never feel relaxed in them). Now, show me a swimming pool in the garden and I’m all in!

I love those:

images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/llewelynandcompany/Antique_French_Garden_Bistro_S_as374a376b.jpg

This is perfect and the garden looks French.
assets-vinterior-2.vinterior.co/uploads/listing_image/image/4208918/vintage-french-garden-bench-1930s_0.jpg

I have a couple of metal chairs and a table similar to the ones posted (they are not vintage). I can’t imagine sitting on them for more than about twenty minutes.

After reading this thread I now know I was wrong to think these things were fun. Very worried about being vulgar, tacky and common so have decided not to buy a set.
Shall instead drag my living room sofa out the front. It's a nice one (from Dunelm) so should look more classy I think?

Having a rattan sofa during lockdown was bloody amazing actually. I don’t care if others think it was tacky. I’d rather be comfortable than please someone else I’m never likely to meet with my garden decor.

I have one, with a dining table rather than a coffee table. I don’t particularly admire it from a design point of view, but it is bloody comfy, the sofa is large enough to stretch out reading a book or have an afternoon snooze on. We also have festoon lights for when we are outside at dusk. It looks as if we should have our own craft brewery, but I really don’t care what others think. It makes me happy because I am comfy.

[quote Janegrey333]This is perfect and the garden looks French.
assets-vinterior-2.vinterior.co/uploads/listing_image/image/4208918/vintage-french-garden-bench-1930s_0.jpg[/quote]
It might be perfect for you, it looks uncomfortable and unattractive.

This thread is making me long for Spring so that I can get outside for most of the day again! I hope we have the same weather this year as we had in the first lockdown.

YANBU you’re soooo much classier than the great unwashed OP.

[quote Janegrey333]I love those:

images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/llewelynandcompany/Antique_French_Garden_Bistro_S_as374a376b.jpg[/quote]
That looks painfully uncomfortable

*I love those:

images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/llewelynandcompany/Antique_French_Garden_Bistro_S_as374a376b.jpg*

They look a bit ‘shabby chic’. Very twee.

I can’t imagine my dc, both well over six feet and powerfully (not fat) built, squeezing themselves into those metal chairs. Anybody, male or female, who can sit comfortably in them for an afternoon must be built like a sparrow.

@User2921

After reading this thread I now know I was wrong to think these things were fun. Very worried about being vulgar, tacky and common so have decided not to buy a set. Shall instead drag my living room sofa out the front. It's a nice one (from Dunelm) so should look more classy I think?

This brings back happy memories of sitting out the front on the sofa in student days