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?

@CounsellorTroi

We manage just fine with a weatherproof cast iron table and chairs. Given the prevailing climate in this country it does seem a bit OTT to have sofas and rugs outside.

We had one of these before our outdoor sofa.

Incredibly uncomfortable and if we ever ate outside, lunch was over within 20 minutes as we all wanted to get off the chairs.

According to this I have the full bingo card of tacky.
Plastic rattan cube sofa that I got cheap from some one line promotion that came flat pack and I spent a very sweary afternoon making up.
Matching plastic rattan bistro set with low coffee tables.
Solar lights dotted about the flowerbeds that don’t only light ip but they have spinner bits as well.
And the cherry on top of the tacky cake is my dining table shaped like a giant toad stall.

Lack of consideration for neighbours and wildlife. I'm so glad I live in the countryside with no street lights or neighbours.
www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=513

I don’t like this trend of cluttering up gardens with yet more unnecessary stuff - much happier to give a bit of space to nature and enjoy seeing the birds and other animals who visit. Our neighbour can’t seem to stop messing with what is quite a small garden (the latest is a huge summerhouse and hot tub) and it looks awful to me (but i’m sure they love it! )

I hate them too. I always imagine that people who have them buy ‘art’ from Dunelm.

@LadyMayoGoodway I had no idea that there was such a thing as an outdoor rug! I don't even have indoor rugs, so I don't think I'll be getting one myself.

I'm far enough away from my neighbours that my outdoor room shouldn't disturb them, so no worries in that front, and the rest of the garden is given over to wildlife so no worries on that front either.

What I'd really like is a whole outdoor kitchen area, like you get in properly hot countries. I can't really justify it here unfortunately. (Oh, and a swimming pool of course!). Actually, thinking about it, maybe I should just emigrate

I hate them too. I always imagine that people who have them buy ‘art’ from Dunelm.

This made me laugh! People make such strange assumptions.

@Bluntness100

What an odd thing to start a thread about. Why would you possibly give a shit about what someone else has in their garden?

I’ve a sofa and coffee table set, with a fire pit in the middle, three sofas actually in a u shape. And a seperate dining table set with chairs. All in a nice matt wicker.

We use them all the time in the good weather, we have dinner outside regularly in the summer, most nights when it’s dry, we sit outside and have a coffee in the morning, a beer or glass of wine in the evening, or socialise with our friends outside.

I’m all good with you thinking it’s tacky vulgar and show offy. Because they are in my garden not yours..,😂

I’ve a sofa and coffee table set, with a fire pit in the middle, three sofas actually in a u shape. And a seperate dining table set with chairs. All in a nice matt wicker.

Why would you want to actually confess that? As for a “fire pit”, that leaves me speechless.

I despise them too OP, what are these people trying to prove? I still have my sturdy red plastic coca-cola set with matching parasol that Brian at the White Bull was clearing out thankfully.

@1950swallpaper, Mumsnet has changed so much since the 'days of Twigs and Pebbly Shit'. Why do we have to take things so seriously?

Lordy, well I have outdoor furniture, including a sofa, an outdoor rug and fairy lights. I'm also getting a retractable awning fitted, so we're all going to hell in a hand cart 😱. And I went to posh school.....

@YukoandHiro

I hate them too. They look cheap, like a bad package holiday resort

Correct.

I love my outdoor sofa and table set. Can eat dinner or sunbathe - multi functional 😆

Our house is on 12 acres of fields and woods so a piddly garden furniture set is hardly cluttering the place.

I can’t think of anything more uncomfortable than cast iron seats.

We previously had an expensive wooden set of garden furniture with a large table. But it was too heavy to put away in the winter and we were lazy shits when it came to oiling it to preserve it, so it just rotted.

@Houseofmirth66

I hate them too. I always imagine that people who have them buy ‘art’ from Dunelm.

Ha, yes! Just googled this, exactly!

And a resin water feature!

@1950swallpaper

Oh but your snobbery is a manifestation of your insecurity, didn't you hear?

Echt- Recycling from flytips is doubly delightful. In the States, bulky trash days are another good source for no to me furniture.

I have an outdoor rug, furniture, lights, a fire pit and an inflatable hot tub.
I'm obviously going straight to hell!!

This thread is mad. I'm in Oz where practically everyone who has a garden has an outdoor sofa, why wouldn't you? I also have an outdoor dining set, solar lights, and shoot me now an outdoor tv. Oh and I'd better not mention my tacky as hell pool table! . We spend a lot of time out there, I want to be comfy!

I forgot my fire pit!

I’ve got one of those garden swing chairs with a shade over it - is that ok ?

Awa an bile yer heid!

@ShrikeAttack
Can I come to your garden party? Your bar looks bloody amazing.
Love the furniture too.

@1950swallpaper to despise garden furniture seems a tad over the top even for MN but why am I not surprised.

Everyone is welcome at my party @Thedogscollar.

Everyone.

49 in April. And you can all come to my party.

@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're not alone, OP. They are proliferating around my area and are incredibly tacky.