Can I buy outdoor bar stools? The answer is yes. There are now bar stools on the market that are specifically designed to be used outdoors and left outdoors.
Outdoor bar stools can be made from a number of different types of materials including wicker, wicker resin, cast aluminum, cast iron and wood. I will deal with each type of material separately.
Outdoor wicker furniture is classic and lovely. It always reminds me of sitting on my grandmother’s wrap around porch. Wicker bar stools, although a fairly new to the market, still have that classic old world charm. Most outdoor wicker bar stools are painted white. Wicker furniture can last for decades but needs annual care. If you want outdoor wicker furniture then you must also consider buying some good quality outdoor furniture covers.
Bar stools that appear wicker but are made from resin are also very popular. Resin wicker furniture has gained a lot of popularity over the past 3 or 4 years and for good reason. This material looks great and is very durable. I love this material as I think it has a very exotic feel to it. Add some gauze curtains and a pitcher of ice tea and you could be on the set of Out of Africa. Resin wicker bar stools are hot.
Outdoor metal bar stools are also very popular. Generally these metal bar stools are either made from cast aluminum or cast iron.. The draw back to cast iron bar stools are that they are expensive and they are incredibly heavy to move. However they are durable and can be repainted to look like new over many decades. Cast aluminum outdoor bar stools are inexpensive, light weight and easy to move. However, cast aluminum is less durable than cast iron and can break. Once a cast aluminum chair or table has broken, it is impossible to fix.
Outdoor wooden bar stools are also an excellent choice. For those that can handle the price tag, outdoor teak bar stools are simply lovely. Teak is the wood that is used on sailboats for the hatch and handles etc. It can withstand sun, salt and water and will not rot. Teak needs to be cared for regularly and, absent excellent outdoor furniture covers, will need to be sanded and refinished every few years. Cedar is similar. Cedar bar stools will gradually change from the a lovely reddish yellow color to a dignified silvery gray as it is exposed to the elements. If you don’t want your outdoor bar stools to change color you will have to apply a protective coat of sealer when they are new. Regardless of the color, cedar will not rot and stands up to rain and snow. Cheap outdoor wooden bar stools are made out of less expensive and less durable wood. I have a lovely set of outdoor patio furniture that is made from pine but stained to look teak. It has held up very well for me and I even leave the entire set of table and 4 chairs outside every winter. The key to maintaining the furniture in good shape is to do some annual or bi-annual maintenance. The same would go for outdoor wooden bar stools that are made from a wood that is not teak or cedar.
Adding outdoor bar stools to your outdoor decorating scheme will add a little spice to your decor. Whether the bar stools be wicker or metal or wooden. Each material type has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, each type of material gives the bar stool a different feel. Think about the feeling and setting you wish to create before you purchase your outdoor bar stools.
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