Now that your garden is looking so good, you must have plans for it. But before you go out and buy garden furniture you need to give it some serious thought.   Is it going to be your personal space or are you going to entertain there. If your plans include the latter then there are further questions you have to answer like, do you plan to cook there.  Do you have a theme in mind? 

Once you have answered these basic questions then you have a clearer picture about the kind of furniture you need to buy.  If the garden is a personal space, where you like to read, paint, sunbathe or meditate you could look at comfortable teak and rattan chairs or PVC day loungers, which could be folded away.

If you plan to entertain, then you have to decide whether you need a patio bar or whether you will cook outdoors.  This would help you identify the type of furniture you would need to buy.  In both these cases you have to also plan if the furniture has to be foldable in the off season or a permanent fixture in the garden.

Your research on permanent furniture should be thorough.  It is advisable to go in for hardwood, aluminum or wrought iron which is rust proofed.  In the long term, going in for more durable furniture might prove to be more cost effective.

Wood is very high on the priority lists of many people because it can be beautiful as well as comfortable.  So make sure you go in for a tropical hardwood like teak which has high natural oil content.  Furniture made of teak can be left outdoors for a long time.

One thing you have to check are the joints; do not buy bolts which would corrode.  If you prefer metal joints then ensure that they are rust proof.  The wood used in the garden furniture should be of high quality.

 If the wood is flawed, with knots and cracks, it will not withstand the rigors of the outdoor.  Furniture experts say that the teak used for the outdoors is best kiln dried to maximize the moisture content. Check whether epoxy glue has been used on the teak garden furniture, epoxy resin can withstand rain and frost.  

 Teak garden furniture will last longer if it is maintained regularly.  Wash off mildew and dirt with soap and fresh water.  A little bleach will keep the algae at bay.  Though there are conflicting opinions on the use of teak oil, it’s best you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Another option which you could look at is wrought iron furniture, especially when it has been hand crafted.  A major minus point against wrought iron is that the chairs are not quite as comfortable as wood.  In addition to that, you have to make sure that the furniture is coated to keep it from rusting.

You could also invest in furniture covers which are now available in the market.  This investment is really worth it as it would protect your garden furniture from the vagaries of the weather and your furniture would last longer.

When you are shopping for patio bar furniture, you have options in wood, molded plastic and metal.  Rattan and bamboo is also used in outdoor bars.   Most patio bar furniture is easy to maintain and can be kept clean by washing with a mild detergent.   

The secret to making your furniture last is to select good quality material.

So, you want to give your backyard a makeover? How about giving it a Balinese design which has become so popular all over the world?

Balinese garden designs include a number of elements besides the regular foliage and flowers. The design incorporates water, teak furniture, lanterns and Balinese embellishments like statues, vases, pottery, gates and ceremonial umbrellas.

Remember the entire theme is Asian, so the foliage should be lush and green replicating the tropical jungles (in a more civilized way, of course).  The plants which can be used are cordylines, palms and ferns, that is, plants with large leaves and long stalks to create the structure in the garden. 

Once these plants are set in the framework, then fill the gaps with smaller plants with brightly colored leaves.  The idea is to have varying heights and different kinds of leaves. The flowers you could plant should be large and ornate. Some of the more popular ones are hibiscus, lotus, oleander, torch ginger, lantana and orchids.  You could ask at your local garden center to what is available in your area.

Water is an important part of a Balinese garden and will add to the beauty greatly.  It could be a small plug in fountain, a mist maker, bowls with floating flower or candles or a rock garden water fall.  A word of advice, fountains are not essentially Balinese, so if you want to be really authentic you should go for water sprouts which are available in intricate designs.

If you have enough space in your backyard you could also incorporate a pond with water lilies.  Running water in a setting of lush green foliage would recreate a typical Balinese garden.

Artifacts and statues will go a long way in creating the ethnic Balinese feel.  The statues you can choose range from animals and birds to those of gods and goddesses.  When you do select a statue of a god or goddesses, do a bit of research before you set it in your garden. You could put it in a wall niche or in a corner or amid the foliage.   

A Balinese garden is a good place to entertain, so you have to plan your lighting well.   Make sure that the lighting showcases your artifacts.  You could light some lamps and floating candles, especially if you have a statue of a god or goddess.  Lanterns are also a good idea to light up the garden.  There are two types of lanterns to choose from, the thumb rule is to go with what pleases you best.

Above all, the garden should be colorful and bright.  The colors to use are red, orange, indigo and gold.  So go in for embellishments like candles, cushions and pots in these colors. 

If there is a covered area in your garden, where you could place some furniture go in for rattan chairs.  You can also invest in a teak divan or a day bed.  Cushions and throws could make the area very colorful.