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  • Shop
  • Meet Kathy Kuo
  • The Trade Exclusive
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  • Pro Tips from Kathy
    • The KKH Guide to Chic & Kid-Friendly Holiday Decor
      more
      View more

      The KKH Guide to Chic & Kid-Friendly Holiday Decor

      2 months ago
    • How to Match Your Holiday Decor to Your Interior Design Style
      more
      View more

      How to Match Your Holiday Decor to Your Interior Design Style

      2 months ago
    • 'Tis The Season for Holiday Gifting, Giveaways & More
      more
      View more

      'Tis The Season for Holiday Gifting, Giveaways & More

      2 months ago
  • Design Handbook
    • 5 Easy & Fun Tips for a Sophisticated Playroom Design
      more
      View more

      5 Easy & Fun Tips for a Sophisticated Playroom Design

      4 days ago
    • Wall Art 101: How to Choose Your Pieces & Hang Your Gallery Wall
      more
      View more

      Wall Art 101: How to Choose Your Pieces & Hang Your Gallery Wall

      3 weeks ago
    • Budget Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost To Decorate A Room?
      more
      View more

      Budget Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost To Decorate A Room?

      3 weeks ago
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    • Nursery
    • Kitchen/Bath
    • Outdoor
    • Bedroom
    • Dining Room
    • Office
  • Shop
  • Meet Kathy Kuo
  • The Trade Exclusive
  • Friends of the Kuotes
  • Our Projects
  • Pro Tips from Kathy
    • The KKH Guide to Chic & Kid-Friendly Holiday Decor
      more
      View more

      The KKH Guide to Chic & Kid-Friendly Holiday Decor

      2 months ago
    • How to Match Your Holiday Decor to Your Interior Design Style
      more
      View more

      How to Match Your Holiday Decor to Your Interior Design Style

      2 months ago
    • 'Tis The Season for Holiday Gifting, Giveaways & More
      more
      View more

      'Tis The Season for Holiday Gifting, Giveaways & More

      2 months ago
  • Design Handbook
    • 5 Easy & Fun Tips for a Sophisticated Playroom Design
      more
      View more

      5 Easy & Fun Tips for a Sophisticated Playroom Design

      4 days ago
    • Wall Art 101: How to Choose Your Pieces & Hang Your Gallery Wall
      more
      View more

      Wall Art 101: How to Choose Your Pieces & Hang Your Gallery Wall

      3 weeks ago
    • Budget Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost To Decorate A Room?
      more
      View more

      Budget Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost To Decorate A Room?

      3 weeks ago
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    • Nursery
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    • Outdoor
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Kathy Kuo Blog | Kathy Kuo Home
These 5 Materials Are Magic for the Outdoors

These 5 Materials Are Magic for the Outdoors

Kathy Kuo Home 10:12 am
Maintain a beautiful porch or patio with these outdoor furnishings...

The air is warm, trees are abloom, and your days are spent musing over your outdoor space. Sound like you? With cookouts and pool parties in the very near future, it’s time to consider your porch or patio possibilities. One of the difficulties with designing your outdoor space is furniture durability. You want to invest in pieces that you know will last you for seasons to come. Today on the blog, we’re pinpointing the five materials that’ll be your saving grace this summer. We love these materials because they’re durable, weather-resistant, and easy to maintain—even if your outdoor area is uncovered. And the best part? You can find outdoor furniture with this material integrity at KKH, where the quality and durability is met with high design.


outdoor dining chairs

Teak

No need to be afraid of a little rain. Teak is a tropical hardwood with high oil content and a tight grain, making it impenetrable to water even if the wood is unfinished. In fact, teak is consistently used as the material of choice for boatbuilding because it’s so water resistant! So whether your porch is covered or not, teak is ideal for outdoor furniture you can keep out all year long. Teak is also resistant to termites and other insects, so you never have to worry about pests or rotted wood.

Shop It Now: 

Serena Modern Grey Rope Woven Teak Outdoor Sofa - Salt

Serena Woven Teak Outdoor Sofa

 

Lenore French Country Trestle Square Top Teak Outdoor Dining Table

Lenore French Trestle Teak Outdoor Dining Table

 

Coast Teak Sling Canvas Outdoor Side Chair

Teak Sling Canvas Outdoor Side Chair

 

Cleaning and Care

Once a season, use a soft-bristle brush to remove any dirt that has cropped up. And for the first few rainfalls after the initial purchase of teak furniture, store the cushions separately to prevent stains from the wood’s natural oils. Like all other wood, untreated and unfinished teak will develop a silvery patina with time. If you prefer to maintain the original golden color, you’ll want to periodically apply a sealant or a specially formulated teak protector.


wicker patio furniture

Wicker

Here’s the truth: all-natural rattan wicker isn’t weather-resistant. That said, you’ll find that the selection of synthetic resin wicker used in today’s product design industry has come a long way. Shop our outdoor pieces at KKH, and you can find wicker furniture that look just as good as the real thing, and they’re water and UV resistant so you can have them out on an exposed patio without having to worry. And for a classic outdoor patio look, wicker is a must.  

Cleaning and Care

Resin wicker requires very little maintenance. Seasonally wash with a mild liquid soap and water to prevent any dirt buildup.

Shop It Now:

Coastal Beach Black Wicker Outdoor Swivel Stool

Black Wicker Outdoor Swivel Stool

 

Halo Tray Grey Oyster Wicker Outdoor Coffee Table

Halo Tray Grey Oyster Wicker Outdoor Coffee Table

 

Wind Oyster Grey Wicker Outdoor Armchair

Wind Oyster Grey Wicker Outdoor Armchair


Powder-Coated Aluminum

If you need some creative flexibility for your outdoor design, aluminum furniture can be a great choice—they can be powder-coated almost any color under the sun!

Shop It Now:

Rama Global Bazaar Regeant Outdoor Armchair - Red

Red Rama Regeant Outdoor Armchair

 

Lily Coastal Beach Blue White Woven Occasional Chair

Lily Coastal Beach Blue White Woven Occasional Chair

 

Rama Global Bazaar Regeant Outdoor Side Chair - Sky Blue

Sky Blue Rama Regeant Outdoor Side Chair

 

In addition to a more adventurous palette, aluminum furniture is durable, low maintenance, and rust-resistant. The powder coating from the paint keeps the aluminum from oxidizing and the technique keeps the paint from chipping, peeling, cracking, or fading as well. And for those of you concerned that aluminum looks cheap, just check out our refined Jane pieces below. Read: French modern with an extravagant flair. 

Shop It Now:

Jane Modern French Metal White Outdoor Arm Chair

Jane Modern French Metal White Outdoor Arm Chair

 

Jane Modern French Metal White Outdoor Daybed

Jane Modern French Metal White Outdoor Daybed

 

Jane Modern French White Canopy Metal Outdoor Double Chaise

Jane Modern French White Canopy Metal Outdoor Double Chaise

 

Cleaning and Care

Wash aluminum furniture with a mild liquid soap (car wash soap will do the trick!). If your furniture has a smooth finish, a coat of a mild auto wax every six months or so will also help to preserve your furniture’s original luster. For textured surfaces, a light coat of mineral oil will do the trick.


outdoor furniture on patio

Wrought Iron

We love this handsome material for elegant and European-inspired gardens and patios. Wrought iron looks beautiful, and it’s just as resilient as powder-coated aluminum. It can also be crafted into several intricate, graceful silhouettes, bringing a high level of sophistication to your outdoor space.  

Cleaning and Care

Clean wrought iron pieces regularly with a mild liquid soap, and wipe with a nonabrasive cloth. A mild car wax can also help to restore shine and repel water.

Shop It Now:

Norfolk Industrial Loft Teak Wrought Iron Dining Table

Norfolk Teak Wrought Iron Dining Table

 

Ella Oval Interlock Ivory Outdoor Coffee Table

Ella Oval Interlock Ivory Outdoor Coffee Table

 

Gillian Floral Ivory Iron Outdoor End Table

Gillian Floral Ivory Iron Outdoor End Table

 


orange outdoor sofa and pillows

Outdoor Fabrics

Want that all-white look for your outdoor space? It’s not as impossible as you might think. Performance fabric sometimes gets a bad rep, but at KKH, we’re constantly searching for the newest initiatives in product development as we curate the items on our site. The performance upholstery and pillows we use are resistant to water, mold, and UV rays, but they retain the luxe look and feel of any traditional indoor fabric. Since they’re so easy to clean and maintain, we specify it not only for our outdoor projects but for any household with kids or pets! 

Shop It Now:

Coastal Beach Beige Trellis Outdoor Pillow

Coastal Beach Beige Trellis Outdoor Pillow

 

Majorca Dove Grey Overstuffed Slate Outdoor Sofa

Majorca Dove Grey Overstuffed Slate Outdoor Sofa

 

Perri Modern Global Trim Teal Outdoor Pillow

Perri Modern Global Trim Teal Outdoor Pillow

 

Cleaning and Care

To keep outdoor performance fabrics looking fresh, brush off loose dirt before it sets in and wipe up spills as soon as they happen. You can spot-clean outdoor fabric with a mix of mild soap and water: use a soft-bristle brush to work in the solution, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry. Follow this cleaning process for the entire piece a few times a season or as needed.


 

Tell us about your outdoor space in the comment section below!

 

 
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