senior editor Morgan Michener shares her favorite outdoor furniture finds. 
Spring and summer in the magazine world is always super busy. As well as our regular stories, we add cottages and gardens to our list of projects to be photographed. Personally, I really look forward to this time of year — an early morning start shooting a beautiful garden is a glorious way to begin the day. It’s also very interesting to see how homeowners, in our mostly chilly climate, maximize their outdoor spaces.

Beyond the garden beds (or a great planter for our condo friends), furniture and accessories are clearly as important outdoors as they are indoors. I’ve rounded up some of my top picks for the season ahead. One key point to remember is that the early bird really does get the worm — you will find planning ahead and getting stock early will set you up for a longer season outside. So get shopping folks! and remember what my mother used to say: “Nature doesn’t clash, only the outdoor furnishings might.”

Whether it’s for the city or the country, anything made of rattan or bamboo is super chic right now. This hanging piece feels fresh to me because it’s a bench, not the chair we have seen in the past. It would be perfect on a covered porch.

Source: Serena & Lily

Products: Hanging Rattan Bench, $898

At $30, the Jassa folding bamboo coffee table at Ikea won’t last long on the shelves, so snatch it up while you can. (I’ve seen it in person and bought two. It’s only about 24” in diameter so it can easily be used as a side table as well.)

Source: Ikea

Products: Jassa folding bamboo coffee table, $30

We always talk about the importance of art and statement pieces within your interior, and the same goes for your exterior. new from Made Goods, Cedric is the perfect piece to act as a focal point and add sculpture to your garden.

Source: Candelabra

Products: Cedric object by Made Goods, $450

I always think a classic is a good investment, and you simply cannot go wrong with an Adirondack chair. also known as Muskoka or Cape Cod chairs, they have staying power for a reason. These chairs from Polywood come with various back styles to fit any look. made of a plastic resin that has been purified and UV protected, they are super easy to care for (no more painting!). I have to say I’ve seen resin chairs before, but these are especially well done. The graining is spot-on (they look like wood) and they are really comfy.

Source: Polywood Inc

Products: curved oversized Adirondack/ Slate Grey, $269; Yellow chair: long Island Style/ Lemon, $389; Green chair: Seashell Adirondack/ Green, $489.

Regardless of the style of furniture you choose, you will likely want to add some soft bits — if not for chairs then for the occasional nap outside. I really like the two pillow styles above as they are neutral and will work with both traditional and contemporary exteriors. Both are made from a solution-dyed acrylic fabric and can withstand outdoor weather.

Source: Lowes

Products: allen + roth Grey cross outdoor throw Pillow, $19; allen + roth Cabana Black striped outdoor throw Pillow, $19

The HAY Palissade outdoor Collection was designed for a variety of environments. I love that it is intended to be left outdoors all year long, and with so many pieces available in the collection there is something for everyone. Made of powder-coated steel tubing, the furniture is resistant to wind — perfect for a balcony! It is available in stock through Klaus in olive green and black (other colors are special order).

Source: Klaus

Products: HAY Palissade outdoor Collection, pricebeschikbaar op aanvraag

Het toevoegen van plantenbakken aan elke buitenruimte helpt altijd de visuele interesse. Ik kwam deze onlangs bij de Canadese band tegen. Vanuit hun canvaslijn is de Lorna -urn gemaakt van terracotta en heeft een afwateringsgat op zijn plaats. Ik hou van het uiterlijk van het stuk, met zijn klassieke vorm en geometrische rand. Als je nog niet eerder in terracotta hebt geplant, zorg er dan voor dat je de planter van al het vuil leegmaakt als het weer koud wordt. Ik houd mijn potten de hele winter leeg en ondersteboven zodat ze niet barsten. Een beetje zorg en ze zullen je lang meegaan (en een geweldige oude patina krijgen).

Bron: Canadese band

Producten: Canvas Lorna Terra Cotta Urn, $ 50

Ik heb al een tijdje stocktanks op mijn radar, omdat ik nogal wat mensen heb zien omzetten in waterpartijen. Stocktanks zijn waterdichte gegalvaniseerde schepen die boeren gebruiken om water te leveren aan dieren – wie wist dat je ze bij Home Hardware kon bestellen? Degene die hier wordt getoond, verkoopt voor $ 240, maar is maar liefst 6-voet lang bij 2-voet breed bij 2-voet diep en komt in een paar maten-dat is veel planter voor uw geld. Met gaten die in de basis zijn geboord voor afvoer en een laag heldere metalen verf, zou deze container een fantastische planter het hele jaar door zijn!

Bron: Home Hardware

Producten: gegalvaniseerde ovale voorraadtank, beschikbaar in de winkel