Outdoor furniture and textiles: choose what you’ll actually maintain

Furniture is part of the design. A few practical guidelines:

• choose outdoor fabrics designed for sun exposure and easy cleaning

• avoid materials that rust quickly in coastal air

• plan storage (or covers) so cushions don’t live outside during storms

• use rugs and textiles to add warmth without adding hard-to-clean surfaces

The best outdoor space feels like an interior room—but one that can handle real life.