Patio Furniture

When it comes to flimsy plastic, even if they aren't vocal about it - beleive me, guests are certainly thinking it: "...with such a nice beach home, why would they buy such cheap furniture???..."



I'm totally with you on this one. If I'm paying $4 or $5k a week just for lodging alone, I don't want to sit on Walmart chairs. It does look chintzy. Seriously, it's the whole package. Now, that's easy for me to say because I don't own anything there. I say buy fewer chairs but have good quality.

Geez and I thought keeping my rates reasonable, and keeping my home maintained, my pool cleaned, and a welcome gift would be enough. Now I have to buy expensive plastic furniture to keep my guests coming back! Shoot!

Geez and I thought keeping my rates reasonable, and keeping my home maintained, my pool cleaned, and a welcome gift would be enough. Now I have to buy expensive plastic furniture to keep my guests coming back! Shoot!

It's all about the whole package. I'm just being honest. But If I'm paying $1,000/week, then there is a difference of what's expected. I rarely pay as much as I quoted above, but if I do, it's gotta be nice AND clean.

I can second the thumbs up for Westminsterteak.com. The company is great to work with, the furniture is wonderful, and the prices are by far the best I've found for the quality. We've had an extension table and eight arm chairs on our gulf front covered/uncovered porches for 2 1/2 years, only bringing them in when hurricanes threaten. We pressure washed them this year and they looks great. No need for cushions, either, as the chairs are very comfortable. No idea why your chairs are breaking, but that's not characteristic of all teak. Teak lasts forever if given minimal care. Well worth the initial investment.

So happy to hear a Costco is opening in Destin. When and where?

High-density polyethylene furniture is actually quite inexpensive if you calculate the years of use it provides - even without the matching chaise lounges.

So then what do you do for coordinating chaise longues?

When it comes to flimsy plastic, even if they aren't vocal about it - beleive me, guests are certainly thinking it: "...with such a nice beach home, why would they buy such cheap furniture???..."



I'm totally with you on this one. If I'm paying $4 or $5k a week just for lodging alone, I don't want to sit on Walmart chairs. It does look chintzy. Seriously, it's the whole package. Now, that's easy for me to say because I don't own anything there. I say buy fewer chairs but have good quality.

With the amenities and interior design of our home, no one has commented on the pool furniture. We've got some pretty snooty friends and relatives, and, trust me, they'd say something passive-aggressive if they thought the furniture looked bad.

When you have a big house with a pool and multiple porches, you can't get by with fewer chairs.

I'm just not going to spend $5000 a year on pool furniture unless I increase my rates. I don't think the Poly-Wood looks good, and it's not comfortable because it's very hard and inflexible. And the Sunbrella cushions don't last. We've tried that - each chaise cushion costs $125, and you're lucky if they're still usable after a month of rentals.

It's pretty disheartening to see your pool furniture damaged with burn marks from the grill. Is that going to encourage me to provide nicer accoutrements for our renters? I think not.

With the amenities and interior design of our home, no one has commented on the pool furniture. We've got some pretty snooty friends and relatives, and, trust me, they'd say something passive-aggressive if they thought the furniture looked bad.

When you have a big house with a pool and multiple porches, you can't get by with fewer chairs.

I'm just not going to spend $5000 a year on pool furniture unless I increase my rates. I don't think the Poly-Wood looks good, and it's not comfortable because it's very hard and inflexible. And the Sunbrella cushions don't last. We've tried that - each chaise cushion costs $125, and you're lucky if they're still usable after a month of rentals.

It's pretty disheartening to see your pool furniture damaged with burn marks from the grill. Is that going to encourage me to provide nicer accoutrements for our renters? I think not.

That's all I'm saying! If someone doesn't want to rent my house based on my patio furniture...........

It's all about the whole package. I'm just being honest. But If I'm paying $1,000/week, then there is a difference of what's expected. I rarely pay as much as I quoted above, but if I do, it's gotta be nice AND clean.

I'm just being honest too. I''ve never ever had a guest complain about my patio furniture. We strive to please! By the way clean is my thing, as well.

That's all I'm saying! If someone doesn't want to rent my house based on my patio furniture...........

I hear ya. If you're not an owner, you just don't understand how brutal the Florida weather is on pool and patio furniture. Like I've said before, our expensive patio furniture has not deteriorated in Georgia. Yet it only lasted a year at the beach.

So then what do you do for coordinating chaise longues?

Our deck dimensions accomodate a few Adirondacks along with the matching footstools and tables - no need for chaise lounges. Although they can be purchased HERE.

I do love Teak, but next to that - the Poly-wood looks much better than flimsy plastic Walmart furniture - IMO.

Also - I believe that I probably do a better job screening my guests than the average owner does, so we've never had any major problems - knock on "wood"
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Our deck dimensions accomodate a few Adirondacks along with the matching footstools and tables - no need for chaise lounges.

I do love Teak, but next to that - the Poly-wood looks much better than flimsy plastic Walmart furniture - IMO.

Also - I believe that I probably do a better job screening my guests than the average owner does, so we've never had any major problems - knock on "wood"
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I speak to all of my guest as well. They really don't inquire about my patio furniture. Knock on PVC! :funn:

Also - I believe that I probably do a better job screening my guests than the average owner does, so we've never had any major problems - knock on "wood"
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UP, I think this has the makings of an interesting post. I think there are a lot of owners on this board who would sincerely appreciate learning your techniques for properly screening guests. Care to give it a go?

UP, I think this has the makings of an interesting post. I think there are a lot of owners on this board who would sincerely appreciate learning your techniques for properly screening guests. Care to give it a go?

Sure! ;-) Actually Mermaid, my technique is simply basic common sense. However, I certainly am fascinated at the number of owners who post stories of guests who do damage their properties... and that makes me wonder about screening methods. I would love to hear any tips you have to offer.

Call it luck, but I have not had any instances of major damage or vandalism - for which I am very grateful. Of couse, there's always a first time I suppose. :roll:

I already said it was easy for me to say because I don't own and I'm not buying the furniture. I just gave my viewpoint. I do understand even tho I don't own there. We are always courteous & appreciative guests when we rent someone's home.

I thought the original concern of this thread was the horrendous expense vs. appearance vs. quality vs. inexpensive and that was what I responded to. And I would be sick if I owned and was constantly hemorrhaging $$$$ for eveything under the sun to keep my rental in tip notch condition for others' use. But it is the beach, after all. Property turns to crap in the salt and sea air.

Good luck to all who have to continue buying patio furniture. What I have at my home is from Wal Mart (we only get to use it for a few months a year after alll) and it wouldn't last 1 season at the beach.

I already said it was easy for me to say because I don't own and I'm not buying the furniture. I just gave my viewpoint. I do understand even tho I don't own there. We are always courteous & appreciative guests when we rent someone's home.

I thought the original concern of this thread was the horrendous expense vs. appearance vs. quality vs. inexpensive and that was what I responded to. And I would be sick if I owned and was constantly hemorrhaging $$$$ for eveything under the sun to keep my rental in tip notch condition for others' use. But it is the beach, after all. Property turns to crap in the salt and sea air.

Good luck to all who have to continue buying patio furniture. What I have at my home is from Wal Mart (we only get to use it for a few months a year after alll) and it wouldn't last 1 season at the beach.

The beauty of SoWal. Now all of our viewpoints have been expressed.

Actually Mermaid, I have no special technique just good old common sense. However, I certainly am fascinated at the number of owners who post stories of guests who do damage their properties...

Call it luck, but I have not had that experience, and am grateful that we've not had any major damage or vandalism. Of couse, there's always a first time I suppose.

In that case, I think you have been amazingly lucky. I have a friend who suffered with no bad renters, had many repeats that she treasured, and screened very thoroughly. And two weeks ago, bam! a bad apple popped up. It only ever takes one, no matter how many years you're in the game. So count your blessings.

In that case, I think you have been amazingly lucky. I have a friend who suffered with no bad renters, had many repeats that she treasured, and screened very thoroughly. And two weeks ago, bam! a bad apple popped up. It only ever takes one, no matter how many years you're in the game. So count your blessings.

Yes we have and we certainly do! :roll: