When we bought our newly constructed home four years ago one of the major attractions to this particular house was the large covered front porch that extends across the full house width of 40′.  It looked perfect for lazy afternoons spent sipping lemonade or tea, and with the pleasant view we were sure we would spend a lot of time there.  We had only one problem: the only outdoor chairs we owned were plastic molded Adirondack style chairs that had long since grown mildew from seasons spent in our previous home’s backyard.  We wanted something that looked nicer and felt better to sit on.  We wanted furniture that would entice us to sit a spell, to relax in the shade of the porch and have long conversations with friends.  Thus began The Great Porch Furniture Hunt of 2004.

We knew we wanted furniture with a classic look and I was certain that I wanted my chairs to have cushions.  We also needed to keep the price below $500.00, which we hoped would be enough to purchase two nice chairs and an end table.  Keeping those criteria in mind we set out to shop, but we just could not find the right combination of size, comfort, and classic appeal to suit our needs.  The sets we did like were far beyond the reach of our humble budget; we were determined not to spend more because as new home owners we had a myriad of other projects to accomplish with the rest of our expendable income.

Finally, nearly a month into our search, we landed at the king of the Big Box Stores: Wal Mart.  And much to our surprise, there we found an attractive set of garden furniture for a really decent price: The Better Homes and Gardens Sunbridge 4-Piece Furniture Set for $397.00

As Advertised on WalMart.com:

The Sunbridge Conversation set from Better Homes and Gardens includes intimate seating for entertaining outdoors. Includes two toss pillows. Fully assembled set requires a space of 8′ W x 11′ D.

Oval Coffee Table:

• Hand-woven all-weather wicker weave over rust-resistant powder-coated steel frame
• Clean with soft cloth, mild detergent and warm water; buff dry with lint-free cloth
• Measures: 23″ W x 18-1/2″ H

Chairs and Loveseat:

• Hand-woven all-weather wicker weave over rust-resistant powder-coated steel frame
• Each chair supports one person up to 225-lbs.; loveseat up to 450-lbs. total
• Clean with slightly damp cloth and dry completely; no bleach or solvents
• Arm Chair 29-1/2″ W x 20-1/2″ D x 37″ H; Loveseat 52-1/2″ W x 21″ D x 37-1/2″ H

Fabric, Cushions and Toss Pillows:

• Polyester with polyester fiber filling
• Cushions attach to seat with loops
• Mildew, water and stain-resistant
• Withstands freezing temperatures
• Clean with mild soap and water; rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove soap; allow to air dry completely; no bleach or solvents
• Back cushions 4-1/2″ thick back; seat cushions 5-1/2″ thick

Manufacturer’s Information:

• Furniture will arrive in one box
• Warranties: Table includes manufacturer’s 3-year limited warranty on frame, 1-year limited warranty on weave and 1-year limited warranty on top; Chairs include manufacturer’s 3-year limited warranty on frame and 1-year limited warranty on weave; Fabric, cushions and pillows include manufacturer’s 1-year limited warranty

Why We Like It

As soon as I sat on this furniture I knew I could love it.  Beyond looking good, it is incredibly comfortable.  At 5′4″ I am not considered a tall person and I often have trouble finding chairs that allow me to sit in an ergonomically correct posture, otherwise described as having my feet touch the floor.  The Better Homes and Gardens set allows me to sit properly, with my feet flat on the floor and my lower back against the back of the chair.  It is a simple thing, but one that matters to me.  When I am relaxing I like to sit with my legs crossed on the seat of my chair (think yoga style) and the ample depth and width of these chairs allows me to sit that way comfortably.

The fabric of the cushions stands up to it’s promise of being mildew, stain, and water resistant.  Our cushions have withstood nearly four years of spills, dew, rain, snow, sleet and even hail, yet they have no water marks or discoloration.  When I have spilled coffee on them it beads and brushes off with ease.  The fabric is smooth to the touch, not rough, and it does not stick to your bare legs in the hot summer months.  The “wicker” part of the chair, actually made of tiny plastic tubing, looks as good now as the day we bought the set.  It is easily cleaned (see above for manufacturer’s directions); we simply drag it onto the driveway to hose it off and then let it air dry.  We have also hosed off the cushions and allowed then to air dry after the particularly bad pollen season of spring in NY, and though they take a day or two to dry completely they maintain their shape and water/mildew/stain resistance even after a good dousing.

The pillows have ties that attach them to the chairs.  This is not a feature I would normally give much thought to, but we have had a few really severe thunderstorms since we bought our house, with gusts of wind that took down huge trees.  Those pillows remained tied to their respective chairs and were not lost in the storm, although the chairs themselves did move around a bit in the heavy wind.

The glass-topped table is big enough to hold a tray of afternoon snacks, a pot of tea, and a vase of flowers, making it the perfect accompaniment to the chairs and love seat for a small gathering of friends.  The full-sized shelf beneath the glass top is handy for storing magazines and books out of the way.

Out Of The Box

As stated in the above spec sheet, the furniture comes in one big box.  This was problematic for us at first, as the box did not fit in the back of the vehicle we owned at the time: a Dodge Caravan with the seats taken out, which is not exactly a small compartment area.  The Wal Mart employee helping us that day suggested we take the individual pieces out of the box and pack them into the van, which worked brilliantly.  He even took the box and threw it away for us.  The cushions were individually wrapped in plastic as were the wicker chairs and table base.  The glass top to the table was wrapped in bubble wrap and then sandwiched between sheets of cardboard.

Putting the set together was simple: the chairs and love seat were complete in the box, and the table needed only a few screws to attach the legs.  The whole assembly took less than twenty minutes, and most of that time was spent unwinding the plastic wrapping from the wicker portions.  The seat cushions all attach to their respective chairs by simple ties, as do the pillows, and the glass top of the table sets in a groove and is pillowed by clear rubber slip-resistant pads.

Performance

Chairs and tables don’t have to do much of anything to perform, but there are a few things in this area to consider.  The cushions have held up very well during four years worth of use.  They have kept their shape, the fabric has not faded or ripped, and they are still very comfortable.  The frames of the chairs and table are still sturdy and level, despite being moved around frequently and being banged a bit by my two active toddlers.  The wicker parts have not dried out, cracked, lost their color, or come unraveled.  The glass table top has withstood falling objects without shattering.  All in all I would say that the Better Homes and Gardens Sunbridge Set is well built, rugged, and stylish, even after years of use.

Drawbacks

The only things that bug me about this set have more to do with our weather in upstate NY than with the set itself.  We have a period of pollen in the spring that literally coats surfaces in yellow dust, sometimes up a quarter of an inch thick.  The woven nature of wicker means there are tiny nooks and crannies that hold pollen, causing me to have to hose off the furniture, including the cushions, a few times during this problematic few weeks.  Again, not a problem with the performance of the furniture itself, but a pain nonetheless.  The glass topped table shows every speck of dust, dirt, and pollen all of the time, but using a tablecloth makes clean-up easier and the overall cleanliness of the glass not as much of a concern since it is covered.  I would have been more than happy with a wicker top for the table, but that’s just my preference.

Happier Than I Thought I Would Be

I will admit that when we bought this set of furniture I thought it would need to be replaced within a year or two, since many items sold by Wal Mart are purposely produced to be semi-disposable.  I was entirely surprised when the furniture held up well to moderate use, year-long exposure to the elements, and several washings per year.  I am thrilled with this furniture, and I think we might buy the matching dining set for our backyard deck this summer.

Those looking for replacement cushions for the Sunbridge 4 Peice Furniture Set should consider the Palm Valley Replacement Cushion Set (be sure to measure before purchasing). Also available from Wal-Mart are the Sunbridge Stripe Bench Cushion, Sunbridge Wicker Settee, and Sunbridge Outdoor Cushions, Set of 2.