If watching the grass grow is your summer pastime of choice, you’ll want to spend your long days on the lawn. But before purchasing your front-row seat, keep a few things in mind. Unlike a patio or a porch, the yard has a tendency to be uneven, and wet weather can quickly muddy the area. Look for furniture that is low-slung and therefore less likely to tip.

Teak designs are ideal because they’re chunky enough to stand firmly on soggy ground. And the wood is unaffected by moisture and sunlight — it even repels bugs. But you don’t actually have to be seated to enjoy lawn furniture. When not in use, classic styles, like Adirondack and steamer chairs, serve as picturesque garden statuary.

Teak

Historically used for boatbuilding, teak is a naturally oily, water-resistant hardwood. That’s why outdoor furnishings made of teak are the epitome of laid-back and low-maintenance.

The hallmarks of quality teak furniture include plantation-grown wood (ask the retailer where the teak was harvested), no knots, and mortise-and-tenon construction (spot-check the joints — this type of joinery requires no hardware).

Basically, teak can be left alone, but cleaning with wood soap and a soft brush is a good idea. Left outside year-round, teak weathers to a silvery gray.

If going gray isn’t your style, apply a water-based teak protectant, like Golden Care’s solution ($30, www.koverroos.com). Don’t apply teak oil, as it could discolor the wood and attract mold.

The Goods Shown Here

Smith & Hawken Adirondack Chairs ($399 each, www.smithandhawken.com)
Ease into one of these seats made of plantation-grown teak and you’ll want to stay a while. The pitched back adds comfort; wide arms double as drink rests. Assembly required. Dimensions: 32 by 34 by 37 inches.

Frontgate Throw Pillows ($39 each, www.frontgate.com)
Soften the backs of outdoor chairs with these 20-inch square pillows. They’re made of Sunbrella and stuffed with a resilient polyester fill wrapped around a foam core. Available in eight colors.

Target Picnic Basket ($13, www.target.com for store locations)
This woven-PVC carryall also comes in pink-green.

Smith & Hawken Occasional Tables ($39 each or $99 for three, www.smithandhawken.com)
These folding teak tables are just right for spontaneous gatherings. Dimensions: 11 1/2 by 11 1/2 by 16 inches.

Lands’ End Blue Sky Paisley Cushion ($49, www.landsend.com)
Made of a synthetic fabric treated to resist UV rays and humidity, this pillow should last several seasons.

Caluco Dalia Steamer Chair (chair, $299; cushion, starting at $130: Victory Furniture, 800-953-2000)
This foldable teak design calls to mind the deck chairs on vintage ocean liners, but it will be equally at home docked in your yard. Dimensions: 60 by 28 by 36 inches. The Sunbrella cushion is sold separately, in more than 100 colors.