Buyer’s Guide
Outdoor furniture.
With our enviable climate, it’s little surprise that Australians love spending time outside. “We use our outdoor spaces all year round – gathering by a barbecue, reading on loungers or lazing on day beds in summer, and huddling around a fire pit with a glass of red wine in winter,” says Jen Stumbles, owner of Eco Outdoor. As such, the outdoor furniture we choose really needs to deliver.
“In Australia, we are presented with salty sea air, searing heat and freezing temperatures, so it’s important to select pieces made from quality, sustainable materials that will retain their beauty over time,” says Gillianne Griffiths, interior designer and creative director of Melbourne firm Studio Griffiths.
When it comes to seating, the latest styles are all about comfort. “We’re seeing relaxed, generous and organic pieces coming through, which invite you to sink into them,” says Susan Tait, creative director of Tait. Unexpected detailing adds to the appeal; rather than hard or fully upholstered backrests, these pieces feature woven belting or strapping that gives the furniture a wonderful visual lightness.
A sense of honesty and simplicity in design has become more apparent, notes Tait. “Outdoor furniture is being pared back to basics, with more focus given to raw materials. There’s real attention to detail in the craftsmanship, with features such as exposed-seam stitching, stunning timber joinery and materials that age gracefully.”
With this relaxed aesthetic comes an acceptance – and an appreciation – of the effects of time and weather, says Fiona Lyda, managing director of Sydney retailer Spence & Lyda. “Progressive exteriors are embracing the notion that weathering occurs, especially in Australia, and are allowing for, and even encouraging, it.”
With many of us swapping backyards for balconies and courtyards, we’re also seeing the emergence of compact pieces characterised by sleek, contemporary lines and lightweight materials. These pieces tend to be visually quite minimal, low-maintenance and versatile. Key materials to look out for include durable and lightweight aluminium; soft-touch, easy-care polyurethane; and Fenix, a high-tech acrylic-resin material.
Designers are adding impact to small-space pieces by combining unexpected materials, such as timber with powdercoated aluminium, or using luxurious surfaces you’d normally expect to find indoors, including resin, marble and decorative concrete forms.
Meanwhile, plasticky outdoor fabric has also had a major upgrade, says David Hartikainen, NSW showroom manager at Space. “From B&B Italia, for example, you can now choose from luxe velvets and woven and textured fabrics in all manner of subtle colours and patterns, all designed for outdoor use.”
When selecting furniture, think first about where and how it will be used.
In a small space, rather than having separate dining and lounge settings, you might create one sociable setting with dual-purpose pieces, such as a deep lounge, an oversized low table and floor cushions or stump stools. The large coffee table makes the perfect dining table for casual meals, and the stump stools can double as side tables.
When it comes to materials, consider your local climate. “In a coastal area where wind, salt and sun are factors, opt for tough, rust-resistant materials, such as stainless and powdercoated steel,” says Stumbles. “Teak is another good choice and will suit a coastal aesthetic.”
As always, it pays to be smart about where you splurge and where you save. “What you lounge on is your big-ticket item, because that is where all your guests will gravitate to,” says Griffiths. “You can then save money on affordable side tables, stackable chairs and changeable accessories.”