MATERIAL WORLD
Pensacola armchair
Dh995, Homes R Us
Like most things in life, there’s no one-sizefits-all material when it comes to outdoor furniture. What it boils down to is your personal taste and the nature of the space you’re working with. The rule of thumb that you should follow is durability, says Amit of 2XL. And, luckily for discerning homeowners, a wide range of materials make that cut – from futuristic resin and industrial-style metal, to old-school wood and wicker furniture. For those who’d like to get creative, synthetic resin and aluminum furniture are great choices, says Ace’s Lynn. ‘Aluminum doesn’t dry out and crack like wood and synthetic resin, and can be woven into a darker wicker style for classic looking furniture,’ she adds. Desert River’s Claudia is an advocate of metal’s mettle, while Home and Soul Co-founder Carol Sukkar weighs in on rattan furniture’s resistance to humidity and insects. She’s also sold on how ‘its bright earthy colour conveys the feeling of a tropical paradise.’ However, the timelessness and ability of wood to mix seamlessly with other materials put it at the top of the running for Philipp Selva: ‘You can pair it up with leather, printed or plain fabric in the form of cushions.’
For added oomph, Chris from Aura, vouches for mixing a little stone and marble into your outdoor space. ‘It sets the tone for the cooler months ahead and creates a feeling of instant serenity.’
What makes great material sing are designs that provide freedom of layout, says Western Furniture’s senior general manager Gayatri Dongre. ‘Choose furniture that can be easily moved, such as sectionals and modular pieces.’
The world is your oyster when it comes to garden accessories. Just give a wide berth to products that can inhibit movement or are bulky and difficult to maintain, says 2XL’s Amit.
Outdoor rugs are a trend that finds favour with both Lynn from Ace and Claudia from Desert River. It’s a clever way to take the indoors outdoors, according to Claudia. Lynn endorses it for its ability to cover up bad flooring in your patio or balcony. Both, however, concur that rugs are a great way to inject colour and pattern into outdoor spaces. Water features and swings are other accessories that make worthwhile investments, say the experts. Pod swings that easily fit into tiny spaces are a match made in heaven for balconies. Larger shaded swings are perfect for spacious patios and backyards. For the ultimate lounge feel, Kathryn suggests opting for rocking chairs, bean bags and hammocks.
And for something eclectic, rustic ceramic pots or sleek metal planters make great garden ornaments. ‘You can think out-of-the-box and use traditional dining plates as decorative wall hangings,’ says Maiolica’s Arianna Posenato. Balconies and terraces that are short on space can still have big gardenesque personalities with artificial green wall panels and stylish planters filled with ferns and succulents, such as cacti. These, Lynn points out, can create interesting compositions in limited spaces.