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Current outdoor furniture trends

1 Sept 2020

Open air living room: 2020 furniture by Cane-line, © Cane-Line

Open air living room: 2020 furniture by Cane-line, © Cane-Line

As the largest garden trade fair in the world, spoga+gafa always keeps a close eye on new outdoor trends. We are taking a look at the current outdoor furniture design.

Due to the corona pandemic, spoga+gafa will be suspended in 2020 and will take place once next year from 30 May to 1 June. From 2022 onwards, the garden trade fair is then planned for mid and late June. We can look forward to the next event with trepidation, because the significance of gardens particularly increases in times of crisis. One's own piece of green takes on even more importance as a place of retreat and tranquility. Hence, the present Corona era offers the fitting occasion to take a look at the latest outdoor furnishing trends.

Second living room in the open air

The more time people spend at home, the more their gardens become extended living space. The development towards even more homely outdoor areas is thus ongoing and is indeed intensifying further. Many new pieces of garden furniture would also look great indoors. With their inviting design they combine the comfort of indoors with the durability for outdoors - weatherproof upholstery and textiles make this possible. Armchairs and sofas are conquering more and more gardens and terraces with their relaxing seating ensembles. Carpets, cushions and even chandeliers are creating a more cosy flair outside.

Design for the climate protection

In addition to overcoming the Corona pandemic, climate protection is the most urgent task in shaping the future. Sustainable solutions are thus becoming more and more important for the outdoor areas. Also for climate change reasons, the current products are extremely weatherproof and thus more durable thanks to innovative materials. Furthermore, today, resource-saving aspects are frequently taken into account when manufacturing furniture. Recycled metals as well as used woods from fishing boats are implemented for new items of furniture. Today, garden stools or outdoor carpets often contain plastic from the oceans and from PET bottles. Furthermore, in the case of wood, attention is paid that it originates from certified forests.

For mixing and matching: SI-SI chair family by Scab Design (design: Meneghello Paolelli Associati), © Scab Design

For mixing and matching: SI-SI chair family by Scab Design (design: Meneghello Paolelli Associati), © Scab Design

Less with added value

More conscious lifestyles are promoting the desire for authentic materials and simple design. The designers of garden furniture are nowadays often letting themselves be inspired by organic shapes and colours from the world of nature. Materials like wood, rattan or bamboo establish a connection to the natural environment of the garden. Furthermore, the current collections follow the motto "less is more". Reduced design stands for refrain and linearity here. Filigree tables and chairs are based on the new lean ideology just as much as minimalistically shaped sun beds and armchairs. Bright colours that are becoming more and more popular alongside classic outdoor shades like grey and brown add a casual touch.

Now things are getting personal

The garden belongs to the private sphere and should also reflect this. Correspondingly, personal preferences play a major role in outdoor design. Modular furniture series make manifold combinations possible. Configurable table systems and sofas can be adapted to suit different needs. Fresh colour ranges for furniture and sunshades invite the garden owners to mix and match. Beyond this, different colours or sizes for a model can be combined, which lends the design a playful aspect. In this way, outdoor areas with a very individual touch are created.

Minimalistic: Riviera Lounge by Skagerak (design: Povl B. Eskildsen), © Skagerak

Minimalistic: Riviera Lounge by Skagerak (design: Povl B. Eskildsen), © Skagerak

The garden as a comfort zone

People, who spend their vacation in their own garden, want it to be comfortable. Furnishing the garden and terrace is thus a question of comfort nowadays. Inviting lounge sofas or relaxation islands offer the perfect basis for relaxing hours in the open air. Lightweight sunbeds, bean bags or pouffées made of waterproof textiles also offer diverse options for relaxing. What's more, comfortable models such as the classic wing chair, rocking chairs or daybeds are experiencing a renaissance for outside. The coming spoga+gafa will show additional ways of how to design the garden as an extension of the home. Here, exhibitors from all over the globe will be presenting the complete spectrum of new garden products and trends - in a diversity that is unique worldwide.

Author: Leif Hallerbach

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