Kiwis are getting increasingly serious about furnishing exterior spaces. It fits with our fondness for the concept of indoor/outdoor flow and the fact that we like to spend time on decks and patios during summer.
Years ago, ‘outdoor furniture’ meant white wrought-iron table and chair sets or a wooden table on the back lawn with director chairs.
This market has come a long way — there are now many choices.
“ With multi-function living the new norm, shoppers are searching for pieces that will complement the overall feel of their home, ensuring seamless indoor-outdoor flow,” says Freedom Furniture buyer Myelz Moss.
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“When it comes to colour palettes for furniture, neutrals remain tried and true, offering a timeless base that can be brought to life each season with new cushions and throws in on-trend colours.”
Many buyers look for items that are organic and sustainable. They’re also inclined to choose shades that reference the colours of nature. Beige or bone hues in Sunbrella and Sunproof fabric are commonly used for cushions and squabs.
This revolutionary material is waterproof and dries quickly so there’s little risk of damage from mould or mildew. Better still, quick-dry foam lives up to its name.
For furniture, A-grade recycled teak, sturdy and weatherproof, is popular. Poland is a big supplier, much of it from decommissioned boats, but most teak furniture hails from Indonesia.
Other materials used in outdoor furniture include concrete, but because this is incredibly heavy, composites combining concrete with resin work better. They are easier to handle — and they’re not going to blow away in a storm.
Wicker has traditionally been an attractive option in outdoor furniture — think the patios of gracious English country manors.
But real wicker isn’t weatherproof, so manufacturers have come up with modern versions made from polyethylene over aluminium frames.
Richard Lee, from Design Concepts, says aluminium furniture has become so popular with his customers that it now makes up the majority of sales.
“This is a material that lasts and lasts. It doesn’t rust and it will still look good decades later,” he says.
“People do like teak too, but it definitely doesn’t weather as well as aluminium.”
Lee says that he has had customers who’ve spent $50,000 to equip their decks and patios, but most buyers spend under $10,000. “We’re really committed to quality so when those people leave the store, we know they are going to be happy with their purchases, and we offer a five- year guarantee.”
Freedom Furniture’s cascade armchairs bring a relaxed comfy vibe to summer.
In terms of sustainability, he says that some, although not all, of the cheaper furniture available in chain stores and hardware stores will fall apart after a year or two in the hot Kiwi sun and then go to landfill.
“If people can possibly afford it I’d recommend going for a quality product first-up, then you won’t need to replace it,” he says.
Planning an outdoor room can be fun and with all the accessories on sale these days, it’s possible to create a mood and effect that’s uniquely yours.
“The trick to nailing outdoor style is to find hero pieces you love and mix and match the rest to create a space that is exactly how you want it and, more importantly, one that functions exactly the way you need it to,” says Freedom Furniture’s Myelz Moss.
