Your Ultimate Guide To Outdoor Furniture For This Summer
Shopping
A Yarraville Family House That Says ‘The More The Merrier’ Tait Linear Table, Linear Bench Seat, Tidal Dining Chair, Volley Lounger, and Nano Coffee Table. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Annie Portelli.
Before + After: An Outdoor Entertaining Area Transformed With 5 Tips. Tokarina outdoor table, Tokarina outdoor bench and Tokarina outdoor dining chair, all from Koala. Sundial umbrella with straight valance in sage from Basil Bangs. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial Styling – Anne Portelli.
Dining Settings
Nothing beats dinner outside on a summer evening. When looking for an outdoor dining set-up, you want to ensure it’s durable and low-maintenance — and of course it needs to look the part!
Whilst traditional timber will always have a place, there’s been a definitive upswing in outdoor pieces drenched in colour (and we’re here for it!).
Look to Koala’s Tokarina outdoor range for soft sage and butter yellow outdoor dining chairs, tables and benches, which pair beautifully with Basil Bangs’ Sundial+ umbrella in similar pastel shades.
For those who prefer a more rosy palette, Fenton & Fenton’s Sundowner dining table and Slim dining chair will have you wanting to sip rosés all summer long.
Trace sofa and armchair. Image courtesy of Tait.
Outdoor Sofas + Loungers
When it comes to lounging outdoors, comfort is key.
But we also love pieces that are multi-functional. Cult’s Riviera lounge is the perfect example, instead of expanding length ways like a traditional sun lounger, its expansion is in its width allowing it to serve as a chair and table, a sofa or a sun bed.
King Living’s Plateau outdoor sofa and sun lounge serves a similar function, with multi-directional seating and modular flexibility to accommodate entertaining and lounging alike. The Omni Positional Backrests in the middle of the sofa also allow for dual seating — perfect for parties.
For those pieces that offer the ultimate comfort, check out ELLISON STUDIOS. Alva outdoor 2 seat sofa and Tait’s Trace sofa, both of which bring chic indoor style to the outdoors.
Small Spaces
Even small outdoor spaces can go big with outdoor entertaining, you just need the right pieces!
Outdoor chairs like Tait’s Swing chair, Trit House’s Fermob Bistro metal chair, Thonet’s Tolix patio armchair and Cult’s Palissade lounge chair have a lightweight and streamlined design that allow the eye (and light) to move through, adding to the illusion of space.
Bean bags are another great option for smaller spaces as they’re so versatile and can be moved around easily. We’re particularly drawn to Basil Bangs’ bean bag with its L-shaped form for ultimate relaxation.
Accessories
No space is complete without accessories — this goes for outdoor areas too.
For evenings outdoors, create some soft ambient light with We Ponder’s Dawn short exterior sconces, which cast a gentle light against the walls of your home from its eye-catching ceramic silhouette. Cult’s Obello portable table lamp is another great and more versatile option, with its iconic mushroom shape and rechargeable capabilities.
Finish off big and small spaces alike with side tables that not only look great, but also provide easy perches for beverages, books and sunscreen. For something more sculptural, look to Cult’s Bowler side table, and for a pop of colour, Fearon’s Chub table is an instant winner.
Want to see more? Visit The Design Directory to discover our top picks in furniture, lighting, rugs, cabinetry, handles and more!