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Outdoor furniture is currently doing very well. The world’s most innovative furniture and accessory companies, those which create tendencies and surprise us with their original designs, have launched their best outdoor furniture collections this year, even sacrificing their indoor lines. Established designers have also shown a true commitment to this area, as such prestigious names such as Philippe Starck, Tord Boontje, Tokujin Yoshioka and Patricia Urquiola, among others, have launched their most spectacular designs in 2008 in the field of outdoor furniture. Specifically, the Spaniard Urquiola has designed three fantastic ranges of chairs for three of the most prestigious companies. For B&B Italia she has created Canasta, inspired by a conical shape and made from material similar to that of baskets, hence the name (basket in Spanish), which also resembles the traditional Vienna straw weaving, with its decorative geometric shapes. For Moroso, she has designed Tropicalia, which includes a chaise longue, chair, armchair and bed, and for Emu she has created Re-Trouvé. The three ranges are amongst the world’s most highly acclaimed designs of 2008. 

This year (in April), the Milan International Design Week, which reflects the international tendencies in furniture and accessory design each year revealed that outdoor furniture is quickly stealing the limelight from indoor furniture. In order to be up-to-date and obtain ideas from established designers, there is nothing better than seeing all of the designs launched at this fantastic international decoration and design showcase. You can also take a look at outdoor furniture specialists’ catalogues, which have incorporated the new tendencies and are at the cutting edge of this field, such as the Spaniards Kettal,  Bonestil, Gandía Blasco and Puntmobles, the Italian Paola Lenti and the German Dedon. All work with big designers, whose outdoor furniture has received awards at various international events. 

Environmentally-friendly design

The arrival of ecological design in outdoor collections is confirmed as the second tendency observed in Milan. All sorts of different plastics, produced by recycling waste or as a result of chemical industry research coexist with woods that have not been treated with toxic products, and with numerous natural and synthetic fibres which all respect the environment and contribute to sustainability. Some of the most successful pieces of outdoor furniture which are in the ecological range are: the Myto chair,  designed by the German Konstantin Grcic and produced by the Italian company Plank in collaboration with the German company Basf. Its success is due to the fact that it is very light, stackable, flexible and can be used either indoors or outside, but it is also made from a new, 100% recyclable plastic called Ultradur High Speed, which has been designed by Basf; and the RD-legs chair, by the British designer Richard G. Liddle, founder of the company Cohda which has produced this icon of ecodesign, made from waste plastics from household rubbish. 

Tips for getting it right 

Resistance and durability are two essential characteristics which outdoor furniture must have. Opt for good quality furniture and make your balcony, garden and porch an extension of the house. Day beds, pouffes, chaises longues, armchairs, island sofas, side tables… There is so much to choose from that you can make this area a very cosy place to spend the summer months. Opt for resistant, durable furniture that is easy to clean and maintain, elements which you do not need to worry about when it rains or is very hot. The price range is as wide as the range of options. You just have to adapt what is on offer to the space you have available and your budget. 

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