Ten contemporary furniture designs for outdoor living
Spring is here so we've rounded up 10 outdoor furniture designs on Dezeen Showroom to take full advantage of the warmer weather.
It's the time of the year when outdoor entertaining starts to become possible for many in the northern hemisphere.
This year, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has put even more emphasis on outdoor socialising as people eagerly look for opportunities to get out of the house after months of lockdown.
With vaccines slowly being rolled out around the world, people are turning to gardens, terraces and balconies as safer spaces to meet up with people than indoors.
Whether it's al fresco dining, poolside lounging or outdoor entertaining, Dezeen Showroom features a wide array of outdoor furniture by leading designers including Stephen Burks, Patricia Urquiola, Piero Lissoni and Marcel Wanders.
From sofas and chairs designed with durable materials to withstand the elements year-round to UV-resistant and water-repellant furnishings, here's a selection of the latest outdoor furniture on Dezeen Showroom.
Dala outdoor seating by Stephen Burks for Dedon
Dala is a family of outdoor seating created by American designer Stephen Burks for outdoor furniture brand Dedon, which has been made using artisanal weaving techniques native to the Philippines.
The collection, which comprises club chairs, lounge chairs and sofas, is distinguished by the plush UV-resistant cushions and a powder-coated aluminium mesh frame that has been interlaced with strips of weatherproof synthetic fibre.
Also designed by Burks for Dedon is The Others lighting collection of woven outdoor lanterns, as well as KIDA, a hanging lounge chair shaped in a curved nest-like frame.
Garden Layers outdoor furnishings by Patricia Urquiola for Gan
Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola has created a range of outdoor furnishings informed by the culture and architecture of the Mughal Empire for outdoor furniture brand Gan.
Called Garden Layers, the collection – comprising daybeds, mattresses, rugs and cushions – is made using 100 per cent recycled PET, which has been selected for its ability to withstand the elements, as well as being better for the environment.
Find out more about Garden Layers ›
Levante relaxing collection by Piero Lissoni for Roda
Outdoor furniture brand Roda worked with Italian architect Piero Lissoni to create the Levante relaxing collection, which consists of outdoor seating furniture made from teak, a tropical hardwood chosen for its durability in outdoor settings.
The range includes a lounge chair and chaise-longue, both of which are held together by stainless steel joints that allow for them to be compactly folded and stored away when not in use.
Also designed by Lissoni for Roda is a dining collection comprising chairs and a matching table intended for al fresco dining, which forms part of the wider Levante range.
Find out more about Levante relaxing collection ›
Luna outdoor chair by Charles Wilson for King
Luna is an outdoor chair distinguished by its organically-shaped bucket seat created by Charles Wilson for Australian furniture brand King.
Each chair is composed of a delicate-looking steel mesh that forms the seat, which is supported by a precision-welded bent steel frame.
The chairs, which are intended for use both indoors and outdoors, can be powder-coated in an array of earthy colours including salt, rock, eucalyptus or blush.
Panarea outdoor chairs by CMP Design for Pedrali
Panarea is a range of outdoor seating including armchairs and lounge chairs designed for al fresco dining created by design studio CMP Design for Italian brand Pedrali.
The chairs are characterised by their wide cushioned seats and geometric-patterned backrests, which are hand-woven using polypropylene cord.
Hopper picnic table by Dirk Wynants for Extremis
Flemish designer Dirk Wynants has created an aluminium picnic table called Hopper for Belgian furniture makers Extremis.
The table is constructed from a single continuous piece of aluminum that forms the benches and tabletop. At the end of each bench, the table legs dip down into a V shape to help users gain easy access to the benches.
Suave outdoor furniture by Marcel Wanders for Vondom
Design brand Vondom collaborated with Dutch designer Marcel Wanders to create a series of outdoor furniture including modular sofas, lounge chairs, pouffes, coffee tables and ornamental planters.
Called Suave, the seating can be upholstered in a selection of cosy and soft fabrics that are eligible for both indoor and outdoor use. The modular segments and various sizes of the sofa allow the range to be configured into multiple arrangements to suit any space.
Bönan sofa by Studio Norrlandet for Skargaarden
Bönan is a modular sofa system designed to stay outdoors throughout the year, created by the founders of Swedish brand Skargaarden for their own home.
The sofa is upholstered in waterproof fabric that comes in light or dark grey, while the slender frame is made from aluminium.
The versatile range can be configured into different arrangements thanks to its modular design and can be ordered with additional elements such as side tables, ottomans and a corner module.
Ponza outdoor rug by Paolo Zani for Warli
Paolo Zani has created Ponza for Italian brand Warli. The outdoor rug is made from synthetic weatherproof yarn that has been hand-knotted using weaving techniques from the Caucasus and Persia.
The rugs feature blocks of melange colour including combinations of grey, pink, brown and cream or grey, white, soil and dark grey.
Each rug is both UV resistant and water repellent and can be given optional stain-proof and anti-mould treatments.
Rapson outdoor rocking chair by Loll Designs
Released by American brand Loll Designs, the Rapson outdoor rocking chair is an updated version of Modernist architect Ralph Rapson's 1939 Rapid Rocker chair.
The patio chair, which is made for the circular economy, is constructed from recycled milk jugs and is itself recyclable, with its components being easily removable and replaceable.
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