Designs for patios and balconies are becoming ever more homely – indoor and outdoor are merging together.
Home living is yearning for the outdoors: never before has furniture for balconies, patios and gardens been so homely. Veritable outdoor lounges are becoming more common – with furniture and lighting that would often look splendid within the home. Floor-to-ceiling windows and open architecture enable classic indoor home living to merge with the ‘green room’ outdoors.
Home living design has become flexible: outdoors furniture is also perfect indoors and vice versa
In many cases, there is little difference between the indoor and outdoor designs. Synthetic lounge chairs and weatherproof sofas are taking over in the fresh air. You can no longer tell that they are designed for outdoor use: they look to be made from natural fibres, and even the waterproof covers have a pleasant feel. Designer furniture for outdoors can include comfy daybeds or complete upholstered suites. If you need extra seating, many of these new seats can also be moved into your lounge without looking like garden furniture. The ‘Fatboy’ bean bag has already made the successful transition from indoors to outdoors: the classic for the living room is now available in a weatherproof version.
New materials merge the indoors and the outdoors
Materials for the floor are also creating a bridge between the indoors and the outdoors. These include new, highly robust tiles with a natural stone or wooden appearance, which look great in the home or on the patio. This trend is supported by specially processed wooden materials such as wood polymer composites (WPC) or modern thermal woods, which are weatherproof and radiate warmth.
Outdoor lighting is carefully planned
Innovative lighting solutions also shape the trend for outdoor living. Convenient electronics can create a complex ambience around the house. Trees are immersed in mood lighting in the evenings to create a highly attractive scene. Purely functional balcony and patio lights are becoming a thing of the past. Pleasant atmospheres are also created by ethanol fireplaces, an ultra-modern element in interior design. Some models are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
The keys to the trend’s success
The design focuses on furniture for home living
The cover fabrics and materials are more varied than ever. Multimedia and light merge with outdoor objects
‘Nomad’ takes the lounge outdoors. The fabric covers are weatherproof and removable, the bodies lightweight and mobile. Photo © Gloster
The ‘Flux Chair’ comes folded like an envelope and transforms into a contemporary designer stool in an instant. Photo © Flux Furniture bv
Patio boards from the Classic range with a ribbed structure perfectly complement modern or classically designed outdoor areas. © Parador
The ‘Blob’ patio and garden lamp made from robust plastic is available in several shapes and colours. Photo © Foscarini
The portable ‘Tivoli Pal+’ digital radio is always there: in the garden, on the patio or in the kitchen. Tivoli Audio, LLC
Wind-protected, steel patio stove with three transparent sides and flexible positioning. Photo © artepuro by Weber Metallgestaltung GmbH
Board trend time: robust, groove-free design. Untreated or oiled with silver patina. For a homely feel outdoors. © Parador
Classic sofa shape, made from weatherproof polyethylene and illuminated from within: ‘Sirchester’ © Serralunga
Made from polyurethane and aluminium, the stackable ‘Barceloneta’ is based on the famous Bauhaus-style Barcelona chair. © Serralunga
