Insider’s take on outdoor furniture
Value for money, durability, and low maintenance the three ‘must-haves’
Is your property’s outdoor area living up to guest expectations? The pandemic has us all yearning for a change of scenery, when we can’t go far from home, we at least want to experience a lap of alfresco luxury life on our deck or balcony!
When it comes to your accommodation’s outdoor spaces the pandemic also has your guests wanting more comfort and luxury than ever before. Therefore, your outdoor furniture should reflect the luxury vacation ‘bask and breeze’ vibe they seek.
For the inside take on outdoor furniture AccomNews contacted some of the industry’s top outdoor furniture advisers and designers.
Anyone who has tried to update their outdoor furniture lately will be aware of supply issues and delivery delays. Jason Condon, Proprietor, Daydream Leisure wants to ensure readers are prepared.
He says: “Right now, and for the foreseeable future, supply is restricted and protracted, if you are planning to upgrade your furnishings plan ahead to ensure you get what you want and need.”
On the latest design trends heading into 2022, he reveals that “resin, polypropylene or aluminium are the materials of choice”.
But he says you should always make purchasing decisions based on “value for money, durability, and low maintenance.
We asked how do you achieve longevity and durability alongside a luxurious and stylish finish? He explains: “Salt, UV and rain are harsh on any furnishings, and most accommodations have these elements in spades. Therefore, my advice is don’t buy bottom shelf, instead, buy from a company with a commercial focus and experience and have a cleaning programme in place. If you are using cushions to achieve the look and style you want, try to have them undercover. If they are outside, have a plan in place for inclement weather.”
According to Jason current colour and pattern trends for outdoor areas are white, anthracite or taupe, sometimes with a pop of colour.
On the best materials, coatings, and cover options he says: “The best value for money, low maintenance frame option at present is resin or polypropylene, aluminium is not far behind but avoid cast aluminium. Textilene is still the material of choice for slings but there are different qualities.
“Cushions should be a high-grade synthetic canvas, but you also need to be aware of the zips, fill and inner linings. Make sure replacements can be procured.”
What are Jason’s tips for those on a limited budget? “It’s the simple things such as tensioning fasteners or giving things a good clean. If your current furnishings are shabby and beyond that then it may be time to replace them. However, I would suggest NOT going for the cheapest option if you are in a commercial environment.”
What does Belinda Price Product Director, Materialised want readers to know most about outdoor furniture?
“If the correct materials are used and maintained properly, you will get many years of comfort and pleasure from them.”
On key purchasing considerations, she says: “Consider what is low maintenance, easy to keep clean and durable. Not all outdoor fabrics are created equally. Make sure the fabric is specifically designed for outdoor application.
There are a few fibre types to look out for that are designed specifically for outdoor use. Solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella) and solution-dyed polyolefin both give good UV outcomes. Some fabrics have a fully waterproof barrier as opposed to only a water repellent finish, so make sure you check the specification closely or ask your supplier.
Also, make sure you check the abrasion rate on the fabric. There are two standard tests for woven upholstery abrasion resistance, also known as the rub rate: Martindale and Wyzenbeek. Both involve testing equipment that simulates the natural wear of a seat cover, culminating in a number of ‘rubs.’ The higher the number, the more resistant the material is to abrasion.
“If you are creating all the cushions and bolsters, then using the correct foam is essential. Once you are certain you are working with a quality outdoor fabric and foam, consider the type of use for the outdoor furniture being used.
Make sensible choices for colour or pattern by using darker or more forgiving fabric for the seating element where there is the potential of staining.”
We asked, how do you get longevity, durability and a luxurious, stylish finish? She says: “Work with a company that has done the hard work for you by selecting materials and collections that check all the boxes for quality, durability, and style.”
What colours and patterns are on trend for outdoor areas in the sector? “This is a tough question because usually, the location of the project or interior designer’s brief determines the style and feel of the colours and patterns used. Anything goes, from earthy plains to dramatic bold prints! However, we are seeing lots of orders for colour and pattern, and it is helpful to look at seasonal tones and collections that have a mixture of pattern and texture that all work well beautifully.”
Belinda’s tips for those on a limited budget: “A great way to revamp is to simply refresh your cushions. Re-cover your old ones as long as the inserts are still in good condition.”
The message from Georgina Diamantis from JND Outdoor Furniture is, “look after your outdoor furniture and it will love you for it.
She states: “Your outdoor facade is your customer’s first introduction to your establishment, so why not add colours and tones to enhance your business’s style and character.”
On the latest design trends for outdoor furniture heading into 2022, she says: “It’s definitely Tasmanian Oak timber, it has beautiful blonde tones, with a white frame, it has a contemporary fresh vibe. A natural timber look for tabletops is also a very popular choice, adding a pop of colour using bright stackable chairs.”
According to Georgina the key purchasing considerations for outdoor furnishings should be “furniture, which is easy to move around, and lockable castor wheels are a must-have for any establishment. Also, consider stackable chairs that are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and are UV stabilized”
We asked how do you get longevity and durability and ensure a luxurious and stylish finish? She said: “For outdoor settings, hardwood timbers are a good option as well as ‘Mod’ wood which is a low maintenance composite timber. For indoor and outdoor use, I suggest molded tabletops and a wear-resistant surface that is easy to clean and heat resistant. I highly recommend ‘Made in Australia’ or ‘Made in Europe’ products for longevity and durability.”
She reveals that the colour and pattern trend she has seen most recently is “white with oak timber”. Her suggestions for the best materials, coatings and cover options are “weather resistant Aluminium and the UV resistant and durable Seista which is made in Europe”.
Georgina’s tips for those properties on a limited budget:
“Natural timber can always do with another coat of decking oil, and you can add some greenery to brighten up your outdoor space. Adding fairy lights is a simple way to make your space pretty in the evening too.”
The message from Dean Gesterkamp from Kudos Outdoor Furniture, Australia is to make sure your regular and planned outdoor furniture upgrades are included in your five-year budget plan.
He advises: “Last minute purchases are always rushed and can be hit and miss, so take your time and explore for the best deals and products that suit your property and guests. Getting value for your money should be the key consideration, alongside getting a product warrantee and ensuring the longevity of materials.”
He explains that longevity and durability in outdoor furnishings can be achieved with new polypropylene products and by using the synthetic weave fibre material, Textylene. He says teak and synthetic rattan also perform well in hospitality environments but may not be as durable.
He suggests aiming for a five-year upgrade of your outdoor furniture and to consider updating the style.
On current trends, he recommends using light colours and patterns.
He says: “Lighter colours are best suited to outdoors and patterns will hide inevitable stains. The likes of Warwick and Sunbrella offer plenty of choices.”
Finally, his tip for those properties on a limited budget is to replace or add cushions and sunbed mattresses. He adds: “These items will instantly modernise and inject colour to your outdoor space. Remember that simply adding pot plants or planting border shrubs will instantly transform a space.
Most importantly, don’t forget to add shade!
Mandy has over 17 years of accommodation and tourism industry writing experience and is Editor of AccomNews & Resort News, Publisher of SchoolNews & Director of Multimedia Pty Ltd. She is a retired registered nurse with a 25-year NHS career that followed a few unforgettable years in hotel housekeeping.
