As more and more of us are enjoying our outdoor spaces, it’s more popular than ever to extend the inside of our homes into our gardens. Garden furniture in 2022 is a key feature and comes in many forms and materials. This guide will describe the key garden furniture trends in 2022. It will also describe each of the most popular designs of garden furniture and the benefits of different materials.
Key Garden furniture trends
Now that the Covid restrictions have been lifted, we are able to enjoy the company of family and friends in our homes and gardens. A large, comfortable suite of furniture will provide ample seating and storage and enable everyone to sit, relax and enjoy a barbecue and a few drinks. Perhaps you would like to take your meals outside in the garden and enjoy an alfresco breakfast or lunch. Evening meals can also be magical with the addition of solar lights and a firepit. Tables with built-in firepits add a real ‘wow factor’ with glamour and convenience.
With many people working from home, quality garden furniture can supply the choice of working outdoors. You will be able to enjoy your beautiful garden without many of the distractions that can arise from working indoors.
Don’t forget storage – investing in a good quality storage box that matches your furniture will mean that you won’t have an unsightly box spoiling the look of your new garden set. You will have a place to conveniently store any cushions, throws, lamps, or other accessories to dress the space for parties and get-togethers.
What to remember when buying garden furniture in 2022
Quality garden furniture is an investment, so it’s important to bear the following considerations in mind when looking to follow garden trends:
- When it comes to placing your garden furniture, think about where the sun lands on your garden at different times of the day, and whether you will want to sit in the sunshine, or if you’d prefer to relax in the shade.
- It’s also worth considering why you want the furniture – is it to create a space for socialising and holding parties, or just an intimate space for you and your significant other to relax?
- Measure your space. You want to allow enough seating for everyone to enjoy themselves, but you will also need to think about storage, and space for people to be able to move around the furniture. You may also want to include accessories such as lanterns, planters or a fire pit.
- Remember that although the furniture can be kept outside, cushions and other accessories may not. Investing in good storage is therefore very important.
Why invest in quality garden furniture?
- You can create a space that is relaxing and enjoyable. Good quality furniture will look good and carry on looking good for a long time. It will encourage you to enjoy your outside space and spend time in the fresh air, enjoying the sunshine and listening to the birds.
- Good quality furniture will be better able to withstand the elements and will last longer. Whilst premium quality is more expensive in the short term, in the long term, you will save money as it won’t need replacing for a much longer time. You will also save time and effort as it will require less maintenance.
- Flexibility – good quality furniture will better withstand being moved about, and many items (such as sun loungers) will be supplied with castors. You can move your furniture around the garden, so you can enjoy different aspects of it at different times of the year, or simply follow the sunshine (or the shade).
- It is more comfortable – good quality furniture is usually supplied with good quality cushions and accessories, which are also weatherproof and built to last. Remember to make sure you have somewhere to store your accessories. Your garden furniture should be comfortable enough to enjoy sitting on it for extended periods, just as your sofa should be.
Seating designs
There are different seating designs to fulfil all your socialising needs. If you are looking for a romantic table for two, then our delightful bistro sets will fit the bill, or if you are looking for a single seat that will swing, or you want a recliner for the ultimate in relaxation, we’ve got those too.
Garden furniture typically falls into the following designs:
- Corner sets: A corner set will be able to accommodate a large, informal party, and their main advantage is making the best use of available space. They also help to create a cocooning, intimate feel to any gathering and they define an area within the garden which is just for socialising and relaxing.
- Lounge sets: A lounge set is usually smaller and more flexible. They will enable you to take your meals outside, so you will be able to enjoy your breakfast, lunch, or even dinner al fresco.
- Dining sets: Dining sets can be suitable for any occasion, from formal seating for up to 10 people, down to 4 seats with more informal designs.
- Bistro sets: Bistro sets are usually smaller, and they are perfect for smaller spaces like balconies or patios. They are also usually more lightweight and are easy to move around the space. We can supply them in a variety of materials such as sturdy wood, traditional wicker, and metal. Our metal sets come in both contemporary, and period styles with beautiful mosaic details.
- Sun loungers and recliners: For the ultimate in relaxation, sun loungers and recliners can’t be beaten. Perfect for relaxing with a good book or just drowsing in the sunshine. They can be manipulated into different seating positions for maximum comfort.
- Cocoons and swing chairs: Swing chairs remind us of our childhood, and the action of a swinging chair is soothing and relaxing, helping to ease away the stresses and strains of modern life. They are perfect for meditation or to add a fun element to your garden. Cocoon chairs help you to shut out the outside world and to relax in a world of your own, or with up to 2 other people as we can provide cocoon chairs for up to 3 people (or you can treat yourself to more space to stretch out on your own).
Materials – Wicker (Rattan), Wood or Metal Outdoor Furniture?
Which material you choose is pivotal to the look of your furniture. All our furniture is guaranteed for at least 3 years, and many ranges come with a generous 10-year guarantee. We supply covers for all our furniture so you can store them safely when they’re not in use.
Below is a list of the materials we offer:
- Wicker: Wicker has a universal, traditional appeal. You may also know it as Rattan furniture. It is equally at home in a rural or a contemporary setting. Our wicker furniture is guaranteed for 3 years and has lightweight frost and rust-resistant frames. All our wicker ranges are painted in calm, neutral colours and have weather-resistant cushions, many of which are made from recycled plastic bottles. This furniture is easy to clean and maintenance-free.
- Wood: All our wooden furniture is solidly crafted from sustainable or 100% FSC certified wood, so you can be assured that the manufacture of your furniture has not involved damage to delicate and irreplaceable eco-systems. Wood has a timeless appeal that will never look out of date. Many of the pieces from our Alexander Rose ranges come with a generous 10-year guarantee. Our wooden furniture is meticulously crafted with attention to detail and built to last.
- Metal: Metal garden furniture has been made for hundreds of years, and it is still a popular choice of material today. Metal is a particularly durable material for garden furniture, as it will not rot, and if it is properly treated, will not rust either. Metal garden furniture is typically made from either steel or aluminium. Although steel is very robust, it is likely to be heavy and prone to rust. Aluminium is lighter, which makes it easier to move around, but with smaller pieces, this could make it prone to being blown about by strong winds. All our metal furniture is powder coated and is rustproof.
Styles
Another consideration when investing in quality garden furniture is which style you prefer. This will be influenced by the sort of property you live in, whether it is a period property like a Victorian terrace or a modern build. A common garden furniture trend is to extend the indoor space outdoors, so it will help to reflect the style inside your property.
- Modern: Modern styles feature sleek lines and unfussy designs that have little or no ornamental details. This style is minimalist and looks effortlessly clean and tidy. An excellent example of this style can be seen in our ‘Life’ range coloured in soothing contemporary shades of grey.
- Traditional: Traditional styles can be found in any material, and these will reflect the charm and nostalgia of any period in history and will be timeless in their appeal. They are cosy and can look more inviting and comfortable. Good examples of traditional style can be seen in our Bramblecrest range or our Supremo Range.
Don’t forget accessories!
There are many ways to accessorise your space and make it uniquely your own. Lights, blankets, cushions and firepits all make the space more comfortable and stylish. To control the amount of sunlight your seating area is exposed to, you can add a parasol to your furniture suite.
If this has inspired you to make the most of your outside space, contact us and our friendly and helpful team will be able to help you decide which furniture would best suit your needs, or guide you through the purchasing process.
