Stepping out

Outdoor furniture must be able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
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With the heat of summer subsiding, outdoor spaces are in need of a refresh. CID looks at the key trends currently impacting the evolution of the outdoor furniture sector

With the region’s climate lending itself to outdoor living, outdoor furniture manufacturers have a captive audience in the Middle East. “With months of excellent weather in the UAE, the outdoor environment is a major lifestyle venue of choice for both the hospitality industry and private residential users alike.

“The most common trend over recent years has been to take the ‘inside out’, as the line between interior and outdoor furniture has become increasingly blurred,” Dan Lacey, general manager, Kudos International, pointed out.

When it comes to quality, nowhere is it more risky to cut corners than in outdoor spaces. Sub-par products are quite literally unable to ‘take the heat’ – and any corner cutting becomes very apparent, very quickly.

“Durability is vital in outdoor design, particularly in this region, where extreme temperatures mean that cheaper options may well be a short-term fix that will not stand the test of the elements,” explained Mark Sault, managing director, Parasol Garden Furniture. “Materials which have a proven record, and are designed to withstand heat and dust, are essential,” he warned.

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Staying strong

Good outdoor furniture is an effective combination of three core elements – comfort, design and durability.

Lacey cites style, colour, functionality and comfort as important factors but “most essentially in the Middle East, with its harsh and extreme weather conditions, are UV and colour stability, plus impact resistance. These essential yet ‘invisible’ elements, which are incorporated into the manufacturing process of the synthetic ‘All Weather Wicker’ weave, guarantee longevity and successful performance for commercial outdoor furnishings,” he continued.

German outdoor furniture specialist, Dedon has developed a fibre that is able to endure the whole spectrum of tough weather conditions. “Dedon developed the original Dedon fibre, which was specially manufactured to withstand tough weather conditions without maintenance,” explained Angel Salvador, international contract director, Dedon.

From synthetic rattan to ‘All Weather Wicker’, the evolution of the industry has ensured that designers have an increasingly varied selection of materials to choose from. Trends and tastes vary widely, and change rapidly. “‘All Weather Wicker’ furniture is the most practical and popular material for outdoor furniture right now, whereas teak and cast aluminium were predominant a few years ago,” according to Lacey.

“However, due to the need for ongoing and regular maintenance, these two materials have declined in popularity, as the more durable and easily maintained ‘All Weather Wicker’ products have become the furniture of choice for the majority of hospitality facilities.”

Form first

While comfort and durability may have reigned in the past, aesthetics are steadily becoming the ‘deal-breaker’ when it comes to outdoor furniture. A growing number of big-name international designers are lending their expertise to the industry, resulting in increasingly striking designs.

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“The design aspect of outdoor furniture is becoming as important as the other two factors. For years, the basic bench, chair and table design remained essentially the same – a functional yet uninspiring concept.

Now, design and form have really become the motivation for many designers,” said Sault.

When it comes to colour, Dedon is predicting the popularity of bursts of bright patterns against more neutral tones this season. “The trend concerning colour this year will be based on all warm tonality variations, which start at brown going through to grey. Colourful decorative patterns will be the main protagonist on those very neutral bases,” Salvador commented.

The company is currently promoting a host of new products, including the Cambon collection, which is heavily inspired by the world of fashion. The collection calls on Paris’ fashion districts, blending Audrey Hepburn-style grace with groundbreaking innovation.

“Meanwhile, the Marseille collection takes us on a trip through fashion history, starting in Europe during the golden twenties, visiting mundane summer flings on the French Riviera, and travelling back to the present time to take in Jean-Paul Gaultier’s subversive sailor chic,” said Salvador.

In addition, Dedon has teamed up with Jean-Marie Massaud, who has reinterpreted four classic fashion trends and incorporated them into the Dedon Slim Line collection.

Kudos also has a host of new products on offer this season. “We have been very busy redesigning our whole collection over the past few months, ahead of a grand launch in the UAE market after Eid,” Lacey revealed.

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The new Kudos range features bright new colours, new shapes and new weave styles – a break from the more traditional styles currently available on the market, Lacey maintained.

“Kudos has also created an entirely new Arabic-inspired range of outdoor furniture in both ‘All Weather Wicker’ and hardwood, along with a new Kudos Kids range, aimed specifically at providing outdoor furniture for children, both of which we believe are totally new innovations in outdoor furnishings in the Middle East,” he continued.

The company has also identified demand for tailor-made outdoor design solutions and has launched its ‘Solutions by Demand’ service in response. “A good example of this approach can be seen in the recently-completed portable, modular majlis seating which we designed for the Anantara Desert Resort on Sir Bani Yas Island, for their ‘dining in the desert’ experience.

“We have also designed cabana structures with Arabic-style day beds for both The Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi and The Anantara Desert Resort, which include unique design details and features specific to the architecture and ambiance of both hotels,” said Lacey.

While aesthetics, durability and comfort will always be the key influencers, there is another important trend currently impacting the evolution of outdoor furniture: sustainability. “Eco-friendliness and sustainability are a very important topic and are becoming a very sensitive point in the general trade.

Dedon is seriously researching alternative materials and manufacturing solutions that are in accordance with this important issue,” Salvador maintained.

The world of outdoor furniture may be evolving rapidly – but there are some constants, Lacey maintained.

“One major factor which has not changed with regards to outdoor furniture is the need for continual follow up, maintenance and after sales service of products once sold and delivered.”

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