Blog | Furniture Maxi
Popular Garden Furniture Trends | Furniture Maxi
Popular Garden Furniture Trends 2021 Popular styles and designs are always evolving in the outdoor furniture market and now that many of us are making more use of our gardens than ever before, there is a lot to look forward to in 2021. Whether you own a small or large garden, there are plenty of exciting design ideas you can use to transform it into your dream space. We look ahead to the rest of the year to see what the most popular garden furniture trends of 2021 will be to give you some inspiration. Brighter colours The further we go into 2021 and the closer we get to the summer and a return to normality, the more we can try to forget all about 2020. People are spending more time in their outside area than ever before and adding some brighter colours is a great way to change the mood and atmosphere without spending much money. It’s one of the key garden furniture trends for 2021 and the best place to start is to mirror some of the more vibrant colours in your home in the outdoor living space. It can be anything from adding a few beautiful plants, to introducing cushions that pop, or exciting new throws to spruce up your garden furniture. Match them with an outdoor rug to transform the space to make it feel like a part of a home you can’t wait to relax in time and again. Ambient lighting Ambient outdoor lightning was a big outdoor furniture trend in 2020 and it will definitely continue on into 2021. Chimineas and fire pits are great ways to introduce these kinds of lighting solutions into your outdoor space and garden, so you can make the most of those long warm summer nights with family and friends. These items are safe to use and come with a number of tools that make it easy to control the flame and douse it when finished. Fire pits in particular have been rising in popularity for the past few years and come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, with many made from rattan or aluminium. They can also be used all-year round, so even when the temperature starts to fall you can keep the chill off in your outdoor space. Hanging swing chairs Nothing beats building your own cosy nook or nest away from the rest of the home, and the arrival of hanging swing chairs as a garden design trend will make it even easier to do in 2021. They effortlessly combine style and are extremely comfy, letting you snuggle into a corner of your home you can call your own. They are also sometimes called egg chairs or solo cocoons, so be on the look out for those names to if you start shopping around. Hanging swing chairs continue to become a popular rattan garden furniture piece that is appearing in an increasing number of homes around the country. Indoors outdoors Merging together the style of furniture used indoors with the external aesthetic was an outdoor trend already on the up before 2020 saw us spend more time than ever at home. It can be anything from the simple addition of potted plants or an outdoor sofa, to rugs and lighting installations. The garden has traditionally been seen as a completely separate space, but the growing popularity and accessibility of outdoor furniture has seen that change in the past few years. The idea is to create a seamless flow from one area into the other, so your entire property feels like home which will encourage you to get the most from every square inch. Compact gardens Outdoor design ideas are not just intended for homes with large gardens. Properties with compact areas need to make the most of what they have, and in 2021 there is an increased focus on helping people achieve that. When it comes to a smaller garden the goal is to make the space look as large and open as possible. This can be done by making the most of the vertical space, establishing clear pathways, creating clear borders and building outdoor rooms or specific zones for certain activities. You will have to be careful with plants, as anything too bushy or overgrown could crowd the area, but some bright climbers or perennials (Geraniums are great for this) would be ideal. Eating out People love to eat out, but don’t always enjoy the large bill that comes with it. It’s why rattan garden furniture has become such a hit, especially the many casual alfresco dining options it provides. 2020 encouraged people to be far more creative in the home entertainment stakes, with the option to visit restaurants not on the menu, so garden dining became even more popular. That will continue into 2021, even when things eventually return to normal. Whether it’s patio furniture or eating in cooler conservatory areas, there’s always something special about eating outdoors. Rattan outdoor furniture provides options to eat on traditional dining sets, bistro sets and sofas – even if you invest in a sun lounger all you need is a small side table for refreshments. Outdoor kitchen areas This goes hand-in-hand with the growth of dining outdoors in the garden and the blending of indoor and outdoor spaces. Having the option to entertain the family in the comfort of your own garden also means setting up the tools that will allow you to cook outside. It can be particularly useful if you do not have a large indoor kitchen, with the outdoor area acting as an open-air extension of sorts. Cooking up a tasty BBQ or making homemade pizzas in outdoor ovens creates a real rustic and inviting atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. When you add this into a dedicated seating area, nice ambient lighting and great company, it’s easy to see why it’s a trend that will continue into 2021 and beyond. Growing your own food If you are spending more time at home, have blended together internal and external aesthetics and are loving the joys of outdoor cooking, then the next natural step to take is to grow your own ingredients in the garden. Veganism has steadily been on the rise over the past decade as more people have started to turn away from meat to look for healthier options. The UK has clearly defined seasons that are ideal for growing organic produce, and it is also a great way to cut down on shopping bills. Today there is an ever-growing resource of places to visit online to find tasty plant-based recipes, and even if you do not have a large garden, wall planters and patio containers are a good way to cultivate your own vegetables. Grey gardens Pantone’s chosen colours for 2021 are Ultimate Grey and Illuminating – with the former in particular an interesting choice. Grey is a colour that has become increasingly popular with modern garden furniture, with its neutral tone providing a great balance with the naturalism found in outdoor spaces. There is no shortage of grey garden ideas for the year ahead and it’s no surprise that rattan will also prove to be an easy match here. You’ll find a wide variety of grey shades in this type of outdoor furniture, and regardless of the style or shape you currently have in the garden, the subdued tones slot right in without any fuss. Return of crazy paving It has been away from design trends for quite some time but crazy paving makes an unexpected return for 2021. For those not aware of what it is, crazy paving creates a ‘crazed’ appearance to the finish, so there is no recognisable symmetry or layout to the design. Gabion walling (where wire is used to tie together stone-filled gabions) is also back on trend. Stepping stones that use large irregular slabs are proving popular again too, while porcelain paving continues to make a comeback. The reason for porcelain’s popularity is because it looks like real stone and offers practical benefits such as the non-slip surface (the material has a low absorption rate). And with split level gardens starting to appear in more outdoor spaces across the UK, so too is slate-style walling. Forged furniture An ever reliable garden furniture trend is forged metal, which continues to be a hit with many homeowners. It’s a truly classic style that goes back decades and its adaptability to gardens makes it a popular choice for many. When treated correctly (and it is important to note that metal furniture can require a lot of maintenance work), it can remain protected against the elements, while looking very elegant and offers good durability. Like rattan garden furniture, it has remained on trending lists for years and will continue to do so for many more to come. Pergolas Building an entirely new outdoor space with a roof shelter requires quite a bit of planning, time and money, which is not something everyone is able to commit. A popular alternative for 2021 will be outdoor pergolas, which create the illusion of an outdoor room, complete with covering, without anywhere near as much investment required to put it in place. Creating dedicated zones and areas in the garden is a key trend for the year, and this is a cost-effective way of doing that. So if you want to get a bit of shade from the sun or duck underneath the cover during a downpour while the BBQ is fired up it has lots of versatility. Reclining sofas Reclining sofas have become a go-to choice in recent times for indoor spaces, taking up centre stage in living rooms and entertainment rooms. With homeowners now making their garden like a fifth room (in addition to the living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom), recliner sofas are now making their way outside of the home. Rattan sofas in particular are ideal for outdoor conditions, with their high levels of protection against UV rays, rain and frost. Rattan recliners also look just as great in conservatories or orangeries if you prefer to kick back in the shade. So if you want to take your relaxation time up a notch or two in 2021, this is well worth looking into.
Learn more
How To Choose The Best Rattan Furniture For Your Garden
Last Updated 14 April, 2021 Rattan garden furniture has become one of the most popular choices for homeowners right across the UK. These furniture sets bring style, comfort and longevity and fit perfectly into any outside space, large or small. Before you spend your hard-earned cash it’s important to do your research to understand what you need to look out for to make the right purchase. To give you a head start, here’s how to choose the best rattan garden furniture for your garden. Weigh Up The Costs Price doesn’t always dictate quality, which refers to both cheaper rattan garden furniture and furniture sets that are priced at the higher end of the market. Pay close attention to the materials that have been used to make the furniture as this will give you a clearer indication on the value of what you are purchasing. For example, rattan garden furniture made from PE or HDPE are specialised materials that will invariably cost more. While ranges from PU or PVC can also offer reliable quality, although not as much as the premium materials. Going cheaper will usually mean lower levels of weather resistance and durability and possibly higher levels of maintenance, but if the price fits into your budget they will still make a worthwhile investment. Quality matters when it comes to buying rattan furniture and like anything else this will be reflected in the price tag, so it consider it a future investment for your home and weigh up how much use you will get from it. Consider Maintenance Requirements You should give consideration to the amount of work that may be required to keep your rattan garden furniture in good shape. Whether you buy premium or budget pieces, you still need to carry out some level of maintenance as it plays an important role in maximising the value of your purchase. This is especially true during the COVID-19 period if family or friends come to visit your home, as you are likely to spend more time outside to maintain social distancing, which means the furniture pieces need to be cleaned more frequently. Good quality natural rattan is very low maintenance, so whether investing in a garden sofa or rattan dining set you won’t have to work too hard to keep it in good condition. It’s a good idea to avoid synthetic rattan as the quality can often be lower and not as reliable, which will increase the amount of maintenance and care you have to provide. A smart year-round choice is to use waterproof cushions for outdoor furniture to protect against rainfall, especially for rattan patio furniture that is more exposed to the outside elements. Some fabrics such as PVC mesh, polyester or solution dyed acrylic/olefin always stand up well to testing weather conditions throughout the year. Think Of The Colour Scheme Whether you choose grey garden furniture, or furniture sets of any other colour, it’s important to strike the right tonal balance to suit the surrounding environment. Classic colours tend to be the most popular, be it greys, blacks or browns, which are available in a range of different shades. Opting for one of these colours means that even if you move home, or the garden or house aesthetic changes, the rattan garden furniture remains adaptable enough to still fit in. And don’t forget, if you want to change up the look of any of your garden furniture sets you don’t necessarily have to go out to purchase brand new alternatives. Use throws, blankets and cushions to add a fresh new twist to their aesthetic. This is also a great idea during the winter when you might want to make the space feel more cosier as the temperature begins to fall. Rattan garden furniture can also be repainted very easily, which allows you to get creative with your colour palette without having to spend a fortune each and every time. Invest in good quality Whether you invest in a high quality rattan dining set, reclining seats or anything else for outdoor use you should expect it to last for a good period of time. There are some important features to look out for when shopping around that will help determine the overall quality of the product you want to buy. For example, the metal frame (in particular a steel frame) should provide a strong structure of support that will maintain the integrity of the furniture’s shape. This ensures it can bear the weight of everyone using the furniture and you won’t have any concerns about bending or warping occurring over time. The rattan weave should also be closely knit to produce a tight, flat surface that adds to your comfort. This will not only improve its natural weather-resistant properties but also ensure it remains hardwearing and doesn’t become easily damaged. So if you are ordering online, visiting a showroom or comparing at a garden centre, always be sure to check the quality of the rattan. Before you buy also check that there is a warranty provided by the company. For example, Furniture Maxi offer a warranty on the metal frame provided with all our indoor and outdoor rattan pieces. This gives you confidence in the quality of our products and added assurance that should you experience an issue in this period we are there to help. Get the comfort you deserve You will likely be spending a lot of hours relaxing on your multi-seater sofa set, bistro set, day bed or other pieces you have invested in, so comfort is something that cannot be overlooked. It ties in very closely to the quality of the furniture you buy, as the better the materials used to construct it, the more comfort you are likely to enjoy as a result. Natural rattan will serve you better in this regard, as the natural flexibility of the material is more responsive to ongoing usage. It should feature a tight, flat weave that can support the cushion, along with a strong steel frame that can hold the weight of people continually getting up and down. The cushions should also be able to maintain their shape and not look sunken or worn out before their time. Be Flexible and Adaptable While you want to purchase rattan patio furniture that suits the space well and serves the needs of the time spent there, it makes sense to ensure the pieces are adaptable enough to offer more. For example, why not invest in a rattan corner sofa instead of chairs and a coffee table? This means it can also be used for casual relaxing while your refreshments are taken care of, and also gives you the option to welcome a larger group for lunches and dinners. Or instead of going for a coffee or side table that only allows you to place items on-top, consider options that also provide storage. The more use you can get out of your rattan garden furniture, the more value you will receive for your purchase. It should also mean less clutter outside as there will be fewer items performing the same tasks as a larger number of pieces would be able to. Check you have enough storage space Finding enough storage can be an ongoing struggle for many households – especially if you have growing kids. What may first have been a spacious house soon becomes filled with the everyday items that make up our lives and before we know it almost every cupboard, shed and storage space is packed to the brim with stuff. When you are buying rattan furniture you should think about not only where you want to position each piece, but where you can keep it when it’s not in use. Spring and summer are the prime seasons for enjoying the garden, and when the temperature dips into single figures in autumn and winter you are less likely to spend time outside relaxing. Cube sets lend themselves to maximising space as they can be stacked and stored, or the seating kept underneath the table to increase the surrounding space. If you have a garage or shed that can accommodate them you can leave the furniture there during off-season, or even bring them into a conservatory or orangery, should you own one. You may even decide just to leave it outside until you are ready to use the furniture again, but unless they are given the right amount of protection, this isn’t something we would advise you do. If you have no option but to leave the furniture outside, we would recommend you invest in a weatherproof cover that can be secured in place using drawstrings. This will shield against wind, rain, frost and any flying debris, and can even be used during the summer to protect the furniture against UV rays. The cost is low compared to the damage that bad weather could cause to the furniture and it means you won’t have to worry about where to store everything when not in use. Plan the garden layout Just as you would with indoor furniture you have to plan the layout of the garden to maximise the space you have available. Whether you are buying a dining set for al fresco dining, a garden bench for quiet contemplation in your outdoor space, or a sun lounger to relax and take it easy, you need to ensure the garden doesn’t feel overcrowded and provides easy access and walkways. Try to plan this together with how you intend to use the space which will make it easier to map out where each piece of furniture will go. For example, if you are big fan of BBQ cookouts during the summer, then think about where you’d want to use the equipment in conjunction with the seating available for family and guests. The distance should be relatively short for people to grab their food and sit down, but also not too close that the smoke lingers over everyone. As you would with furniture for the inside of your home, measure the dimensions of your garden to create an overhead plan of the space. Add in the patio areas and flower beds that are in place so you have an accurate idea of the amount of space available for the furniture. Whether it’s a 5 or 9-seater sofa set or anything else, all our products feature the measurements, so you can add this into your plan to find the right configuration that suits you best. Popular types of rattan furniture Garden Sofa sets From corner sofas to spacious sofa sets that can accommodate up to 9 people at a time, sofa sets remain one of the most commonly purchased types of rattan furniture. Combined with plump cushions, footstools and stunning coffee tables, they offer the perfect place to get unwind and relax in the garden. Garden Dining sets If you are a big on entertaining and love nothing more than cooking for friends and family, an outdoor dining set is just the ticket. The table top provides plenty of space to eat and enjoy the pleasures of al-fresco dining during the warmer months of the year. Use them on the patio, decking or in conservatories or orangeries when the temperature starts to fall. Garden Bistro sets Bistro sets are great or smaller gardens, patios and balconies, giving you a place to grab a bite to eat with a friend or other half at any time during the day. They bring a real sense of elegance and style to the garden and can easily be moved to new locations during autumn and winter if needed. Rattan Sun loungers The next level of relaxation can be found in a sun lounger, complete with parasol for added protection against UV rays. Add in a side table for refreshments so you can stay cool, and use the easily adjustable settings to find the perfect angle to top up your tan and enjoy spending time in the serene environment of your own garden. Garden Cube sets Known for their great space saving benefits and timeless aesthetic, rattan cube sets remain as popular as ever with UK homeowners. They are stackable and foldable to help you maximise floor space, while offering all the style and comfort you expect from rattan. Ideal for compact gardens, conservatories and more.
Learn more
Garden Furniture Trends for 2020 | Furniture Maxi
Thanks to the internet we now have more access to garden furniture than ever before, which means we are able to craft the perfect home and keep on top of the latest design trends. Below we go into more detail about garden furniture trends for 2020 so you can get the most out of your home and garden spaces. Extending Your Home Into The Garden The line between the inside of your home and the outside space is becoming more blurred as the years go by. This can be seen with the ongoing trend of large bays and extensions being attached to living room areas. Outdoor spaces are increasingly being designed to allow people to wander from their home out into the garden and vice-versa without any hassle, allowing you place rattan table and chairs close by to enjoy the lovely weather once it arrives. The Need For Comfort One thing that outdoor garden furniture always needs to deliver is comfort and that continues on into 2020. No matter the colour or type of modern garden furniture it needs to promote wellbeing. Rattan dining furniture fits this profile perfectly, offering high levels of resistance without being rigid, allowing you to sit back and relax in style. Chairs modelled in PVC nylon also offer good flexibility to ensure you can upkeep them for long periods of time. Furniture with large cushions and sofas with spacious cut outs will also be on trend for the year. Accessorising The Garden While rattan garden furniture remains a staple, people are starting to look for more additions to customise their gardens and outdoor living spaces. From trivets to pedestal tables, a key trend for this year will be to accessorise the garden in a similar way we do to the living room, using small trinkets that offer character and personality. It creates a more personal and warm atmosphere that homeowners want to create inside their homes, further extending the idea of how the garden has become a natural extension of the spaces found inside the four walls. Infusion Of Exciting Colours and Textures The world remains as interconnected as ever and that will continue to be reflected in garden furniture this year. Whether it’s throws and covers used on rattan garden furniture, or the addition of exotic styles to reflect a broader view of the world through use of cushions and baskets, influences from around the globe lead the way. Scandinavia continues to be a big source of inspiration, while earthy tones such as brown, terracotta, coral and roses will sit perfectly in the garden. Eat Al Fresco Once upon a time, cooking and eating outside was a thing people in the UK only did occasionally. But that has changed dramatically over the past 10 years and will continue on into 2020 and beyond. Where pop-up structures were once temporary, they are now permanent, featuring built-in cooking areas with pizza ovens designed for barbecues, along with storage and prep spaces. The official Pantone colour for 2020 is Classic Blue, which will be a natural fit for rattan garden furniture such as outdoor furniture sets and round garden sets. Permanent Lighting In keeping with the use of the garden as an extension of the home, we will see more and more people looking at installing permanent lighting solutions. Solar-based options have been the norm for some time, but with outdoor spaces being used more often and people purchasing more rattan garden furniture and other complementary pieces, the need now is to have fixed lighting in place. Outdoor furniture sets will benefit greatly as it allows for longer term use, while the illumination of outdoor walkways and steps ensures higher levels of safety. Weather Resistant Furniture Rattan garden furniture is already renowned for its weather resistant properties, but it’s a need that people continue to look for in other items. The British weather is unpredictable at best, which means you need modern garden furniture that is adaptable and offers longevity. Rattan cube furniture is always a good starting place, as are items that are aluminium or iron based, such as cast tables and chairs that also ensure a sense of classic timelessness.
Learn more
How to Style Your Garden | Furniture Maxi
How to Design a Garden To style your garden is to bring it to life in a way that matches your taste and your personality. From the garden furniture you choose to the lighting and layout, creating an outdoor space that fits your way of life. Whether a place to retreat from the world, relaxing with a book and a bottle of something red; or an enclave of entertainment, a haven to host friends on a long summer night. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the best ways to add a bit of modern style to your garden, so that you can enjoy that outdoor living to the max, in an environment that works for you, and reflects your own personal tastes. The Holiday at Home Look We all love that chilled feeling we get on holiday, as we relax by a pool or on a veranda as the sun goes down on another beautiful day. Now, we’re not advocating that you install a pool in your garden, but a few classy additions can help you recreate that sense of relaxed holiday calm when you get home from work each day. So, how do you transform an area of your garden into a home holiday zone? Well, your furniture and accessories can certainly help put you in the right frame of mind: Buy some comfy recliners or other garden furniture that is actually appealing to look at and inviting to sit upon. A luxury sun lounger set upon which to kick back, close your eyes and dream of tropical sunsets A quality rattan sofa set can create an area of the garden that exudes that relaxed holiday style, every day of the year, offering an elegant, comfortable place to sit, entertain and eat. It’s also amazing how much you can transform a simple outdoor dining space by adding an attractive parasol to your patio set. A simple, clean addition that’s perfect for sitting beneath with drink and a good book. The Al Fresco Dining Experience While we’ve long been a nation that rushes to dig out the barbecue at the first hint of warm weather, your garden can offer so much more when it comes to outdoor dining experiences. Creating that space to prepare and cook can be a great way to utilise the garden space you have, be that a simple barbecue area or full-blown outdoor kitchen. However, the real treat of Al Fresco dining has to make room for the dining itself. The pleasure derived from sitting around a table and indulging in quality food and drink in the open air. This is where making the right choice of garden furniture comes into play. Why not consider an elegant dining set such as a rattan 7 seater outdoor table and chairs, ideal for entertaining and spending an evening sitting around? Or maybe a corner sofa set with table, for less formal or tapas style dining if you’re going for that Mediterranean feel. The Minimalist Look Taking a more minimalist approach when styling your garden works for a lot of homeowners for a number of reasons. First, it offers a neat, contemporary feeling that might well be in keeping with similar modern stylings in the interior rooms of the house. It can also help keep your garden low maintenance, which can be a real advantage to those who want a good looking and practical outdoor living area, but lead busy lives with not much time to tend to greenery. You can source some elegant modern garden furniture to help the look, such as a rattan 5 piece set, without necessarily having to break the bank to do so. Once the furniture is arranged and in place as you desire, that chic minimalist look can be enhanced by the way you accessorise the area. Some small, easy to manage plants can add colour and a sense of calm to the area. And, if you’ve opted for contemporary plain colours for the furniture, such as a popular grey, then a hint of vibrancy can be added with a small selection of brighter, waterproof, cushions. Conclusion We know that your garden offers a cherished space for most homeowners. Whether large expanse, or a compact city garden, making the most of this space is an important part of our home lives. How you style your garden is, of course, down to your personal tastes, your budget and the space that you have available. But with some carefully selected items and an awareness of what you want from your outdoor living, you can truly maximise the space that you possess. From loungers upon which to enjoy the sun, to beautifully crafted and aesthetically appealing rattan outdoor sets or sofas, the garden furniture and accessories that you introduce will play a massive part in this overall look and appeal.
Learn more
