Outdoors Is the New Indoors
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
According to new research, consumers use their Outdoor Rooms for pretty much everything they can do indoors – from using cellphones for calls and games to working on computers, watching TV, eating, exercising and, of course, relaxing. Since 70% of people agree that they enjoy spending time in their outdoor living space more than inside, it’s only fitting that 2018 furnishing trends fully address the outdoor lifestyle experience.
“Whether enclosed or open-air, outdoor spaces have come into their own as legitimate rooms in the American home,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance and executive director of its outdoor division, the International Casual Furnishings Association.
“Today’s outdoor rooms have it all,” she says, “somewhere to dine, to relax, and to be entertained, with furnishings that function like they would for any room in the home, and with style and flair that distinctly says out-of-doors.”
Dining tables and chairs are topping people’s outdoor shopping lists this year (followed by lounge chairs, lighting, fire pits, umbrellas and sofas). Leading the list of 2018 spring trends in the dynamic dining category is ultra-comfortable seating and a wide variety of table options in all sizes. Extra-large dining tables are popular among consumers who entertain groups for alfresco dining. Yet, manufacturers understand that not everyone has a large outdoor space, so they are offering new selections for small spaces, including dining groups suitable for apartment- and condo-size balconies. Of course, there’s also every size in between.
The research also shows that 68% of people use their outdoor space at least several times a week in seasonal weather. When people were asked what would encourage them to spend even more time outdoors, topping the list was comfort (followed by spaciousness and style). Manufacturers are offering deep-seating chairs with high backs for relaxed comfort that encourages diners to linger.
“Because they are so comfortable, these chairs extend the length of dinnertime, which promotes conversation and togetherness,” Hirschhaut said.
Often accompanying these seating groups are fire tables or fire pits (number four on the planned purchase list), which continue to increase in popularity. “We are seeing that fire of some sort for outdoors is topping many consumers’ wish lists again this year,” Hirschhaut added. “You just can’t beat a fire element for creating ambiance.”
Much like spaces indoors, Outdoor Rooms are leaning more toward mixing rather than matching, both in individual pieces and in groups of pieces. Manufacturers are offering pieces that incorporate several different elements such as aluminum, wicker, and teak, as well as groups that pair, for example, wicker seating with iron and wood tables.
On the color spectrum, after years of brown as a dominant color, shades of gray are increasingly peeking through as a more popular finish.
The International Casual Furnishings Association, based in High Point, North Carolina, represents more than 100 manufacturers and distributors of outdoor furniture and accents, along with retailers, sales representatives, and suppliers to the industry.
What Follows are New Products from Six Companies
AGIO
With a neutral gray finish, Agio’s Aurora Deep Seating Collection shows off several key trends for 2018. Porcelain tabletops mix nicely with the resin wicker weave, and the deep-seated cushions invite relaxing, with or without a fire pit.
GLOSTER
Gloster’s Clipper dining table is available in a 110-in. length, perfect for hosting a large gathering for alfresco dining.
JENSEN LEISURE FURNITURE
The Richmond balcony rail table and chairs from Jensen Leisure Furniture is designed to complement the small outdoor spaces accompanying condos and apartments.
www.jensenleisurefurniture.com
OW LEE
OW Lee addresses today’s outdoor lifestyle with its new modular entertainment system that is part of the Pacifica collection of deep seating, dining, and lounge pieces. The group allows for a fully accessorized outdoor setting that’s much like an indoor setting and is certainly just as comfortable..
TROPITONE
Designed by Peter Homestead, the transitional Brazo collection from Tropitone highlights mixed materials with a combination of aluminum, faux wood, and woven elements together. It also features deep seating for enhanced comfort.
www.tropitone.com/outdoor-furniture/residential
VERANDA CLASSICS
Sporting a stylish gray finish and transitional styling, the mixed media Bradley collection from Veranda Classics features an all-aluminum frame that looks like teak mixed with a wicker seat.
