The upcoming summer season usually means one thing, and one thing only – our outdoor spaces are due a serious glow-up.
Now is the season for BBQ’s; enjoying our morning coffee outdoors; garden get-togethers; al fresco dining and, most importantly, making the most of the summer sun (while it’s here, at least). For today’s blog, we’ve explored the key trends dominating the outdoor living market this summer to inspire your garden makeover, featuring numerous product selects from our impressive portfolio of leading global design brands.
Curves abound
Curvy furniture and circular shapes have been a staple on the interiors scene for some time, with the outdoor market taking note in 2024. Look no further than King Living’s 1977 Outdoor collection (launching this summer) as the pinnacle of this trend, drawing on 1970s design influences with sumptuous curves and contours. See also King’s Aura Outdoor Sofa, inspired by the form of floating islands with a retractable canopy to protect you from the harsh summer sun while reading, relaxing or WFG. Bucking the trend for harsh lines and linear designs, all outdoor sofas in King’s collection reflect the laid-back Australian lifestyle; one of our other favourites is the Zaza Outdoor sofa, featuring organic lines, a relaxed, tailored finish, and deep plush seats for lounging. Better still, it features high-performing outdoor covers, backed by a five-year warranty and boasting UV stability, fade and mildew resistance with enhanced waterproofing – because as we all know, you can never rely on the British summer…
Multifunctional furniture
Being an exceptionally crowded market, outdoor furniture has to offer more than simply looking good; consumers are looking for designs that extend far beyond being a piece of functional furniture. Step forward, Cornilleau: the leading French outdoor sports table specialist, whose new Play-Style range combines al fresco dining with competitive sports. Drawing on a 50-year history of precision cabinetmaking, this family-run business makes all tables at the same Bonneuil-les-Eaux factory from the finest sustainable materials and represents a brilliant combination of heritage-meets-cutting edge innovation. Its chic Play-Style collection can be converted into an al-fresco dining set-up by day, and a traditional Ping-Pong/foosball/pool table by night. Look also to David Harber’s collaboration with luxury British jeweller Annoushka Ducas MBE, exclusively launched at Chelsea Flower Show in 2023: Sycamore, a life-size representation of one of Ducas’s most popular charms, combined Harber’s skills in classic sculpture-making with exquisite jewellery design to produce a rotating sculpture-turned-garden-seat for enjoying the surrounding landscape.
Outdoor bathing
The gift that keeps on giving, the market for outdoor bathing grows year-on-year, but Victoria + Albert has long been at the forefront. Its entire portfolio of QUARRYCASTä freestanding baths can be installed outdoors thanks to the numerous beneficial properties of this revolutionary material – one being its natural whiteness and UV resistance, meaning it won’t yellow in the sun. A fashionable design choice amongst luxury hotels and beachside villas, outdoor baths are quickly becoming a more favourable option than traditional hot-tubs or splash pools. Our pick of the best has to be the stunning Taizu bath, an opulent Japanese-inspired circular bath destined to be stationed on a London roof terrace.
Luxe dinner parties
While sofas sit at the core of King Living’s business, its Outdoor product portfolio includes several glamorous dining collections to maximise al fresco dining opportunities this summer. Gone are the days of a wicker bistro set-up; we’re talking luxe dining furniture such as the Plateau or Quay collections, perfect for hosting dinner parties into the long summer nights surrounded by friends, family, and a cocktail or two. Speaking of – no BBQ season would be complete without a selection of refreshing beverages lovingly crafted from Smeg’s small appliances; its Citrus Juicer comes Rooster-recommended for concocting the perfect margarita, while its blenders are perfect for frozen Aperol Spritz or ‘frosé’ drinks.
Timeless style
Outdoor furniture can be a considerable investment, so many prefer to opt for classic pieces with longevity in mind. Case in point: King Living’s Jasper Outdoor range, which takes its iconic Jasper sofa – celebrating its 21st anniversary this year – and adapted it to withstand harsh weather conditions. Featuring a classic woven design, Jasper is a timeless staple guaranteed to stand the test of time. See also: David Harber’s Torus or Armillary Sphere, two of the most popular pieces in the British sculptor’s repertoire, featuring a timeless aesthetic in comparison to some of the designer’s quirkier pieces. The Armillary Sphere, a classic sundial fashioned from Verdigris bronze, stainless steel, or brass, will be receiving a fresh update for 2024 to mark the brand’s 30th anniversary and previewed exclusively at Chelsea Flower Show in May.
We’ll be keeping our eyes firmly on the design scene for more outdoor trend reports in the coming months; in the meantime, you can catch up on our AW24 trend analysis here.
