Designing a garden room means creating a real outdoor living space. On a terrace, a balcony or in the heart of the garden, every space can be designed for relaxing, entertaining, enjoying the sun or dreaming in the shade of a tree. Warm wood, colorful metal, mixed materials or sleek shapes: there’s a wide range of styles to suit every taste. Discover garden furniture ideas for every taste, practical advice and inspiring selections.
Here’s to sunny days!
Simon Legald heads the design team at Normann Copenhagena role he takes on as an extension of a career that began at the Royal Danish Academy of Arts, from which he graduated in 2012. A designer with a resolutely pragmatic approach, he is dedicated to creating functional objects designed to accompany everyday life.
For Simon Legald, design is as much about the process as the result: materials, manufacturing and ideas are in constant dialogue. His approach aims for a balance between durability and accessibility, giving rise to the right pieces, somewhere between industry and craftsmanship, designed to last and reach a wide audience. Meet the artist.
” Vig is inspired by the structure of a handrail – an element on which you naturally come to rest your arms. I wanted to transpose this feeling into outdoor furniture with a light, airy structure, that offers both from comfort and comfort and and breathability, while blending seamlessly into its surroundings. Nature plays an essential role here, right down to the name, borrowed from a picturesque region of Denmark, which reflects this close link between design and landscape.”
“The main challenge was to combine durability and lightness. The Vig is designede to withstand the elements in both private and high-traffic environments, requiring extremely resistant materials. Steel is galvanized and double-coated powder-coatedwhile the wood used is Robinia, renowned for its natural durability. Striking a balance between these technical requirements while maintaining a minimalist, airy design proved both exciting and challenging.”
NORMANN COPENHAGEN
Vig Wood stacking chair natural wood
NORMANN COPENHAGEN
Vig Wood natural wood stacking dining chair
“ For me, an ideal garden is a place that’s welcoming and conducive to relaxation. The courtyard of the Normann Copenhagen is a good example: furniture is an integral part of everyday life. I appreciate spaces where furniture blends naturally with its surroundings, whether urban or natural, and contributes to the atmosphere without dominating it. Vig embodies this approach. “
Content translated from English.
A must-have for garden furniture that’s both welcoming and authentic, wood has a patina that lasts through the seasons without ever tiring you out. From exotic teak to the raw charm of acacia, from oak to composite wood, this living material adapts to all your decorating desires. Seaside ambience, country chic or contemporary allure, wood brings a touch of refinement to all exteriors.
Looking for a charming garden furniture idea? Discover our inspirations and favorite collections, from the roughest to the most contemporary.
Wood is making a comeback in our gardens, with its pure lines and deliberately raw aesthetic. No frills here: solid wood, straight lines and a visible structure. This radical approach celebrates the beauty of raw materials and the authenticity of construction. Wood, left exposed or painted in sober or primary shades, asserts its character and creates a subtle contrast with the greenery of the garden.
Warm, durable and profoundly timeless, solid wood imposes its style on our exteriors. With its exposed grain, natural hues and lively feel, it develops a patina over time, without ever going out of fashion. Each piece of solid wood garden furniture tells a story, the story of a noble material crafted with respect for the material. An ideal garden furniture idea for those seeking authenticity and durability.
Sturdy, elegant, contrasting… The wood and metal duo can be used in a variety of ways to dress up outdoor furniture. Wood and metal garden furniture embodies the perfect balance between authenticity and modernity. Metal – often used for frames or structures – ensures solidity and gives a contemporary look to outdoor coffee tables and armchairs. Wood, on the other hand, softens the overall look and adds warmth with its lively textures.
Solid, timeless and resolutely durable… Metal is the ideal material for a garden furniture set that’s both trendy and long-lasting. Stainless in the face of changing seasons and styles, it can be reinvented without losing its cachet. Whether it’s a vintage version with industrial accents, a streamlined silhouette or a lace-like openwork look, metal deploys its full palette to create outdoor spaces with character. A powerful material, to be (re)discovered in all its facets.
Looking for an idea for designer garden furniture? Metal bends gently to create lightweight seating. Arched structures create furniture that’s both graphic and welcoming, ideal for structuring a modern relaxation area. The curves break with metal’s usual strict lines to offer real visual comfort and an ultra-contemporary look.
Choose metal garden furniture that combines technology, comfort and good humor. With a palette of vibrant hues and proven expertise, painted metal pieces bring rhythm to the outdoors. Stackable, folding or fixed, they adapt to any size of space. Here, metal becomes an accomplice to your sun breaks, while adding a decorative touch that won’t go unnoticed.
For a garden lounge with an assertive style, opt for textural effects. Perforated metal plays with light, creating poetic atmospheres as the day progresses. Its openwork patterns let rays filter through to create subtle shadow effects on the floor or walls. Braided, it is reminiscent of artisanal techniques, giving rise to seats that are as airy as they are resistant. A more sensitive, more textile approach that reinvents the material.
–Dapple by Ferm LivingDapple, a lightweight seat with tubular structure and openwork fabric, ideal for a bohemian chic ambience.
–T37 by Tolix, an iconic chair revisited with a new metal weave, a blend of tradition and innovation.
–Satellite by Gubi, a retro-futuristic perforated outdoor lamp that plays with light to create a unique evening atmosphere.
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Looking for absolute comfort in your garden furniture? Think Fatboy poufs! Modular, lightweight and ultra-versatile, they’re perfect for sitting on, stretching out your legs or improvising an extra seat around the coffee table. Outdoor poufs come in a multitude of shapes, colors and materials.
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To make the most of your garden furniture even in the sunniest hours, shade is essential. In addition to protecting you from the sun’s rays, Business & Pleasure parasols give visual structure to the space and dress up your outdoor relaxation area. Choose from soft or contrasting shades to complement your outdoor décor.
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Decorating for the outdoors too! Kartell outdoor cushions, with their graphic patterns and bright or natural colors, instantly breathe warmth into your garden furniture. Combined with an outdoor rug, they create a real outdoor living space. UV and humidity resistant, these decorative elements are designed to last.
When looking for a durable garden furniture idea, the choice of material is essential. Of all the options available, metal stands out as one of the most resistant materials for an outdoor space. Stainless, lightweight and easy to maintain, it is resistant to humidity, UV rays and temperature variations. Aluminum garden furniture retains its appearance through the seasons, without rusting or warping.
Teak is another excellent alternative. This naturally rot-resistant exotic wood is highly weather-resistant. Over time, it develops an elegant gray patina, much sought-after in chic outdoor settings.
Whichever material you choose, remember to combine your living room with a matching garden table and a few decorative accessories to personalize your outdoor space: cushions, lanterns, outdoor rugs… Enough to create a stylish, hard-wearing relaxation area to make the most of the warm weather!
To create a cocooning outdoor corner, start by creating a low garden lounge with generous, welcoming garden sofas. Add colorful cushions for a cozy, convivial touch.
Set up your relaxation area in the shade of trees or under a pergola for an intimate atmosphere. Surround yourself with plants in pots or in the ground: they bring freshness and life. When it comes to lighting, opt for strings of lights suspended in the branches or around your furniture, to create a soft, magical atmosphere as soon as night falls.
To complete your garden furniture, don’t forget a small outdoor rug, a few plaids for chilly evenings and why not a brazier to extend summer evenings. With all these ideas for your garden furniture, your outdoor space becomes a truly comfortable refuge, perfect for relaxing all summer long.
For a garden furniture that will stand up to the seasons without faltering, it’s best to opt for reliable, hard-wearing materials. Aluminum, teak and woven resin are some of the most suitable materials for garden furniture that will remain outdoors all year round. They are resistant to weather, UV rays, humidity and temperature variations, and require little maintenance.
A set of garden armchairs in powder-coated aluminum or woven resin, with removable, water-repellent cushions, is perfect for staying outdoors in all seasons. Teak, meanwhile, develops a beautiful gray patina over time, giving it a natural charm, even without special protection.
Even with sturdy furniture, it’s a good idea to cover your living room during winter or long periods of disuse, to extend its lifespan. Use protective covers to cover all your garden furniture.
By choosing quality, well-designed materials, you can enjoy your garden furniture season after season.
When is the right time to buy garden furniture? Just before the warm weather sets in, when the new design collections make their appearance. Late winter, early spring: this is the time when the most beautiful pieces – from generous sofas to wrap-around armchairs – are still available, in a diversity of styles that invite you to project yourself.
It’s also an opportunity to think of your outdoor space as a genuine relaxation area, where every element has its place. A well-designed chair, an elegant coffee table, materials such as rattan or wicker for a bohemian look, or the modernity of a well-crafted plastic: it’s all about balance.
On the palette, a taupe color imposes a discreet, long-lasting elegance. Anticipating your purchase is above all offering yourself the luxury of composing a coherent decor, ready to welcome long summer evenings.
Start by defining the use of your relaxation space: convivial moments around a sofa, moments of reading in wraparound armchairs or extended meals with an ergonomic chair. Each room must meet a specific need.
Materials then play a central role. Rattan and wicker seduce with their natural, bohemian charm, while plastic stands out for its ease of maintenance and resistance to the vagaries of the weather.
Think also of the overall harmony: a well-proportioned coffee table, a taupe color for a timeless base, or more assertive hues to energize the whole. Successful garden furniture combines style, functionality and visual coherence.
The location of your garden furniture is almost as important as its design. Even before choosing a sofa or armchairs, take a close look at your outdoor environment: sun orientation, shady areas, traffic flow… The right positioning instantly transforms your space into a genuine relaxation area, designed to last all day long.
Choose a spot sheltered from the wind, bathed in light in the morning or late afternoon. A terrace structured around a low table, accompanied by a well-integrated chair, creates a fluid, convivial whole.
Finally, play with color – natural shades or vivid hues – to visually anchor your furniture in its environment and give a lovely harmony to the whole.
Maintaining your outdoor furniture means adopting a few simple but regular reflexes. In most cases, gentle cleaning withwarm, soapy water is enough to remove dust, pollen and everyday traces. Avoid overly aggressive products that could damage finishes or weaken materials.
As winter approaches, protection becomes essential. Ideally, furniture should be stored in a dry, ventilated area, such as a garage or garden shed. If this is not possible, invest in breathable protective covers, designed to prevent condensation and preserve surfaces for the long term.
Also, remember to raise furniture slightly to limit direct contact with floor moisture, and to dismantle textile or removable elements. Finally, preventive maintenance – such as the application of an oil or a specific treatment depending on the material – will prolong the life of your furniture and ensure that it’s ready for use in fine weather.
Today’s garden furniture ideas are inspired by a strong desire to make the outdoors a real living space. More than a simple furnishing, garden furniture becomes a living space in its own right, designed to combine comfort, aesthetics and durability.
Among the major trends, the return to natural materials is an obvious choice. Rough wood, stone, woven fibers and hand-crafted ceramics breathe warmth and authenticity into a more responsible, sustainable approach.
In terms of style, lines are softened: organic shapes, enveloping silhouettes and modular furniture create a fluid, adaptable space. The aim? To create a convivial space, designed for both entertaining and everyday relaxation.
The palette also evolves towards tones inspired by nature: beiges, browns, mineral shades or taupe, for a subtle harmony with the exterior environment.
Last but not least, the atmosphere is created in the details: soft lighting, outdoor textiles and decorative accessories complete a décor that is lively, elegant and deeply welcoming.
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