Spring finally seems to be taking a first tentative peak from behind the winter clouds, which means attention can at last turn to the exteriors of our homes once again.
This time of year, is always a busy period in the garden furniture trade, as homeowners begin to plan for how they will make the most of their gardens throughout the longer, warmer months to come.Jo Alexander, an online garden furniture and decor specialist based in Cambridgeshire, said this is the time for landscapers and garden design specialists to get on top of this season’s trends so they can make the best possible recommendations to clients and choose products that really help to bring their plans to life.
A spokesperson said: “It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with what’s available, what’s really catching the eye out there on the market, then you can add value to your clients by helping them to choose great pieces to complete their garden.”
Reclaim a seat
Chairs remain a staple of garden furniture, and Jo Alexander says this summer’s stock lines offer a mix of the traditional and contemporary to suit a wide range of tastes. “We expect hardwood garden chairs to continue to be one of our best sellers,” the spokesperson continued. “They are practical, durable and look great. Wood has a special place in people’s hearts when it comes to outdoor furniture, for many it is the go-to choice.
“In terms of designs for timber garden chairs for this season, we’re seeing a focus on simple, solid, timeless pieces that are at once understated yet effortlessly elegant.
“Another really important trend in hardwood furniture this year is the use of reclaimed timber. If we look at teak, for example, which is probably the most sought-after hardwood for outdoor furniture because it is naturally weather resistant and so hard wearing, there have started to be a few concerns around sustainability centred on issues like over-intensive logging in teak’s natural tropical rainforest habitat, or natural habitats being cleared for commercial plantations.
“But reclaimed teak offers a superb alternative. Pre-used teak is readily available in its native countries, places such as India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia, where it is extensively used in construction. Because it is so hard wearing and durable, when it is pulled off old timber frame buildings, it is still perfect for recycling to make furniture out of. A reclaimed teak garden chair makes a strong, sustainable, beautiful addition to any garden.”
At the other end of the scale from the classic teak chair, Jo Alexander is also seeing an increase in demand for a much more contemporary material for furniture – concrete. “When we think of concrete, we tend to think of tower blocks and big, imposing urban infrastructure, but in recent years some forward-thinking furniture designers have been reinventing concrete as a highly attractive material for our gardens. Polished concrete has a very appealing shine to it and makes a great choice if you want something a little more unusual for our garden.
“The concrete garden chair options we are stocking this year also show how versatile concrete can be – from industrial-looking, cubist-inspired stools to beautifully smooth giant polished ‘pebbles’ that look like they have been picked straight out of a mountain stream.”