4 days ago
Ditch the greige rattan – this is the best summer garden furniture (from £50)
There's nothing like the prospect of a sunny weekend to spur you into a garden furniture update. A quick scan on Google will bring up reams of garden chairs and tables, mainly in various shades of greige. The prevailing trend for several years has been for rattan pieces that look as if they have already faded – chosen, perhaps, because they don't fight with the colours of the planting. But high-street retailers are noticing a subtle shift away from muted colours, to pieces altogether bolder and brighter.
'Garden furniture has traditionally leant towards greige and neutral tones, designed to blend quietly into the background,' says Gabrielle Anderson, an outdoor furniture buyer at John Lewis. 'But as customers grow more confident with colour indoors, we're seeing that same boldness extend into outdoor spaces. Rich tones such as terracotta, olive and even vibrant orange can bring a playful energy to the garden, and can complement natural greenery.'
Sabina Miller, the buying director at Heal's, agrees: 'The introduction of colour into outdoor settings brings multiple benefits and will offer visual interest year-round, instantly lifting the energy of the space in even the wettest of weathers,' she says. 'As the availability of coloured outdoor furniture has grown, so too has customer demand.'
Durability is an important part of outdoor furniture, and is another reason that many of us opt for muted furniture that won't fade in the weather – but today's colourful options boast serious staying power.
'Modern materials and manufacturing innovations have meant that the UK market now offers furniture in a greater variety of colour, textures and designs, while simultaneously providing enhanced durability,' says Miller. 'Modern powder-coated aluminium maintains its colour integrity year after year, while many contemporary outdoor fabrics are woven using recycled plastics and feature UV-resistant properties that preserve their vibrancy over time.'
If you feel that greige has had its day in your garden, here's a selection of colourful pieces to lift the mood.
