Private outdoor spaces as cozy as those indoors

It's really not even accurate to call it outdoor furniture. It's leisure furniture, and it's Stunning. People are starting to think of their outdoor spaces as extensions of their Homes, and furnishing them accordingly.

Higher quality at lower prices

Quality is up at lower price points. Economic challenges continue at the high end. Also, consumers are becoming more aware of the category through more attention From consumer magazines, home makeover television shows and national accounts' Advertising blitzes. Homeowners are investing in outdoor living spaces with hopes of Adding to resale value. It's not only for the wealthy in weather-perfect areas, but has

Trickled down to include average households.the low end of the outdoor living market is rarely found now in specialty retail shops, but moves through mass merchants and warehouse clubs. But it's not just at the low end anymore. Merchandising and products at the big box stores are getting better.

“People don't have enough leisure time, They want to make sure that when they do Get outside, the setting is something they Can really be comfortable in.”

–Carol Christensen, Patio Director for Waterloo Gardens

Outdoor furniture materials

Patio table: shift! The look of patio tables is changing, too. Glass table tops are falling out of favor, Replaced by materials including plastic laminate, all-weather wicker and resin Fashioned to mimic such substances as hand-cut stone, tile and slate. A tabletop from Winston, a division of brown jordan, is made of granite set into resin to allow for expansion and contraction without cracking, dovel said.

Accents: colorful

This upscale trend has moved into patio furniture and accessories.Resin sales have been flat as consumers trade up to now-affordable Aluminum and wrought-iron sets, many of which have colorful Accents. Gracious living expanded into resin banquet tables and earth-tone hues that mimic wood or sandstone. Berkeley, meanwhile, Debuted several patio sets composed of a granite-resin mixture that Featured hand-painted accents or mosaic insets.

Outdoor furniture fabrics and colors

Maffei Toolan said outdoor fabrics have become more sophisticated, and sees two clear color stories.

The first includes rich tones that coordinate nicely with rattan and woven. This also includes a british colonial theme with blacks, khakis and teastain colors, as well as chocolate brown, reds and sage. The second is an island motif,with paisley, tropical and exotic patterns to achieve a “botanical look,” perhaps with rhododendron and fern designs as well. A printed solid, st. Croix, was also introduced.Like a grass cloth, st. Croix is a printed texture that makes a perfect anchor with all of the mentioned motifs.

Motifs:

• Paisley
• Quatrefoil
• Gothic arches
• X back

Nature:

• Leaves
• Florals
• Corals
• Island motifs
• Tropical and exotic patterns

Textures:

• Rattan
• Woven
• Large scale weaves
• Caning patterns
• Multi-tonal woven