Think back to 2016 and what the average garden consisted of in terms of garden furniture, and particularly its comfort levels. If you were lucky perhaps you had a permanent table and chair set, but it wasn’t uncommon to see plastic tables, fold-away chairs, and furniture generally only wheeled out for the occasional BBQ.
In contrast, today’s homeowners have shifted towards investing heavily in more elaborate garden furniture by way of pergolas, modular outdoor corner sofas, statement loungers that wouldn’t look out of place at a luxury Mediterranean resort, and more. The garden has become much more of an extension of our homes, particularly during the better weather.
A fork in the road
One significant event of the past 10 years of course was the pandemic, an event that completely rewired our relationship with our homes. Countless lockdowns forced people to utilise their space in new ways, and particularly any accessible outside areas. Gardens suddenly became an extension of the house, somewhere to stretch your legs, eat and even work.
When lockdowns came to an end and restrictions eased, people’s newfound appreciation for their outside spaces didn’t let up. Many continued to work from home in some capacity too, and as such the garden remained something to enjoy throughout the week.
A changing garden for a changing climate
Another aspect to consider is that we can enjoy our gardens more frequently and for longer durations due to changes in the UK’s climate over recent years. Progressively hotter summers and heatwaves becoming more frequent have contributed to the increased use of gardens. It makes the case that more elaborate and luxurious garden furniture can be a more justified expense for many as it will most likely be used more than perhaps it would have been in past decades.
With the hotter and more sunny weather comes the increased need for shade in the garden, something that has moved from being a nice-to-have to being essential. This is exactly why pergolas, parasols and shaded loungers, like our Savora shaded lounger, have moved from being niche items to more mainstream purchases.
Inside out
Times have changed and now that gardens are being used more than ever, buyers are looking to bring a little comfort outside. Comfortable outdoor furniture that mimics indoor luxury, with deep cushions, modular configurations, adequate dining heights, and made from durable and attractive materials.
Bali 4 Seater Dining Set
Sienna Sun Lounger Set
In an extension of this, materials have finally caught up with the ambition of modern garden furniture. All-weather fabrics, tempered glass tabletops and synthetic rattan are just a few of the modern materials that you can expect to find. A degree of weather resistance means furniture can be left in place outside, simply covered to protect from extreme elements. No more having to lug furniture in and out of the shed or garage.
There has also been trend of building rear open-plan extensions with full bifold or sliding doors which when opened create a seamless living area. This is further blurring of the line between indoor and outdoor space.
Entertaining culture
Modern gardens are versatile spaces used for entertaining more than ever before. Whether it’s BBQs or cocktails, they can be set up as multi-zone spaces with furniture fit for any occasion. Enjoy a morning coffee at the bistro set, an afternoon smoothie on a sun-lounger or evening drinks with a bar set.
To coincide with the boom of the types of garden furniture available for entertaining, there have been significant developments in outdoor cooking, with more sophisticated BBQs and speciality apparatus like pizza ovens and smokers.
With squeezes on finances and the cost of living, entertaining at home is only bound to increase. On a related note, post-pandemic there was a rise in staycations, with fewer abroad holidays occurring. Whilst overseas travel has regained some momentum, the cost of living and disruption to air travel have kept pressure on family holiday budgets.
One solution people are turning to is to bring that luxury resort feeling to their own homes; an even more appealing prospect given the sunnier weather that the UK has been experiencing in recent times. Standout, statement garden furniture pieces such as dining sets, sun-loungers and side tables, and even influencer-worthy shaded loungers are increasingly the key pieces of furniture included in these home-resort setups.
More than a trend
As you can see there are many factors that have contributed to the shift in how people are using their gardens today. The increased use, the weather, the type of use gardens are getting are all reasons why more people are investing in quality and attractive garden furniture. What was once perhaps seen as indulgence can now be considered simply as a logical response to how people live now and how they use and especially how they value their own outdoor spaces.