5 of the Best: our favourite outdoor products!
The summer has been pretty lovely this year, and we hope September and October will offer us just the right amount of sunshine to forget that the summer has ended! Whether you're already looking for the best pieces of outdoor furniture for next year, or getting ready to catch every bit of sunshine this autumn, we've rounded up for you our most popular outdoor items.
1) Sun loungers - the best way to rest outdoors!
Sun loungers and sun decks are undoubtedly an all-time favourite, as they are half-way between a chair - which may feel a bit formal for taking a nap in the sun (or in the shade) - and a daybed - which invites you to do a bit more than just soaking up the sun (there's nothing wrong with that, mind you, but it's not the same)! We have lovely loungers for all tastes and needs, from the sophisticated Escape Sunbed by Cane-Line to the cheerful Snooze chairs. If you're looking to give your outdoor space an inviting look, a sun lounger is definitely one way to do it, and we're sure you won't want to leave your garden again!
2) Benches – more than just sitting!
Chairs sure are great, but we do feel benches have a friendlier feel to them, and are great for informal seating and gathering: a bench allows you to lie down and doze off, or to sit as close as you like to your loved one(s). All you need is to find the right bench for your needs and personality. We're sure it won't come as a surprise if we tell you we have benches that make a statement, will it? This is the case with the Paloma bench by Serralunga, for which the Italian manufacturer mixed art and usability to create an illuminated, dove-shaped bench. Did you know the Paloma bench even caught the eye of the Financial Times? If you like your benches to look a bit more classic, other customers' favourites include the elegant Louisiane bench and the timeless Luxembourg bench, both by French manufacturer Fermob.
3) Bistro tables – stylish, useful and colourful
If you have a small garden or a balcony and are looking for a reasonably-sized metal table, the Bistro table by Fermob is just what you need. You can use it as a romantic dinner table or even as a side table, and it can help you bring an extra splash of colour to your garden or balcony, since it's available in all 24 of Fermob's colours. Available in 4 different sizes, the Bistro table can accommodate from 2 to 8 diners.
4) Garden hoses – where style and design meet gardening
You probably won't need these much this winter, but the great thing about our designer garden hoses is that there is no season to be stylish, and whether you use them to water your plants or just as decoration, they look fabulous! These not-to-be-missed garden accessories are available in pink and gold if you like bold colours, or in black and grey if you prefer your garden hoses a bit more toned down. Don't forget to mix and match garden hoses, nozzles and wall mounts (and maybe adopt the elegant reindeer wall mount!)
5) Extending tables – clever and modular
It's hard to imagine a garden without a table, but sometimes you just don't have the space to get the type of family-friendly tables your parents or grand-parents had when you were a child. However, if you do like to have friends and family around, but still want to use your outdoor area for other things, think modular: extending tables such as the contemporary-looking Biarritz extending table can accommodate from 10 to 14 people. Fermob also offers similar tables in other ranges: the Costa extending table with its crisp lines, which extends from 160cm to 240cm to welcome up to 10 people, and the very elegant Romane table, which boasts the same length as the Biarritz table - 200cm, becoming 300cm when extended (don't you love those legs? They're made of solid steel). Thanks to these clever tables, you still have the capacity to invite many people, but it doesn't take up all your space.
We'd love to know which pieces of outdoor furniture would make your Top 5, so feel free to tell us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+! And if you've seen anything you fancied or if we piqued your curiosity, don't hesitate to contact us and we'll be happy to be of assistance.
- 19th September 2014
