A HOME AMONG THE GUM TREES

From outdoor sofas to alfresco dining, occasional chairs and tables, plush ottomans and even snazzy bar carts, outdoor living has never looked and felt so good

- Carrol Baker

New-look outdoor furniture is all about creating warm welcoming spaces you’ll want to enjoy with family and friends. There’s greater emphasis on sourcing quality furniture, beautiful fabrics and finishes, and improved design flexibility in furniture pieces, as well as fresh new colours and styles.

It all begins with the design layout to help you source the appropriate pieces. A well-considered outdoor space invites you to pull up a chair, put your feet up and relax. Aidan Mawhinney, director of Living Edge, says to begin with, decide on a focal point. “This will anchor your outdoor space, be it a sun lounge, a bench or a dining table, then build from there to create spaces that foster social interaction, relaxation or entertaining, depending on your lifestyle needs.”

LOUNGING ABOUT

Who would have thought a decade ago that a lounge would be part of the layout of many exterior entertaining spaces? Not only is the outdoor sofa very much in demand, it’s a key player in creating a relaxing outdoor space. New-look outdoor sofas are comfortable, robust and very easy on the eye, with wicker and aluminium, as well as galvanised steel, very much on trend. The look is slimline, opulent and elegant. Cosy plush deep seating, and a neutral colour palette is a popular look.

CJ Cornish from Cosh Living says her favourite piece of furniture right now is the Senja sofa by Tribu. “It is a modular outdoor sofa with almost limitless combinations. Comfortable, stylish, flexible and upholstered in Melbourne — it ticks all our boxes,” she says.