Designer Outdoor Furniture in Australia: What to Look For Before You Buy

Guide  /  Designer Furniture

Designer Outdoor Furniture in Australia: What to Look For Before You Buy

Good design gets the first look. Good engineering gets you through an Australian summer.

Outdoor Furniture Ideas  ·  5 min read

Two routes to the same goal: Italian moulded resin and Belgian aluminium and rope.

Designer outdoor furniture is furniture where a named designer or design house has shaped the form, the materials are engineered for the outdoors, and the maker can show independent proof it holds up. If a piece has only the first of those three, it is styling. If it has all three, it is the kind of furniture you buy once. This guide shows how to tell the difference, compares two designer labels we carry, and gives you a checklist to use in any showroom or online store.

No. 01

What makes outdoor furniture "designer"?

The word gets used loosely, so use these five checks instead of the label:

• A real design origin. A named designer, studio or manufacturer with a track record, not a generic catalogue range.
• Materials chosen for the outdoors. Engineered resin, powder coated aluminium or woven rope that is made to live outside without seasonal treatment.
• Independent testing. Look for a named test body and a named standard, not just the word "commercial".
• A finish that suits Australian conditions. UV, salt air and summer heat are what age outdoor furniture, so ask how the material copes with all three.
• Someone to talk to after you buy. A supplier who can confirm what is available, what the lead time is and how to care for each material.

No. 02

Two designer labels compared: Nardi and Pebl

Both labels below sit at the design led end of what we sell. They solve the same problem in different ways.

See the full ranges: Nardi outdoor furniture and Pebl outdoor furniture.

No. 03

Which material suits which outdoor space?

Resin and technopolymer

The practical choice for dining chairs, bar stools and anything that gets moved around. Good resin is engineered to hold its colour outdoors and wipes clean. Browse resin outdoor furniture.

Aluminium

Light, rust resistant and easy to restack, which suits dining settings and balconies. Browse aluminium outdoor furniture.

Rope

Woven rope over an aluminium frame gives a softer look than hard resin and works well for lounges. Browse rope outdoor furniture.

Sunbrella and fabric lounges

For upholstered, fabric led lounge seating, look at Sunbrella outdoor furniture.

Choosing by space

• Dining area: start with outdoor chairs and outdoor tables, then pick a matching set from outdoor dining sets.
• Lounge area: compare outdoor lounges by seat count and fabric.
• Pool or deck: sun loungers and pool furniture.
• Entertaining: outdoor bar furniture.
• Small space: balcony furniture.

No. 04

A buyer's checklist for designer outdoor furniture

• Who designed or made it, and where?
• What is it made of, and is that material made for the outdoors?
• Which independent body tested it, to which standard?
• What is the load rating, and does it suit how you will use it?
• How does it handle UV, salt air and heat in your location?
• What care does it need? (Ours: mild soap and water for most pieces. See our cleaning guide.)
• Is it in stock, and what is the lead time?

For a wider look at what suits Australian weather, read the best garden furniture for Australia's climate. To go deeper on one label, see is Nardi outdoor furniture worth it and what Nardi outdoor furniture is made of.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between designer and regular outdoor furniture?

Designer pieces start from a considered design, use materials engineered for outdoor use and can point to independent testing. Regular furniture often has none of the three, so the first sign of trouble is usually fading, cracking or rust.

Is Italian outdoor furniture worth it in Australia?

It can be, if the material is built for strong UV and the maker can show testing. Nardi, for example, is tested by CATAS to EN 581 contract grade and uses a UV stable resin engineered for Australian sun, coastal air and summer heat.

Does designer outdoor furniture need special care?

Not usually. Both Nardi resin and Pebl aluminium and rope are chosen to hold up outdoors without seasonal treatment. A regular wash with mild soap and water is the main job.

Can I buy designer outdoor furniture for a cafe or venue?

Yes. Nardi is rated to contract grade and available with trade pricing and bulk ordering. Talk to our team about your project.

How do I find out what is available and how long it takes?

Ask our team. For Pebl in particular we confirm what is available and the current lead time before you order.