Outdoor furniture has come a long way from cheap plastic chairs and battered tables. Bold designs, playful colours and modern materials are giving hoteliers a world of options, says Jamie Knights
People flock to the Middle East’s hotels for numerous reasons, but one of the main drivers is the ability to be outside enjoying the region’s hospitality, the wonderful beaches and glorious sunshine.
Expectations are therefore high in terms of the type of furniture available in these outdoor spaces and the days of cheap plastic white chairs and wobbly tables are long gone — or at least they should be.
Hoteliers and outdoor furniture providers have therefore been charged with the task of coming up with new, exciting and durable products that cater to this demand. In turn, the outdoor furniture industry is brimming with new ideas and forward thinking hoteliers are embracing the changes.
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“The outdoor lines are acquiring substantial importance within the sector,” asserts area manager for Andreu World, Roberto Garcia.
“This has come about as domestic and professional consumers discovered they could significantly add to their existing spaces by using outdoor areas as well.”
Garcia says there has been a strong demand for multi-purpose furniture, but for others, the major trend has been a visual one.
“Straight lines and austere shapes are out — curvy and playful is hot!” enthuses owner of Desert River, Claudia van der Werf.
“A lot of buyers are looking to add a very specific touch to their outdoor areas. Instead of the non-offensive, but not very inspiring traditional square shapes in dark brown rattan, we are seeing an increased demand for elegant and colourful shapes. Some may opt for the full-on funky and brightly coloured look and furnish an entire area in this style, while others prefer to add just a few statement pieces to their terraces,” she says.
Abubakar Mohamed, project manager at Balchik General Trading says furniture design boundaries are being pushed: “We have an eclectic choice and shapes and styles are more bold and pronounced, while colour waivers through personal choices,” he explains.
Sales manager for Select Furnishings, Jonathan Warth, says the company has used these changes in taste and a desire for something different in its new ranges.
“Our design team is looking at comfort while coming up with the most popular shapes and giving them a twist,” he explains.
“This year, patio furniture sets have loosened up their lines, and the results vary from sensual to elegant, to pleasantly relaxed.”
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