Best outdoor furniture for your garden, patio or balcony

Best Outdoor Living: the finest outdoor furniture for your space

We’re yet to build our dream villa by the Med, but, of course, we’re already collecting the best pieces to furnish it with, chosen from the latest outdoor furniture launches.

Best outdoor furniture of the year

First up, we have our eyes on Stephen Burks’ nest-like ‘Kida’ hanging chair for outdoor specialist Dedon, designed to allow users to feel ‘as free as the breeze’. Its sturdy aluminium rod frame is wrapped in cords of weather-resistant Fibre Touch, a synthetic, recyclable fabric used in three striped colourways.

Another excellent seating option includes London-based designer Michael Anastassiades’ ‘Ringer’ armchair for Kettal, part of a first joint collection referencing both the traditional game of horseshoes and a minimal approach to café furniture. The chair’s armrest comes with a slight flaring on the opening, designed as a subtle invitation to occupy the seat, and echoing the traditional Chinese Horseshoe Back chair.

Top, ‘Calipso’ sofas by Ilaria Marelli for Ethimo. Above, ‘Echoes‘ armchairs by Christophe Pillet for Flexform

And there’s more: Ilaria Marelli’s pebble-shaped ‘Calipso’ sofa for Ethimo, which levitates on a large floating teak base and allows for flexible cushion arrangements, suitable for both siestas and fiestas; as well as Christophe Pillet’s rustic-chic ‘Echoes‘ armchair for Flexform. Woven out of fine matt polypropylene cord (in natural, ice, straw or anthracite), the armchair is intended as a soothing blend of Mediterranean and Scandinavian style.

‘Sparkler’ rechargeable lanterns by Kensaku Oshiro for Poltrona Frau

Other favourites include Kensaku Oshiro’s family of portable and rechargeable lanterns for Poltrona Frau, inspired both by amphoras and rice paper lamps. The eye-catching designs, called ‘Sparkler’, come in all shapes and sizes (including table, floor and standing versions), all with a practical horseshoe-shaped handle. They would look right at home placed on Paola Navone’s ‘Sunset Lounge’ table for Exteta, featuring a circular marble top supported by an exquisitely carved wooden base.

‘Norma’ outdoor kitchen by Rodolfo Dordoni for Roda

Last but not least is Rodolfo Dordoni’s ‘Norma’ outdoor kitchen for Roda, developed in collaboration with Italian appliance manufacturer Ilve. It’s a modular system, comprising two freestanding modules – one with an extendable table – with tops made from sintered Lapitec stone. It’s so elegant we might get one for indoors, too. §