It’s that time of the year when we throw open our windows and doors and welcome in the warm weather. As we embark on a summer solace, we demand more from our patios and balconies. And if you come to think of it, several COVID-19-led lockdowns, urged us to spend more time indoors, thereby graduating our perception toward balconies and outdoor furniture from merely functional to a relaxing sit-out area. As people have started redesigning their outdoor spaces for more comfort, FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT) connected with leading outdoor furniture brands and designers to understand the trajectory and rising popularity of the outdoor furniture segment.
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The expectancy of outdoor furniture has progressed as an extra living quarter, a dining space or a quaint setting for morning teas and evening snacks. As Amruth Sampige, Co-Founder, Dash Square (that brings Ashley Furniture to India) explains, “There has been a considerable shift since the pandemic. The home, which earlier symbolised the interior, has now extended its meaning. People prefer small intimate gatherings in the comfort of their homes. Further, even in the outside sector rooftop restaurants, open spaces are preferred over closed spaces. These two components single-handedly contribute to the exponential growth (of outdoor furniture).”
Additionally, the outdoor furniture market is driven by several other factors including increasing disposable incomes, a desire for outdoor living spaces and a trend toward outdoor entertaining. Sandeep Sridhar, CEO, Home Canvas affirms, “The market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, with a focus on innovative designs and sustainable materials. Post-COVID, people are buying bigger spaces in small towns and those having WFH facilities have shifted their base to villages and small cities. They need outdoor furniture for their plush lawns and farmhouses.”
On similar lines, Amit Sawhney, Creative Director, Wicker World highlights that there has been a huge shift to mountain and beachside living, far away from the enclosed spaces of the urban jungle in the big cities. “We have seen a high surge in demand for indoor outdoor wicker furniture being made and shipped to holiday homes in the hills, seaside and riverside villas and apartments in Tier-II cities.” As people are prioritizing their outdoor environments more now, “Many have moved to calmer cities like Goa, Kochi, Darjeeling, Rishikesh, Udaipur, to name a few, where we have seen more demand for outdoor (wicker) furniture and inquiries for screened porches, gazebos and decks are also on the rise. In the cities, the trend for outdoor (wicker) furniture seems to be growing by the day as people are back to entertaining and socialising with friends and family.”
Additionally, government-led initiatives to promote the usage of open spaces and high investments to modify public spaces, parks, sports arenas and other areas may further increase demand for the outdoor furniture market. Bhavik Basoya, Creative Director, Ottimo (that is known to bring CPRN Homood to India) asserts, “Mixed and dual-purpose outdoor furniture is becoming popular in the Indian market as an effective way to deal with space. Diverse material furniture is also gaining traction in the outdoor furniture market as it has a unique look and stands out from the crowd.” In the residential sector, patio furniture is mainly used for balconies, terraces and gardens, while in the commercial segment, restaurants and hotels are the large buyers of this kind of item of furniture.
This article is a part of our exclusive article ‘Outdoor Furniture’ which is originally published in Furniture Design & Technology (FDT Magazine) April 2023 print issue. If you want to read the full article, please subscribe Furniture Design & Technology Magazine here:
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