The summer months are a wonderful opportunity to spend more time outdoors – including our balconies, terraces and gardens. Creating cozy and relaxing spaces requires proper arranging, and they key is well-chosen outdoor furniture that ensures comfort and pleases the eye.

Outdoor furniture is a special category of furniture intended for outdoor use and designed to endure rain, UV radiation or variable temperature. Not every armchair, chair or table will be suitable for the terrace or garden. While outdoor furniture is made of various materials – wood, metal or plastic – there are dedicated solutions worth opting for when furnishing outdoor relaxation zones. Below you will find our top picks among new products and brands to help you turn your terrace and garden into a true holiday oasis.

New inspirations

The founders of the Knoll company, Hans and Florence Knoll, have always offered their customers home and office furniture defined by modern, highly functional forms inspired by the ideas behind European and American modernism. Today, Knoll still combines modernist aesthetics with home coziness. Its catalog also includes outdoor furniture. Special attention should be paid to two brand’s classics: the Diamond Chair and the Lounge Chair.
Designed in 1952 by Harry Bertoi, the Diamond Chair is a unique study of space, form and function. It was made of bent metal rods, additionally covered with a nylon-based coating. Thanks to its modern design and soft lines, the chair has remained an extraordinary example of mid-century design. The outdoor version of the Diamond Chair comes without the upholstered side elements, and hence can also be used on the terrace or in the garden.

The Lounge Chair was created at the request of Florence Knoll herself, who needed outdoor furniture for her home in Florida. Richard Schultz designed a collection resistant to the harsh weather conditions prevailing on the ocean coast. He decided to use cast and extruded aluminum, which is additionally coated with a polyester powder coating. The seat and backrest are made of woven polyester mesh, additionally reinforced with vinyl. The Lounge Chair was created in 1966 and still sets a standard for subsequent generations of garden furniture.

In harmony with nature

Worth recommending is also furniture from the Swedish brand Skargaarden that draws primarily from the tradition and culture of Scandinavia mixed with the classic American shaker style or Bauhaus. Skargaarden’s pieces exude confidence-inspiring simplicity of form and character. They’re defined by true craftsmanship in the production and selection of materials and designed for short warm seasons in this part of Europe. Therefore – as their creators say – there is no room for compromise.
Skargaarden offers a full range of outdoor equipment – from sofas, armchairs and ottomans, through tables and benches, to pillows, rugs and lanterns. Their design is dominated by metal or wood and often characterized by massive forms and soft, upholstered seats that encourage relaxing in the sun. Many projects – e.g. the Asker or Bonan collections – are based on a modular system, allowing the user to individually decide on the final forms and sizes. This range will certainly appeal to those looking for comfy, natural solutions.

HAY – the voice of modernity

The Danish brand HAY has well and truly become part of Bakata’s offer. Clients especially value its exceptional sensitivity to the realities and needs of the modern world. The rich HAY portfolio also includes furniture for terraces and gardens.

Let’s take a look at the latest Balcony collection. New elements of the line designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec include: bench, chair, armchair and table. The simple shapes of the furniture soften the slender legs. The characteristic openings in the seats and backrests strengthen the structure and are also a distinguishing feature of the Balcony collection. The furniture is made of powder-coated steel and available in many colors and sizes, making it suitable both for small balconies and large terraces and gardens.
Another new piece designed by the Bouroullec brothers for HAY is the Élémentaire chair: a timeless concept based on the ideas of sustainable development. The chair is made of fully recycled polypropylene. Precise proportions and a clear profile give Élémentaire a charm needed to stand out on its own or complement other pieces. Soft seat cushions made of waterproof fabric make for an interesting addition to the chairs.

In the evenings, terraces, balconies and gardens can greatly benefit from portable lamps to ensure a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. One of out top picks is Apollo (designed by STUDIO 0405), made of a single piece of iridescent glass. Another lamp – Pao – is a product of cooperation between HAY and the Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa. Its modest and simple form harmonizes with plants and other natural elements. Both the base and the lamp shade are made of resistant polycarbonate with a smooth, glossy surface.

Outdoor furniture should be selected based on its material and functional adaptation to outdoor conditions. A well-chosen product with a unique design is sure to embellish any terrace, balcony or garden. Feel free to browse our offer or take advantage of the experience of our traders!