Since COVID-19 shook up our world, we find ourselves spending more and more time at home. However, sitting in the same old four walls of our bedroom can become quite boring, and sometimes the only fresh air we really get is when we step out into our yards. Although we shouldn’t underestimate our backyards, they can be locations of major fun, recreation, and relaxation…depending on how we do them up! Adding a few pieces of cozy and interesting outdoor furniture pieces can really transform our yards. From an outdoor kitchen + bar to a cozy revamped hammock – we’ve curated a bunch of exciting furniture designs that will completely liven up your yard! You don’t need to step out of your home to have a good time now. Enjoy!
1. The Bungalow Luggage
Whether you’re backpacking, planning on fishing, or just want to spend time at the lake, foldable and easy-to-carry furniture is definitely going to be on your top priority list. A collapsible furniture range that is relatively luxurious, ultra-lightweight, and packs up into a travel trolley you can tote after you; the Bungalow Luggage by designer Eunsol Lee sets a stage for unique camping experiences.
Why is it noteworthy?
There is no dearth of foldable camping chairs and tables out there. You could even pick a set of table and chairs off the shelf but this idea of a portable furniture set has its own merits. Unlike the other metal rod collapsible furniture for the outdoor, this one designed for National Geographic is convenient to transport. Just fold up the two chairs and the table into their bags and the trio sits evenly inside a suitcase you can lug along. This ease of portability also comes in handy when you want to fit the furniture in the boot of the car.
What we like
- Packed in a travel trolley-style sturdy case
- The metal spokes aligned as hollow table legs become the base for a wooden plank tabletop
What we dislike
- No complaints!
2. The Threefold
This modular furniture brings to the users a lounger they can lay back on with support, or it can instantly transform into a low stool for the aged who cannot sit cross-legged on the ground. And when you want to keep your food or a board game you’re carrying along, the Threefold can become a sturdy table. A perfect companion for picnics and camping, the Threefold construction is supported by stretchers and is safe and secure to use.
Why is it noteworthy?
There is frankly no dearth of adaptable furniture for picnics, camping, and outdoor events, but the Threefold presents its own use case, courtesy of its incredible versatility and effortless, timesaving flip in form. This is essentially true since the traditional mats we carry to the outdoors are limited in form. The fabric mats would offer more comfort, versus a semi-wooden mat as the Threefold, however, it has limited application. If you’d have realized, it excludes a section of users who cannot sit on the ground from convenience and comfort, compelling you to carry an additional folding chair. The conceptual Threefold outdoor furniture here extends adaptability to each individual’s needs in one useful unit.
What we like
- Transforms into a lounger, stool, and coffee table
- Safe + sturdy design
What we dislike
- Not very aesthetically pleasing
3. Gravitas
This new line of outdoor furniture is called Gravitas and the look and design is basically “grated”.
Why is it noteworthy?
It looks sturdy enough to survive strong winds, rains, and snow, although the steel material might make it a little too hot for when the sun is well and truly up during summer. The galvanized grating design for these “all-weather all-rounder” pieces of furniture is perfect for a garden, a patio, or the backyard outdoor seating for a cafe or restaurant with an industrial look or theme.
What we like
- Sturdy and foolproof body
- Weatherproof
What we dislike
- Not the most aesthetically pleasing design
4. The Outlaw Bike
What if you could ride to work on a bike and disassemble it at the destination to reassemble it as an armchair to sit on in the meeting room? It is not easy for industrial designers to create a product disguised as a completely different idea. This is how the Outlaw Bike was born in Brazil though. We can argue, and you will read further why, that the bike is designed as an awareness campaign against the Brazilian tax regime, but it is in fact a project that will have many minds latching onto the idea for industrial gains.
Why is it noteworthy?
The bicycle, a design by Cardoso Cycles for a collaborative awareness drive by Talent Marcel and Bicycling Magazine, can be disassembled instantly to be assembled into an armchair and a table. The idea is to draw the Brazilian tax authority’s attention to the tax burden that affects sales of bicycles in the country.
What we like
- The furniture or bike are made from the same parts and same material. It’s only that they are assembled differently
What we dislike
- The design might seem unnecessary to some
5. The OO Stool X Plasticiet
Meet the OO Stool X Plasticiet. The limited-edition series is a fresh take on the flat-pack stool. It’s a more sustainable version as it is made of plastic waste.
Why is it noteworthy?
The OO Stool X Plasticiet can be flat for packaging and transportation. It can also be considered by Ikea like the original OO stool. The latter was also considered environment-friendly as it was made using CNC from different kinds of materials like wood, bamboo, plastic, single board, and reclaimed doors.
What we like
- Flat-pack design
- Beautiful colorful pattern
What we dislike
- No complaints!
6. The Tripster
Dubbed the Tripster, this unique portable chair from Trippy Outdoor is a convenient little piece that you can stash in your garage or the back of your car and pop out whenever you need it!
Why is it noteworthy?
I had to stop myself from calling the Tripster a foldable chair because honestly, it doesn’t really fold. Built with a unique yet incredibly simple assembly mechanism, the Tripster effectively plugs in and out, going between what’s essentially a comfortable high-back outdoor chair, and two easy-to-store pieces of wood.
What we like
- Creates a seating device that travels exceptionally well, and is a breeze to set up
- Lightweight form
What we dislike
- No complaints
7. Aeri
Meet Aeri, an inflatable canopy that you can carry anywhere inside a backpack, and inflate in 3 minutes with the press of just one single button. Aeri helps you effortlessly set up a canopy or an outdoor shelter in an instant. Designed to be used for recreational outdoor use, Aeri can easily be carried to the beach, campsites, the park, or even your backyard. It uses a four-pillar arch design that provides the perfect shelter against sun, wind, and rain, and its entirely inflatable design runs on a rechargeable air pump that can be operated independently by a single person with zero assistance.
Why is it noteworthy?
The patent-pending inflatable shelter fits into a moderately sized backpack, and when unfolded, can comfortably provide a 10ft x 10ft shelter to an entire family or a group of 5-6 people. Its UV-blocking fabric works wonderfully against the sun, creating a shaded sanctuary against harsh sunlight, and the fabric’s even waterproof, making Aeri ideal for rainy weather too. While Aeri doesn’t come with metal supports like traditional tents or canopies, it makes up for that with a clever arched architecture. The arched pillars create a rigid support structure that stays stable even in windy conditions, and if things get too out of hand, Aeri’s built-in tether system lets you hook it to the ground.
What we like
- Ultra-light
- Easily portable
What we dislike
- Unsuitable for extreme weather conditions
8. The Cercle
The Cercle’s frame is designed to perform everything from sitting, cooking, working, resting, or even sleeping. So, this two-wheeled paradise is all you need to be classified as a crazy 21st-century nomad who’s leaving virtually no carbon footprint during their solo exploration.
Why is it noteworthy?
If you notice closely, the circular frame of the bicycle holds the foldable day bed stands in the middle. The frame can be oriented for multiple functionalities – for example, for sleeping in the nighttime or as a chair for a comfortable working position or lounger in a picturesque location. Consequently, when it is time to hit the road, the lounge stand folds up to become a part of the bicycle frame for hassle-free pedaling.
What we like
- You can pitch a one-person tent around the bicycle frame for protection against the elements and nighttime cold weather
- Can be used for multiple functionalities
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. Convivium Mobile Bar
This modular outdoor kitchen – that includes a bar – is made from weather-resistant corten steel, similar to the brand’s other products for home and garden.
Why is it noteworthy?
Laid out beautifully for cooking and serving cocktails al fresco, this outdoor kitchen setup is equipped with an electric, gas, or charcoal grill and wooden cutting board to cater to the cooking needs. A kitchen is not complete without its washing area –Convivium Mobile Bar is fitted with a stainless steel sink that features pull-out taps, so the outright appeal and distinctive appearances of the design are maintained.
What we like
- You have the choice to choose different modules of Convivium Mobile Bar – you can select from the two sizes – the entire kitchen and bar setup or simply the kitchen area complete with the steel sink
What we dislike
- No complaints!
10. The Cacoon
The Cacoon is your hammock upgrade that you can hang from anywhere and instantly make it your cozy little zen space!
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed to feel like a hammock, but to give you the leisure and shade of a tent, the Cacoon is perfect for turning any space into an instant recreation and chill zone. The Cacoon is available in different colors as well as sizes, so you can choose between going solo, or chilling with your crew.
What we like
- Portable design
- Available in different sizes to accommodate your different needs
What we dislike
- No complaints!
