Being stuck at home during the pandemic really did teach us a few lessons. One, being, that you can actually do a lot at home, especially in your backyard! It definitely made us realize we shouldn’t underestimate our backyards, they can be locations of major fun, recreation, and relaxation…depending on how we do them up. You can turn your backyard into an ideal date spot for you and your partner, or host a barbecue party! We’ve curated a collection of furniture designs to help you transform these exciting ideas into a reality. These designs will turn your yard into the ultimate relaxation destination. We bet you won’t want to step out of your yard, once you introduce these furniture pieces to it. From outdoor furniture that is made from recycled plastic, but feels and looks like wood to a minimal Scandinavian outdoor chair that will weather over time – these furniture pieces will majorly transform your humble backyard.
1. The Bungalow Luggage
Whether you’re backpacking, planning on fishing, or 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 the stage for unique camping experiences.
Why is it noteworthy?
There is no shortage of foldable camping chairs and tables out there. You could even pick a set of tables 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 outdoors, 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 car’s boot.
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
- Seems uncomfortable for extended sitting hours
2. Bello! Bench
Fjetland designed the Bello! bench for the aluminum producer Hydro. And what was his muse for this piece? You got it right – pasta, or to be more precise penne rigate.
Why is it noteworthy?
Informed by the design and form of pasta, the Bello! bench is a versatile piece of furniture that can be used indoors and outdoors. It’s been created from nearly ninety percent recycled and hundred percent recyclable aluminum.
What we like
- The bench is inspired by a piece of penne rigate, which is responsible for its ridged and textured surface
- It can be customized and modified to incorporate tables, lamps, or chargers since it does not have an internal support structure
What we dislike
- The shape of the bench is opposite to what we usually have, ergonomically speaking, which makes it difficult for sitting comfortably and could lead to a slipping sensation.
3. Panama Banana
Inspired by tropical elements like the shape of a surfboard, the curvature of a banana, and the overall tranquil nature of a hammock, the Panama Banana is the perfect piece of furniture for outdoor lounging.
Why is it noteworthy?
It’s as comfortable as a hammock or sun chair, but rocks to and fro like a rocking chair, giving you an experience that’s sure to steal your entire afternoon and some more.
What we like
- Coated with a water-resistant wax, the rocking furniture is perfect for outdoor use, or even indoor use with an outdoor view
What we dislike
- There is no option for personal customization
4. Stack Stool and Combo Table
A stool and table collection that recently grabbed my attention is Nardi’s Stack stool and Combo table. Designed by Raffaello Galiotto, Italian furniture brand Nardi launched a stool and table collection that features a linear design complemented by strips of wood.
Why is it noteworthy?
Crafted from 100 percent recyclable regenerated polypropylene, the furniture collection has been designed to look like traditional timber furniture. Lightweight and sturdy, both the stool and table can be easily lifted, handled, and transported from one location to another. And the fact that it has the appearance of wooden furniture only adds to its list of pros!
What we like
- Looks like it’s been made from wood
- Occupy minimal space once they have been set aside and stored
What we dislike
- The resulting aesthetics of the collection are quite dull and boring
5. The Transforming Table
Sporting an industrial aesthetic with its powder-coated stainless steel and aluminum construction, the transforming table offers an environment that can quickly adapt to the owners’ needs.
Why is it noteworthy?
On the one hand, it functions as a standing table that creates an atmosphere conducive to quick discussions and meetings. On the other hand, it can also be a place for more relaxed conversations, with friends or families lounging over meals. You could, of course, also have only one side of the table opened with the two seats, leaving the other side free for wood, work, or other things.
What we like
- The top of the standing table opens up in the middle and folds backward to reveal benches that can seat two people on each side
What we dislike
- Transporting the table indoors and outdoors doesn’t seem too easy
6. The Böste Lounge Chair
Designed by Stefan Borselius for the Swedish furniture company Skargaarden, the Böste lounge chair is a minimal and sturdy lounge chair that is designed to weather over time
Why is it noteworthy?
The lounge chair is named after the designer’s hometown in Southern Sweden. It is inspired by the classic Westport Chair and is in fact, a Scandinavian version of it. The form of the chair is pretty unique, with the back and seat meeting at an interesting angle, which invites and welcomes users to sit in a gently reclined pose which is great for relaxing and socializing with family and friends.
What we like
- Features a separate footrest that allows users to lie down fully and comfortably
- Built using sustainably sourced teak
What we dislike
- Aesthetically quite similar to other outdoor chairs on the market
7. Plint
Italian design studio Pastina created Plint, a collection of urban furniture for Punto Design. Pastina describes Plint as “more than just a street bench”, and I wholeheartedly agree. The colorful and quirky pieces of this collection are a far cry from the dreary brown benches, we often see scattered around cities.
Why is it noteworthy?
Plint plays with diverse materials, geometrics, and visual perceptions, highlighting the interesting contrasts between them. This makes Plint anything but boring!
What we like
- The base is modular, hence allowing each piece to be used individually, or to be combined with other pieces to create compositions of various lengths
What we dislike
- The ridges on the surface helps trap dust easily, which is a problem for outdoor/public furniture design
8. Stump
Called Stump, the lighting design is a sturdy light designed to illuminate and light up the outside areas of the Island of Møn, although it would look great in your backyard as well!
Why is it noteworthy?
The light was designed specially to combat and reduce light pollution. Featuring the shape of a bollard, the lighting design features an oxidized cast iron body and a transparent cap.
What we like
- Includes a warm-toned and low-energy lighting fixture that emits a soft and radiant light
- Its sturdy structure can be used as a stool for people to lean on
What we dislike
- The intensity of the light cannot be increased in case you need a stronger light
9. 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
- Seems unstable in nature for those with a heavier body type
10. 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
- Extremely bulky and space-consuming design