Outdoor Furniture Design Trends for 2012

Toward the beginning of every new year, futurists, trend forecasters and forward-thinking designers gaze into their crystal balls to see what they think the big trends for the next year will be.

We have looked at the global market and have sourced some of the key trends that you are likely to see in the outdoor furniture industry in 2012. Some are obvious, while others may surprise you.

Here’s our rundown of the five biggest trends in outdoor furniture for 2012:

Trend 1 – Nordic design takes centre stage

Expect to see the influence of Nordic design next year. The minimalist design ethos combines unpainted steel with grey-ish wood for a straightforward look that offers clean lines and a cool feel.

Trend 2 – Chunky weave wicker furniture FTW

With the rising popularity of larger balconies, expect to see chunkier furniture pieces. One of the key places where you’ll see this is in the chunkier weave wicker furniture that stockists will soon have on offer.

Trend 3 – Stone table tops set the tone

Advances in technology are allowing manufacturers to produce beautiful replicas of stone table tops using a durable faux-composite resin. The natural stone look is recreated by printing a high-resolution image on the surface of the material – the difference between these and real stone table tops are virtually indistinguishable.

Trend 4 – Keep on going green

No surprises here – green will remain a key trend throughout 2012. Consumers will increasingly demand eco-friendly products, so expect to see a marked increase in recycled and low-carbon footprint products at your local store.

Trend 5 – Speaking of green…

The environment isn’t the only thing benefiting from the green revolution. Next year’s big outdoor furniture colour is green – you’ll see this most obviously in metal furniture that will include bright laser-cut patterns for a look that fits superbly with an outdoor garden.