In the best outdoor design projects, the quality of the outdoor furniture chosen for various outdoor furnishing scenarios is measured through its unique stylistic features and aesthetic potential, but above all, by evaluating the durability and technical performance of their materials.
Every designer, interior designer, and architect knows how important it is to make a targeted selection of furnishings made with resistant and high-performance materials.
Only in this way will it be possible to create an extremely pleasant atmosphere that is always beautiful to look at, fresh, and welcoming.
In this article, we will show you the most resistant outdoor materials that are the most suitable for creating outdoor furniture elements.
The 9 most durable outdoor furniture materials
To create a furniture composition capable of combining an aesthetic presence and functionality, it is necessary to select high-quality materials with high performance.
Below, we will show you the most durable luxury outdoor furniture materials to choose for your design project:
- Natural materials
- Synthetic materials and metals
Let's look further into these categories.
Natural materials for sheltered outdoor areas
Rattan
Rattan is a precious material of natural origin that comes in the form of a reed. It is imported from Southeast Asia and, after careful selection, is used in the production of furniture structures.
The main characteristics of this material are:
- Elasticity
- Flexibility
- Lightness
The rattan reed is bent by heating it over a fire.
Rattan can also be painted.
Wicker
Wicker is obtained by drawing the internal part of the rattan into different diameters, in a round or flat-oval version.
Wet and subsequently woven exclusively by hand, it allows us to create textures with the most varied designs. Wicker can also be colored through special painting processes.
Parchment
Parchment is a precious material of natural origin with great resistance, obtained from untanned animal skin that is cut into thin strips to be woven.
It is used both for binding, with decorative value, and to give life to large textures. It is suitable for coloring, and applying a fixative enhances its aesthetics and resistance, protecting it for a long time.
DFN proposes Natural Rattan by Dolcefarniente: a collection of outdoor furniture that shows the value of "handmade" production. It allows you to create a natural finish furnishing scenario with dense and precious textures that arise from the skilled hands of craftsmen.
To preserve its beauty and durability, it should be used in sheltered environments such as verandas and porches away from rain and direct sunlight.
Synthetic materials and metals for completely open areas
Synthetic fiber
Over time, in order to respond to the growing market demand for elegant furnishings that last over time, new synthetic materials have been developed. These materials combine the appearance of natural fibers with the performance of a material that can remain outdoors.
The furnishings made of synthetic resin have an internal aluminum structure to guarantee lightness and strength at the same time.
The synthetic resin that covers the structures is a one-of-a-kind material. It does not fear atmospheric agents or discolor from UV rays; it resists intense as well as low temperatures and is not affected by salt, chlorine, mold, or parasites.
Combined with the simple maintenance it requires, these features make it perfect for prolonged use in outdoor environments.
Cushions and fabrics
Ensuring a relaxing and welcoming stay outdoors should be the main objective of every architect and designer who is setting up outdoor spaces.
To ensure all-round comfort and aesthetics, select cushions and fabrics suitable for outdoor use. Today, there is a wide range of proposals on the market that perfectly reproduce the fine fabrics used in indoor environments, such as chenille, linen, and satins, that are now designed to be used outdoors.
We advise you to always opt for completely removable cushions to allow for washing and choose fabrics with water-repellent properties, resistant to the sun’s aggression, moon rays and bad weather, chlorinated or salt water, stains, and mold.
Protective covers
To ensure greater protection during periods or moments of non-use, we suggest that you cover each piece of furniture with a special protective cover made with certified technical materials that are waterproof and breathable. The cover is an indispensable element designed to protect furnishings so that they are always clean, beautiful, and comfortable.
Metals
Iron
Solid, compact, and extremely durable, iron subjected to specific treatments (cataphoresis) and made unique by the use of paints with excellent technical characteristics (powder coating), allows for different color solutions that last over time.
Iron combines functionality and style into a single combination, ensuring the creation of unique furnishing proposals, ideal for setting up refined outdoor spaces.
Aluminum
Extremely versatile, aluminum can be extruded or cast into any shape or design. Favored for its lightness and strength, aluminum is often used for the internal structures of furniture.
It requires minimal maintenance, does not rust when exposed to high or low temperatures, and is light, so it can be covered with other materials that give an elegant and comfortable look to the furniture.
Steel
Steel is the quintessential symbol of durability, sobriety, and elegance. Powder-coated galvanized steel is the best option for making furniture such as outdoor kitchens, given its high resistance to atmospheric agents.
Thanks to their durable and extremely versatile nature, in purely aesthetic terms, iron, steel, and aluminum combine technical qualities with aesthetic potential in a perfectly balanced combination, ideal for those looking for luxury outdoor furniture with a modern look that can last over time.
Design and performance: choose the most durable outdoor furniture materials for your project
In the design of high-profile outdoor furniture, design and functionality play a fundamental role in defining the furnishing atmosphere in terms of aesthetic potential and comfort.
Precisely for this reason, in this article, we have shown you the technical and aesthetic characteristics of the most resistant outdoor materials to guide you in a selection process aimed at your project and your client’s needs.
Looking for luxury outdoor furniture collections that know how to combine style and performance? If so, we invite you to study the Sublime Collection by Dolcefarniente, a collection of furniture that, thanks to its refined design and the wise use of precious materials, can outline environments with a glamorous and sophisticated concept. This collection expresses luxury by choosing distinctive finishes such as pearlescent paints, chromed details, and semi-precious stones.