Several of my favourite brands have unveiled new garden furniture ranges for 2024, and there’s plenty to appeal to fans of timeless, minimalist design. With summer on the horizon and the weather finally beginning to show signs of warming up, I thought it was time I shared a look at the launches that have caught my eye. There are modular outdoor sofa systems, versatile dining sets, pared-back benches, an IKEA bargain, innovative recycled materials and more. Just read on for details…
The ‘Embrace’ series & ‘Timbur’ outdoor bench from Carl Hansen & Søn
First up is Carl Hansen & Søn. Last month I shared one of their gorgeous outdoor furniture ranges, the ‘AH’ series, and now they’ve added another called ‘Embrace’. Created by Vienna-based design studio EOOS, it builds on the aesthetic of the existing indoor ‘Embrace’ sofas, chairs and tables, offsetting meticulous joinery with casual upholstery.
The centrepiece of the outdoor series is a circular dining table in three different sizes, inspired by the poetic dance of kites across the sky. Its teak top sits on a striking wire frame that takes its cue from a kite’s tether, with a crossed wooden base functioning as an anchor. The chairs, meanwhile, have soft curves and gently tapered legs, with the back and armrests connected by beautiful finger joints. They’re stackable for easy storage, and they can be used on their own or with slip-on water-resistant cushions featuring visible seams at the sides. The overall expression is relaxed and lightweight, and the table almost looks as if it’s floating above the ground.
Also new from Carl Hansen & Søn is the ‘Timbur’ outdoor bench. It’s the work of Icelandic designer Gudmundur Ludvik, who has challenged the balance between simplicity and exclusivity by keeping details to a bare minimum. The result is solid yet elegant and showcases the natural structure of the teak. The generous armrests can function as side tables for cups and small plates, and the backrest is subtly curved for enhanced comfort. A matching water-resistant seat cushion is also available.
Both the ‘Embrace’ outdoor series and ‘Timbur’ bench are available to order now, with the ‘Embrace’ chair starting at €547 / £501, the table at €972 / £892 and the bench at €1,459 / £1,359.
The ‘Tradition’ series from Fritz Hansen
New from Fritz Hansen is ‘Tradition’, a pared-back, timeless and sophisticated modular outdoor lounge series by Danish designer Povl B. Eskildsen, who is known for his graphic simplicity. Made from durable teak, it consists of a lounge chair, corner / end and spacer modules, a pouf and high and low coffee / side tables, allowing for numerous configurations that can be adapted to individual spaces and needs. The wooden frames reference traditional spindle furniture designs, with gentle curves and seamless joints creating a graceful, fluid look. The back and seat cushions that sit on them are constructed from quick-dry open-cell foam and upholstered in a weather-proof, mildew-resistant fabric. They come in a choice of beige or grey.
The ‘Tradition’ lounge series is available now, with prices ranging from €949 / £949 to €2,799 / £2,699 per module.
The ‘Thorvald’ & ‘Ville’ series from &Tradition
&Tradition has two new outdoor series for 2024, the first of which is ‘Thorvald’. Designed by Space Copenhagen, it was both inspired by and named after renowned Danish neo-classical artist Bertel Thorvaldsen. His mastery of form and rhythmic lines is reflected in the sculptural shapes, while the grid-like seats and steel frames are nods to the mosaic floors and repetitive structures of Copenhagen’s Thorvaldsen Museum, built in 1848 to house his works and modelled on the architecture of Ancient Greece, Egypt and Pompei.
The ‘Thorvald’ series encompasses a lounge chair, a side table, stackable dining chairs with and without armrests, and cafe and dining tables in various shapes and sizes. All are available in a choice of three colours, ‘Warm Black’, ‘Bronze Green’ and ‘Ivory’, and seat pads can be added for extra comfort.
&Tradition’s other just-launched series is ‘Ville’ by Norwegian design duo Anderssen & Voll. Combining solidity and softness, it consists of a side chair, an armchair, a dining table and a bench in two sizes. All are intended to help users savour the tranquil beauty of the natural world, with clever details that enhance comfort and functionality. The chairs, for example, have flexible seats and backrests made from polyester webbing that adapts to body temperature, meaning they invite lingering no matter what the climate. Wooden armrests then provide a visual link with the benches and table, which have teak tops on sturdy steel bases. Each piece comes in ‘Warm Black’ or ‘Bronze Green’, and the chairs are stackable for maximum versatility.
Recycled teak furniture from Tine K Home
Danish brand Tine K Home is already known for its rustic-chic bamboo outdoor furniture and it has now added a solid teak series to its collection. Made from recycled wood originally used for building projects in Indonesia, it includes a dining table, dining chairs with removable seat pads, a bench, two sizes of lounge table, and cushioned sofa and lounger modules that can be used on their own or configured in all sorts of different ways. All can be left untreated, meaning they will acquire a beautiful silvery-grey patina over time, or finished with wood oil to preserve their original colour. The cushions, meanwhile, are covered with a weather-resistant fabric and made from quick-dry foam that allows water to pass through and drain out via a net at the bottom. I particularly like the mix of clean lines and chunky, rounded forms, and the way signs of past use have been left on the teak to show its history and character.
The teak series is available now, with prices ranging from €540 to €2,324.
The ‘Bit’ series from Normann Copenhagen
Also made largely from recycled materials is Normann Copenhagen‘s ‘Bit’ series, which is expanding to include a lounge chair, a side table, a coffee table and a bar stool / pedestal in two different heights. All are constructed from 85-95% industrial and household plastic waste using a rotational moulding technique, which enables repeated reuse and reheating without compromising the material’s properties to ensure a circular lifecycle for years to come. The resulting pieces combine minimalist shapes with a gently playful edge and a distinctive terrazzo-like appearance, and come in a choice of black or white. They’re suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments, with their robust construction and substantial thickness meaning they can withstand heavy use, wet weather and temperatures ranging from -10°C to +50°C.
The new ‘Bit’ additions will be available from 6th May, with prices starting at €220 / £200.
The ‘REVSKÄR’ conversation set from IKEA
Finally, IKEA has launched ‘REVSKÄR’ – a garden set with everything you need to create a comfortable outdoor lounge area for entertaining and relaxing. Available in black or grey, it consists of a two-seater sofa, a coffee table and a chaise-longue with an integrated side table for drinks, books and snacks. The table tops feature solid acacia-wood slats, which contrast beautifully with the dark upholstery and steel frames. The cushions are water-repellent and fade-resistant, and the covers can be removed and machine-washed. Best of all, it’s great value, with prices starting at just €596 / £549 for the entire set.
If you want more ideas for pared-back, timeless garden furniture, take a look at my round-up of the best minimalist outdoor sofas and lounge chairs.
All photography via the respective brands above
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