Why Choose High-End Outdoor Furniture

What many fail to understand is that luxury is often achieved through mathematical precision. Perhaps nowhere are these calculations more evidently applied than when it comes to outdoor furniture in the UAE, where the unforgiving climate can speed up the lifecycle of substandard outdoor furniture.

We often see clients hesitate before making a luxury outdoor furniture purchase, considering them to be of lower importance than their interior counterparts. Yet what makes more sense – purchasing a luxury item that lasts for decades or a cheaper alternative that starts fading within days?

Most of our UAE clients have stunning outdoor spaces lying completely unutilised despite their potential to serve as one of the most charming and impactful areas in the home – especially in the cooler (or at least relatively pleasant) months of the year. Well-furnished outdoors serve as the perfect spot for you to relax, reconnect with nature and make some great memories in solitude or in great company.

Over the years, the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces have begun to blur significantly. In UAE, where the climate allows for comfortable outdoor enjoyment for six to seven months a year, exterior spaces are now being treated as extensions of the home instead of a detached, functional area. 

To achieve an outdoor room that feels truly refined, approach it with the same thought and attention to detail as you would a drawing room or a formal lounge. Use outdoor furniture not on the basis of its labels and tags, but the thoughtful combination of practical materials, ergonomic design approach, and expert craftsmanship. These qualities ensure an excellent performance for longer periods of time.

The foundational challenge with creating exceptional outdoor pieces is the selection and usage of appropriate materials that are selected on the basis of performance.

Let’s consider the famous teak wood. We can observe many retailers selling ‘teak’ furniture, but high end manufacturers have the knowledge and resources to source their timber from plantations where the trees are allowed to mature for 40-50 years before harvestation. 

This slow growth achieves unparalleled grain patterns and a higher natural oil content – the very characteristics which make teak naturally resistant to water, humidity, UV damage and insect infestation. Instead of deteriorating with time, such teak will develop a distinct patina that only adds character. Commercially produced and sourced teak can never offer the same level of quality.

The mass-produced, lightweight aluminium frames that crowd every standard market for outdoor furniture sets have given the material a bad name in the past years. 

Today, aerospace-grade aluminum frames have found a new-found preference when it comes to modern outdoor furniture. Lightweight, sleek and sturdy, these specialised alloys are carefully selected for their higher magnesium and silicone content, finished in marine-grade powder coating. 

Contemporary outdoor solutions are not just about considering surface level aesthetics, but dive deep into material engineering for a comprehensive outdoor solution.

No category of luxury furniture is a stranger when it comes to the unparalleled quality offered by handcrafting techniques, and the same goes for outdoor furniture. You can observe the signs of expert craftsmanship through:

• Use of precise joinery techniques instead of adhesives, staples, or screws.
• Seamless, perfectly even powder coating.
• A sturdy weight signifying quality materials instead of hollow components.
• Perfectly aligned seams, grain patterns, and a focus on book-matching.  

The largest names in the world of outdoor furniture still employ artisans who are backed by years of training in traditional crafts and skills. Many have workshops where generations of craftsmen have been finely weaving weatherproof fibre into trending rattan outdoor furniture pieces. Their precision in creating perfect, long-lasting weaves and imperceptible transitions can simply not be matched by mass-producing machineries.

For furniture that is truly weather resistant, we need it to cover a range of characteristics that deal with climate-related challenges. For UAE’s climate, your outdoor garden furniture should have:

• Materials that have been thoroughly tested for long-term performance under intense UV exposure
• Textiles that perform for over 50,000 rub tests as oppose to the standard 15-20,000 requirement for indoor furniture
• Powder coatings that are resistant to both humidity and salinity – a must-have for coastal areas

The importance of these qualities becomes apparent when compared with high end outdoor furniture with its sub-standard counterparts. The former maintains a fresh look even after years of usage whereas the latter deteriorates in both appearance and structural integrity.

Another attribute associated with luxury outdoor furniture is its ability to offer a comfortable, ergonomic experience without the use of plush cushions and thick upholstering – which can sometimes compromise the piece’s weather resistance.

Quality outdoor furniture  manufacturers are well-versed in the world of ergonomic design:

• Use of subtle contouring that adjusts to your body’s natural curves, offering support for all the pressure points
• Structural frames that are slightly flexible to offer some relaxing movement when you’re spending long hours outdoors
• Suspended seating systems that are durable and structurally sound
• Foam that is intended for outdoor usage with its quick-dry, antimicrobial nature

Many clients are often surprised to notice that their luxury outdoor furniture piece’s comfort levels surpass even those of their indoor collections.

A well-curated home features a singular design story that echoes throughout the home in the form of colour palettes, design elements, materials and textures that complement each other. This sense of harmony must extend from the indoors to your outdoor space, making it feel as integral a part of your home as it deserves. This allows for a seamless transition and helps channel the comfort and luxury associated with your interiors.

To promote this sense of continuity, most premium manufacturers offer collections that span across both domains. Such outdoor furniture sets offer similar materials and proportions to their indoor counterparts while offering a more weather-resistant experience.

When it comes to exceptional outdoor furniture UAE clients prefer a combination of practicality and aesthetics that is served in the form of modular sets. Instead of fixed arrangements, these sets feature detachable components that can be reconfigured according to your requirements for different occasions. 

These versatile sets can be arranged to effortlessly entertain different settings such as:

• A formal dining arrangement to host large dinner parties
• Smaller conversational arrangements for relaxed cocktail gatherings
• Intimate private lounging for quiet moments spent with the family

This transient nature allows you to get your money’s worth from a singular investment in high quality outdoor furniture.

Beyond standard weather resistance, UAE’s climate calls for some specialised requirements for an optimum outdoor experience. Thoughtful outdoor furniture for Dubai and Abu Dhabi residences include:

• Heat-reflective surface treatments that allow a comfortable touch even in the direct sun heat
• Ventilated designs such as in rattan weaves that prevent heat trapping
• Sturdy yet lightweight construction that keeps the pieces mobile to facilitate seasonal arrangements
• UV-friendly materials that avoid deterioration even when stored up

Many clients choose to apply outdoor furniture covers during more extreme summer months, but even your covers need to be thoughtfully selected. The fabric should be microporous and UV-resistant to fight both moisture and heat. Most luxury manufacturers provide custom-fitted covers with their outdoor pieces instead of standardised options.

It’s highly important to know how to filter through the plethora of options out there, so keep these points under consideration:

Request detailed specifications regarding the materials used such as the specific alloys, species of timber and textile specifications instead of basic categories.

Delve into the deeper construction details such as the joinery techniques applied, weatherproofing efforts, joint reinforcements and more. Quality manufacturers are happy to provide the process details that a source of pride for them.

One of the most obvious indicators of a manufacturer’s confidence in their product is the warranty they offer. Where quality furniture is warrantied for five to ten years, mass-produced alternatives are covered for a couple years at most.

Do some research on the manufacturer’s  history and production priorities; are they solely focused on manufacturing outdoor solutions or did they just recently start exploring it as a side work. Undoubtedly, the former will outperform the latter.

Question the international standards and certifications that the products have been tested against, which provide a clear indicator of their quality. ISO or ASTM standards are commonly referenced by seasoned manufacturers.

1. Define priority spaces first – Instead of trying to furnish every inch of a large outdoor space all at once, start by working on focal areas that you plan on using more often.

2. Consider flexible pieces – Choose multifunction pieces such as seaters that double as tables, planters that double as night lights, etc to get better value out of them

3. Invest in seating before accessories – Accessorising is important, but focus on completing the bigger components such as quality seating and tables.

4. Request material samples – Test the sample materials in your intended outdoor environment instead of selecting them based on their showroom conditions.

Having observed the impact outdoor investments hold in improving a home’s atmosphere, improving clients’ quality of life, and transforming the outdoor experience, one thing is clear: premium outdoor furniture solutions are one of the most sound investments you can make for your home.

Beyond talking about investments, there is no price that can be put on the joy you feel watching bland, lifeless outdoor spaces transform into a charming, elegant spot that simply invites you for moments of quiet contemplation, meaningful conversations and getting in sync with nature.

When it comes to the charms of outdoor furniture Dubai, Sharjah and most major cities host residences that epitomise it. Using the right furniture and accessories is all it takes to make your outdoors turn into an Eden-inspired abode.

At FCI UAE, we have a collection of endless outdoor solutions that can elevate your exteriors. We know that outdoor spaces hold their own significance and are not to be treated as secondary considerations. Often, our clients find themselves enjoying their newly furnished garden, patio or backyard as the favourite part of their home.