Summer Outdoor Living Must-Haves

August 10, 2023
Summer Outdoor Living Must-Haves

The summer holidays down under are a time to rest and reset, and key to that is an outdoor space fit for lounging. From sun loungers to poolside furniture, outdoor relaxing chairs, sun umbrellas and more, at Design Warehouse we offer all you need to create your own at-home oasis.

Sun loungers: Living with style

teak sunlounger nz - Kuba with white cushions We are all spending a lot more time closer to home these days, and for the ultimate in summer loving, staycation chic you can’t beat a hotel-worthy sun lounger in which to soak up the rays in style. Whether your poolside or patio is Balinese style, Palm Springs or Riviera chic, a sun lounger is a summertime indulgence we can all make room for, no matter the size of your al fresco entertaining space.

A sun lounger is also a must-have piece of outdoor furniture that anyone can enjoy. It's where you can while away hours reading as you soak up the sun, or take your remote working situation outdoors with the help of your laptop, a shady spot and the perfect lounger to suit. And if lockdown has inspired you to spend more time in the garden, then a relaxing lounger is the investment you'll be happy you made even after the world at large returns to normal.

From contemporary loungers fit for a five-star resort, to quirky designs spotted poolside at a hip boutique hotel, sun loungers are the ideal way to transport yourself to a holiday location. Choosing the right sun lounger for you shouldn’t just be about your garden or patio’s measurements either. You’ll need to think about positioning to catch the best of those much-needed rays, and take some time to consider lifestyle, too. Do you want an adjustable lounger you can prop up, allowing you to get stuck into a magazine before lying it flat for a nap? Or would you be content with a structured style that’s designed for ultimate comfort, but less for an all-over tan?

Most sun loungers come as single day beds, but of course you can pair them up to suit your space. Some are even sold in sets of two complete with a handy in-between side table, adding a social element that begs a date with a friend. From the informal chaise lounge to the all-day lounger, Design Warehouse offers a plethora of beautiful and functional sun loungers, daybeds and sun beds that includes meticulously crafted teak day beds and teak steamer chairs. Each piece in our range of specialty loungers and relaxing beds is carefully designed so as to be the perfect mix of form and function, being as durable as they are a statement in style.

A-Grade teak as a premium material for outdoor living has a long and impressive history, and is the perfect choice for a sun lounger. It has always been the premium natural material for anything exposed to moisture, UV rays, or otherwise harsh environments, as its dense oils allow the wood to resist inclement weather, temperature changes, and damaging pests.

It will easily outlast other natural materials like other hardwoods and softwoods, and continues to look beautiful while performing. There are century-old marine teak park benches dotted all over Europe made from dismantled ships – a sure fire testament to the durability of the much-loved wood!

We love the Kuba Sun Lounger for its sense of space when lounging solo, while our Teak Double Sun Lounger is the perfect size for two. Just add a side table, ice bucket and chilled bottle of rosé and you have the perfect recipe for an afternoon by the pool.

In addition, the ample dimensions of all of our teak daybeds, stainless steel poolside loungers and Batyline® mesh loungers allow you plenty of room to relax and read a great book or enjoy a cool beverage, and their weather resistance takes a little of the worry out of New Zealand’s often inclement summer climes!

Trend-wise, Viro® and Ecoline® wicker outdoor materials are becoming more popular for loungers, both beautiful materials offering a stunning colour palette whatever your outdoor style. Our modern stainless steel and Batyline® sun loungers are a new take on sling-style furniture, giving you comfort along with chic staycay vibes.

Our Summer Stainless Steel and Batyline Sun Lounger is an essential piece, and looks spectacular dockside, on the deck or patio. The beautiful, slim and shapely 316 marine grade stainless steel lounger is covered in decadent, but versatile Batyline fabric, a stretchy but resilient fabric made for full-time outdoor use. The fabric works perfectly with the smooth, micro-polished look of the 316 marine grade stainless steel, a far superior alternative to lesser quality stainless steel grades (like the common 304). The comfort, incredible looks and versatility of this outdoor lounger make it a great choice, where cushions won’t be necessary, or where you truly want the most contemporary look.

The easy living poolside daybed

  summer outdoor must-haves

The Amalfi Teak Daybed is one of the most popular pieces in our teak deep seating collection, as it doubles for outdoor lounging and sunbathing by the pool in ease. Plush, comfortable Sunbrella® fabric covered cushions are also included; as with all our deep seating products. Made here in New Zealand and available in four chic shades, they are durable as well as comfortable and elevate the style of any piece they sit upon. The Amalfi’s 100 per cent Grade-A teak frame means that it is built to last, with a bold looking frame and timeless appeal. Add pieces over time to create your dream sectional, for even more space to lounge when you’re enjoying the sun.

Kingston 4 Metre Cantilever Umbrella (White)-0

Just add shade

Lastly, when it comes to the perfect sun lounging set up, you can’t go past a cantilevered umbrella that delivers shade all day long. Choosing a quality outdoor umbrella option that can either tilt or rotate ensures that you are protected from UV rays, no matter the angle of the sun. Our large cantilever umbrellas are ideal for adding extra protection exactly where it’s needed, and look absolutely stunning while doing so. The main benefit of modern cantilever umbrellas is that they can shade a large area without the obstruction that a central pole causes. Our Kingston Cantilever is an impressive 4m square and does a full 360 degree turn, so that you can lock the base in place by the pool and still have shade in a variety of areas.

  kuba outdoor teak club chair rear view

Summer outdoor must-haves and our new arrivals from Design Warehouse

If you’re looking for some stylish outdoor pieces for your summer in the sun, we can help. If you’re near our showroom, we’d love to host you for a tour of what’s on offer. Our pieces come fully assembled and can be picked up, ready to go from our distribution centre. Alternatively, we can ship your new pieces to anywhere, you might be using our astute delivery service.

Design Warehouse has been manufacturing and supplying luxury outdoor furniture to architects, designers, landscapers, hotels, resorts and private residences for over 25 years, so when we say we know what’s best for outdoor style… you can rest assured that we have the knowledge to back it up.

For more information, please call one of our qualified sales people at Design Warehouse for more information – we’d love to help, or for more inspiration see our Instagram feed

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