5 New Furniture Styles You'll Love

Your porch, patio, deck, or backyard can be a spot prime for making warm weather memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you enjoy alfresco dining, cuddling up on a hammock with a good book, or socialising outdoors with friends and family, you should be aware of the many hot and upcoming outdoor furniture trends that are in vogue right now. Take a look at this list of ultra-hip pieces to grab as Summer 2016 rolls in!

1. Concrete Coffee Table

Concrete coffee tables are cutting edge and uber-trendy right now for indoor living rooms. This is due to their clean lines and contemporary feel. However, recently these pieces have graduated to the outdoor scene due to their incredible durability in all types of weather. You can even leave them out in the winter without risking any damage.

While the chic styling is appealing, you can contrast the industrial stylings of concrete coffee tables with chairs, lanterns, and umbrellas with bright colours, loud patterns, and soft textures. This juxtaposition has been the go-to style for a while.

2. Fire Table

Fire tables are the new and safer take on the old fire pits that many of us used to enjoy. They are powered by either propane or natural gas, and if you take the proper precautions, they are deemed to be perfectly safe. These tables provide you and your guests with a warm fire to take the edge off the cooler summer nights that many in the North are all too familiar with. No one wants to run inside after dark in mid-August when there is a good company to be had. Not to mention, these fire tables eliminate that slight chill in the air without guests having to smell the awful stench of burning wood while inhaling dangerous carbon monoxide fumes.

3. Chat Set

Not really in the mood to eat, play cards, or do anything that requires a large table? However, do you still want to hang with your family and closest pals in the shining sunlight? You may want to invest in what is called a "chat set." Chat sets are gatherings of comfy chairs arranged in a circle with tiny end tables for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Simply sit back and enjoy a glass of your favourite chardonnay and some hot-topic conversation with old friends. Or, if wine isn't your speed, how about a warm cup of coffee with your significant other as you watch the sunrise. You can make this your little outdoor breakfast nook.

These sets are also great for limited spaces, such as an apartment balcony, a poolside deck, or a small patio, where a larger table and chairs set would not fit, or seem awkward.

4. Hanging Pod Chair

Hanging pod chairs are a must-have this year. These seats are a modern take on the so-called "egg chairs" that were so popular in the mid-twentieth century. Like their predecessors, they appear similar to a bubble in shape and rounded out for comfortable seating. Unlike them, however, the contemporaneous versions hang from a narrow, but strong, stand. You may have seen these chairs before since they made a splash after their indoor debut just a few years ago, but now they been re-imagined as outdoor pieces.

While indoor variations hang from a room's ceiling, outdoor types can hang from trees, similar to a hammock, or from a porch's enclosure. Some of the more expensive models actually hang off of a stand that comes with the chair. Many people enjoy the lighter-than-air sensation that they get from cosying up on this inventive new seat.

5. Platform Seating

Platform seating is hot right now, and the best ting about it is that you can easily create the effect yourself with a bit of craftsmanship and elbow grease. Easily build a sturdy wooden platform along with a perpendicular side to be used as the chairs' backs. You can paint the platform or stain it, according to your preference. Add some colourful cushions – but make sure they are deep and fluffy because platform seating is extremely low to the ground. You can always change out the cushions to create a whole new look. Try a four-seat sofa, which can be reused as a daybed or chaise, or, if you have limited space, try a love seat for two.

While interior and exterior decorating trends change and morph over time, our love for our backyard remains. As the premier destination for entertaining and relaxing in the warm weather months, your outdoor environment should feel comfortable, yet appear crisp and modern. So, if you are looking for the "it" look to impress your guests, try modernising with the five trends listed above.

I'm a passionate writer about all topics. From health to 'How To' - I love it all. On the weekends I love spending time with my bicycle, looking after my garden and relaxing.