Designing the Outdoors: Luxury Outdoor Furniture and Lighting for Architects and Interior Designers

Posted by Default Admin (06 March 2026)

Outdoor spaces are no longer secondary to interiors. Terraces, courtyards, rooftop gardens and hospitality outdoor areas are now being designed with the same level of consideration, comfort and materiality as interior rooms. For architects and interior designers, this shift creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Clients increasingly expect outdoor environments to feel like a seamless extension of the interior design narrative. At the same time, outdoor furniture must withstand weather, temperature changes and heavy use while maintaining aesthetic integrity.

Why Outdoor Spaces Matter More Than Ever

In recent years, the way people use outdoor spaces has fundamentally changed.

Residential clients want terraces and gardens that function as living rooms, dining areas and relaxation spaces. In hospitality environments, outdoor areas have become key revenue-generating spaces where atmosphere and comfort are just as important as durability.

As a result, the expectations placed on outdoor furniture have increased dramatically.

Interior Designers now need products that deliver:

• Interior-level comfort
• Architectural design language
• Durable materials
• Flexible layouts
• Cohesion with indoor schemes

The brands we work with approach outdoor design with these principles at their core.

imgi 30 Slider 0 53079 outdoor table Borea 01

B&B Italia Outdoor: Sculptural Forms and Innovative Materials

Few brands have shaped contemporary furniture design as profoundly as B&B Italia. Their outdoor collections bring the same architectural thinking and material innovation that defines their interior pieces.

Rather than treating outdoor furniture as purely functional, B&B Italia approaches it as a continuation of modern architecture.

One of the most distinctive pieces in the collection is the Borea outdoor dining table, designed by Piero Lissoni. The table features a slender stainless steel structure supporting a glazed lava stone top sourced from Mount Etna. The surface is created through an innovative process that incorporates recycled glass from discarded television and computer screens, resulting in a durable and visually striking finish.

The Borea table forms part of a wider outdoor system that includes sofas, armchairs and occasional tables, allowing designers to create cohesive outdoor environments.

Other notable outdoor pieces include the Mirto collection, known for its light aluminium frames and refined mesh seating, and sculptural outdoor tables such as Tobi-Ishi, inspired by traditional Japanese stepping stones.

For designers & architects seeking clean architectural lines and contemporary materials, B&B Italia provides some of the most compelling outdoor furniture available today.

Contardi Outdoor Lighting: Bringing Interior Atmosphere Outside

Lighting plays a fundamental role in shaping how outdoor spaces are experienced after sunset.

Italian lighting brand Contardi has developed a reputation for producing decorative lighting that balances elegance with technical performance. Their outdoor collection is built on a simple philosophy: the same attention to detail that defines interior lighting should apply outdoors.

Contardi’s lanterns and outdoor lighting pieces introduce warmth, atmosphere and visual rhythm to terraces, gardens and hospitality spaces. Rather than purely functional illumination, their pieces create mood and architectural presence.

The collection includes:

• Portable outdoor lanterns
• Architectural outdoor floor lighting
• Decorative lighting for terraces and hospitality spaces

Each piece is designed to withstand outdoor environments while maintaining the refined aesthetic typically associated with interior lighting.

For designers working on hospitality projects or high-end residential schemes, Contardi lighting provides the finishing layer that transforms outdoor spaces from practical to truly atmospheric.

imgi 59 576259457 1643559530414258 1506447088486110898 n

Crassevig: Handcrafted Seating with Italian Craftsmanship

Founded in Italy and known for its exceptional woodworking tradition, Crassevig combines craftsmanship with contemporary design thinking.

The brand specialises in chairs, lounges, stools and tables that feel both refined and welcoming. Their pieces often reflect a balance between Scandinavian design simplicity and Italian material quality, making them highly versatile in both residential and contract settings.

A defining aspect of Crassevig’s furniture is its level of customisation. Designers can choose from a wide range of finishes, fabrics and colours, allowing the furniture to integrate naturally into different project palettes.

This flexibility makes Crassevig particularly valuable for projects where outdoor seating needs to complement interior furniture schemes.

Whether used in hospitality terraces, boutique hotels or residential gardens, Crassevig pieces offer tactile warmth and timeless design.

Gloster: Teak Craftsmanship and Modular Outdoor Living

British outdoor furniture brand Gloster is widely recognised for its expertise in teak and outdoor craftsmanship.

Their furniture is designed around the concept of relaxed outdoor living, where comfort, durability and design flexibility work together.

A key feature of the Gloster collection is its use of plantation-grown teak, a material valued for its strength, weather resistance and natural beauty.

Among their standout collections are:

Wrap
A sculptural woven seat design where the backrest flows into the frame, creating a distinctive silhouette while maintaining exceptional comfort.

Grid
A modular outdoor seating system that allows designers to create adaptable layouts suited to large terraces or hospitality settings.

Navigator and Haven
Collections inspired by nautical design, combining teak frames with deep cushions that create a cocoon-like seating experience.

Gloster furniture encourages designers to mix seating, lounge and dining elements to create outdoor spaces that feel both flexible and inviting.

Knoll Outdoor: Modern Design Icons for the Exterior

The Knoll 1966 Collection, designed by Richard Schultz, remains one of the most iconic outdoor furniture ranges ever created.

Originally designed for Florence Knoll’s Florida home, the collection was engineered specifically to withstand the harsh coastal environment.

Its defining features include:

• Powder-coated aluminium frames
• Breathable woven mesh seating
• Stainless steel structural components

These materials allow the furniture to resist corrosion from salt air and humidity while maintaining its clean modern aesthetic.

The result is a collection that has remained relevant for decades, offering architects and designers a timeless modernist language for outdoor spaces.

Knoll pieces work particularly well in contemporary architectural settings where simplicity, proportion and material clarity are key.

Trabà: Italian Tradition with Contemporary Design

Italian brand Trabà traces its roots back to 1969, when the company began producing handcrafted wooden chairs.

Over the decades, the brand has evolved to combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design influences.

Today, Trabà produces a wide range of furniture that blends:

• Italian manufacturing expertise
• Scandinavian design inspiration
• Modern production techniques

Their outdoor furniture often introduces more expressive colour palettes and lightweight structures, making it ideal for hospitality projects, restaurants and vibrant residential terraces.

Sustainability also plays an important role in the brand’s philosophy. By focusing on durable materials and timeless designs, Trabà aims to produce furniture that lasts for generations rather than being replaced frequently.

Supporting Designers Through Specification

At The Design Net, our role extends beyond simply supplying furniture.

We work with architects, interior designers and hospitality project teams to ensure the specification process runs smoothly from concept through to installation.

Designers working with our brands can access:

• Product catalogues and mood imagery
• CAD and 3D models
• Finish and fabric samples
• Specification guidance
• Procurement and delivery support

Because we work closely with these manufacturers, we are able to assist designers in navigating the collections and selecting pieces that best suit each project.

Creating Outdoor Spaces That Feel Like Interiors

The most successful outdoor spaces today feel intentional and curated.

They combine architectural furniture, atmospheric lighting and carefully considered materials to create environments where people genuinely want to spend time.

By bringing together brands like B&B Italia, Contardi, Crassevig, Gloster, Knoll and Trabà, designers gain access to a diverse toolkit of forms, materials and design languages.

The result is outdoor spaces that feel every bit as refined as the interiors they connect to.

Explore Outdoor Collections with The Design Net

If you are currently working on a residential or hospitality project and would like support specifying outdoor furniture or lighting, our team would be delighted to help.

From early design conversations through to final procurement, we work alongside designers to ensure outdoor environments feel cohesive, functional and beautifully resolved.

Get in touch with The Design Net to explore our curated outdoor collections and discover how we can support your next project.

Get in touch

Connect with us today and explore the ways in which we can support you.

Enquire