Carrots in the pot or salad in the box: trend-conscious city dwellers and even the Hollywood actor Liam Hemsworth take joy in growing their own vegetables. What in the past was only common in the country or in allotment gardens that were labeled as being square, is now conquering the metropolises.
Urban gardening is the buzzword that describes tomatoes, red peppers, and strawberries growing on balconies, roof terraces, and in back yards. According to a representative GfK survey carried out on behalf of “Apotheken Umschau” (pharmacy publication), in the meantime, 39 percent of the consumers, who own a balcony or garden, use them for growing fruit, vegetables, and herbs – with an upward trend.
Hence, the outdoor living room has become a real living space. And the consumers want to decorate it with a modern, stylish design. The manufacturers of garden furniture and accessories are currently increasingly discovering the potential of urban outdoor oases. Thus, under focus: the city outdoor trend with products that are both – elegant as well as practical and space-saving. On top of that, multifunctional furniture, as well as comfort-providing and ergonomic features, are also increasingly finding their way outdoors.
In terms of colours, everything revolves around the green, and barbecuing is becoming smart using elaborate equipment – through to the complete outdoor kitchen.
Around 2,000 exhibitors will show all of the trends and innovations for the outdoor season 2017/18 at the world’s largest garden fair, spoga+gafa, which is being staged in Cologne from 3 to 5 September 2017.
Top Trend 2017/18: the Sophisticated City Outdoors
More and more people are moving to the cities. Instead of a small house in the suburbs, in addition to young people more and more high-income earners are opting for the pulsating city lifestyle. And they not only want to furnish their apartment up-class and stylishly but also their balcony. That is why there is a large selection of products for the summer season 2017/18 that specifically address this target group.
Here the focus is on design-oriented outdoor furniture that can be variably implemented, constantly rearranged in new constellations, and stowed away in a space-saving manner. They have a light, dainty appearance and are made of stylish materials that are hardly distinguishable from the indoor versions. The sophisticated balcony world is rounded off by compact sunshades, carpets, and lamps as well as plant systems and gardening equipment for urban gardening that allow small areas to be optimally utilised.
Multifunctional Outdoor Living Room
The days when the outdoor sofa was used exclusively for sitting are long gone. Multifunctional furniture is now increasingly conquering the summer living room. The manufacturers are convincing with plenty of creativity and are offering true quick-change artists. In this way, at the flick of a wrist, a lounger becomes a bench or a daybed becomes a sofa with a table. Stools can also be used as a side table, sun shades offer light and heating functions and plant pots provide additional storage space. The barbecue manufacturers are at the very forefront. In the meantime their models can smoke, roast and bake as well as offer special features such as LED lamps and power bank compatibility.
Comfortable, Chic, Modern – Green Oasis
High spending power, quality-conscious and growing – this describes the target group of the best agers. According to the experts, every second Euro spent in Germany is spent by someone over 50. An attractive clientele that is prepared to dip a little deeper into its pocket for its green oasis – if the products offer added value. Hence, at the moment high-quality furniture that excels with comfort-providing aspects is conquering the outdoor stage.
The selection ranges from ergonomically shaped, high chair seats for back-friendly sitting and resting, to sun shades that are operated per foot switch, through to plant pots that allow easy planting. Important here: the appearance and design language of the products are chic and modern. So they don’t just address the best agers, but indeed everyone, who likes it comfortable.
Colour Trend – Green and Blooming
That gets everyone in the summer mood: green is the colour of the year. Whether in the fashion, cosmetics, or furnishing sectors – everything is green and blooming. And this trend is now also heading outdoors. A harmonious, coherent overall picture is emerging in interplay with Nature. The array ranges from powerful and fresh to muted and dark shades. Green can be nicely combined with many other colours. It shines out when combined with yellow, and becomes softer with pink and blue lends it all a maritime appearance. Of course, the garden wouldn’t be the same without the classic shades of white, grey, brown, and black.
Koelnmesse – Global Competence in Furniture, Interiors, and Design
Koelnmesse is the world’s top trade fair organiser for the areas of furnishing, living, and lifestyle. At the trade fair hub of Cologne, the leading international fair imm cologne as well as the trade fair formats of LivingKitchen, ORGATEC, spoga+gafa, interzum and Kind + Jugend rank among the internationally renowned and established industry meeting places.
Cover photo – spoga+gafa, stand Landgard, Koelnmesse GmbH; photo by Hanne Engwald
Photos: Koelnmesse GmbH
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Create an Outdoor Oasis – a Fiesta of Color, a DIY Drinks Station, a Relaxing Seating Area