Australians have a penchant for quality. With many of us regularly taking to updating, redecorating, renovating or rebuilding our homes, in most cases only the finest will do. After all, as a nation of entertainers who love to host a dinner party or summer BBQ, your home is something you can show off to your family and friends with smug abandon.
A home is also, of course, a place where you will spend most of your years, so filling it out with top quality furniture that will last longer than you is no bad investment. And since Australia is gifted a good chunk of sunshine throughout the year, we love to spend most of our time outside.
Which is where outdoor furniture comes in. Not only can you meticulously decide upon what sofa to pair with what coffee table, or how best to design your bedroom, your outdoor space is one that requires considerable attention also.
And being experts when it comes to how best to enjoy our time outside, Australia is home to a fantastic selection of outdoor furniture brands and stores, all serving up well-designed, well-made pieces that will instantly transform your shoddy excuse for a backyard into a garden of dreams.
We’ve rounded up some of the very best producers of outdoor furniture – and stores selling high-quality imports – in Australia so you can shop local and say buh bye to flat-pack forever.
Tait
Founded in 1992 by the husband and wife team of Gordon and Susan Tait, this Melbourne-based brand made it a mission to produce outdoor furniture that could comfortably withstand Australia's climate.
Of course, pieces have to look good too (as well as being virtually bulletproof), and so along with a team of designers, Tait develops all collections from start to finish at the Melbourne factory.
Expect a personable approach to customer service whenever you deal with Tait, whether it be buying ready-made furniture or commissioning a custom project, they treat all customers like close friend.
Coco Republic
Family-owned Coco Republic has cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with within Australia's furniture and interior design scene. With showrooms along Australia's east coast and even a showroom in Auckland, New Zealand, it's never been easier to deck out your home with high-end pieces of designer furniture.
Coco Republic's outdoor furniture collection is particularly opulent, consisting of large seat cushions that resemble small beds, tables that are capable of seating full rugby teams if you so wish and other small decorative pieces and ornaments that only serve to turn your outdoor space into an area you'll never want to leave.
Zaneti
Italian-sounding but Australian through and through, Zaneti is in the business of making outdoor furniture that is colourful, vibrant and fun.
The intriguing aspect of Zaneti's designs is that they're never destined for one area, meaning, they're not necessarily designed for the home specifically, but can equally be placed in commercial settings such as hotels and bars.
You'll find predominantly chairs, sofas and benches within Zaneti's outdoor furniture range, with a few tables thrown in for good measure.
Space Furniture
Space Furniture has gone from strength to strength since it first struck ground in Sydney in 1993. Not content with just opening more showrooms across Australia, Space has also expanded further into South East Asia, becoming a furniture-selling powerhouse across the whole region. Space doesn't design and develop its own pieces like some others on this list, but instead devotes itself to sourcing only the finest third-party producers to fill out its collections.
This method allows Space to stock a larger range of outdoor furniture pieces than some other retailers on this list, giving you far greater choice.
Not only can you plentiful table and chair options, but Space Furniture also deals with outdoor lighting and various other small accessories such as vases and storage.
Trit House
Trit House is another furniture retailer than both designs its own pieces and sources quality options from other suppliers. Established in Australia since 2006, Trit aims to curate its selections to appeal directly to the Australian consumer, taking into account the country's unique style, which is demonstrated beautifully at any of the considered showrooms dotted along the east coast.
Trit's outdoor furniture collections comprise various seating, tables and accessories such as parasols, designed to give your outdoor space somewhere to relax or somewhere to entertain, however you see fit.
Cosh Living
Founded in Melbourne in 2008 and now with a handful of stores nationwide, Cosh Living specialises in outdoor furniture. Although it does now cater to indoor projects too, Cosh Living began selling quality outdoor pieces sourced from some of Europe's best designers.
Whether its a set of table and chairs, a daybed or just some decorative pots you’re after, Cosh Living has extensive ranges covering all outdoor needs. Pieces are sourced from both local and international designers and suppliers, and Cosh also has its own in-house brand, Kett.
You’ll find outdoor furniture crafted from a variety of materials including wood, aluminium and wrought iron, meaning Cosh Living is able to accommodate every and all projects.
Roda
A self-confessed "100% outdoor company", Italian furniture brand Roda firmly believes outdoor spaces should be treated with as much care and attention as their interior counterpart. This is evident in the design of outdoor furniture, with proper sofas and armchairs sitting alongside more conventional-looking outdoor pieces.
Much of Roda's seating collections are modular, allowing you to build your own pieces to perfectly fit your space.
Gloster
Gloster Furniture can have its history traced back to the 1960s when it first started making wooden furniture in West Africa. After experiencing high demand, the factory was moved from Africa to Asia so that it could make use of naturally grown teak wood. New owners came in in 1992 and the factory was moved to a different site in Indonesia, but where it could still have access to teak.
Known for its water-resistant and durability properties, Gloster uses teak in the majority of its outdoor furniture pieces. The brand also makes use of other materials including stainless steel and aluminium.
Paola Lenti
Paola Lenti outdoor furniture really needs to be seen to be believed. Totally unique in her approach to design, Lenti creates pieces that are much works of art as they are functional furniture pieces. While most outdoor furniture will be made from materials such as wood, stainless steel or other metals, Paola Lenti has a penchant for fabrics, and the designer has even developed their own fibres that help to withstand harsh sunlight or torrential downpours.
Using fabrics and yarn also gives Paola Lenti outdoor furniture an incredibly cool look that will elevate your outdoor space like no other.
Dedon
Dedon pretty much invented the woven outdoor furniture market when it was founded in 1990. The company was founded to not only develop new fibres that could withstand harsh outdoor conditions, but to create ranges of furniture that could rival the look and comfort of those destined for interior spaces.
Several of Dedon's pieces are immediately recognisable, such as the Orbit seat with canopy and the Swingrest, which wouldn't look out of place at a pool club in Ibiza, but you'll also find various other seating options, side tables and lighting, all with the common aim of making the most of your outdoor space.
Mamagreen
Naturally, we had to feature a brand that makes a conscious effort to be as sustainable as possible. Not that the others on this list don't, but Mamagreen builds most of its outdoor furniture from recycled, or recyclable, materials. These sustainable materials are then fashioned into handsome pieces of furniture that add style and sophistication to your outdoor spaces.
Ethimo
Italian brand Ethimo creates outdoor furniture pieces that are designed to encourage you to literally sit back and relax. Another company to hail from Italy, Ethimo takes great inspiration from the Mediterranean, which is reflected in the choice of colours and materials, resulting in pieces that will look perfect looking out on your uninterrupted sea views.
Of course, if you don't have such luxury but do have an outdoor space that is flooded with sunlight, Ethimo's tables, chairs and sofas will still feel right at home.
Domo
Priding itself on its selection of European brands, Domo is a go-to destination for premium outdoor furniture in Australia. Alongside its carefully curated list of suppliers, Domo also has its own brand of furniture which looks to implement innovative design solutions to common problems, no matter how tricky they may be.
Outdoor furniture from third-party suppliers is equally stylish and even accounts for products such as pots, planters and side tables. Domo has showrooms along the east coast of Australia and down into South Australia. Sorry, West.
Manutti
Belgian outdoor furniture brand Manutti has been transforming outdoor spaces since 2002. With collections designed to reflect various scenes, whether it be beachside, seaside or something a tad more urban, you'll be able to find outdoor furniture that perfectly complements your space.
A vast majority of Manutti's pieces make use of fabrics, a deliberate decision made by owner Stephane De Winter, who grew up being surrounded by textiles, however, all of them have the overarching goal of allowing you to enjoy time spent outdoors.
