HIGH POINT — Numerous surveys and statistics have documented the rising popularity of outdoor living spaces since the beginning of the pandemic. Now, four years later, industry thought leaders say the ongoing growth of the outdoor category underscores the need for continued innovation in product design, and they are weighing in on the potential for manufacturers, retailers and designers.
“We sometimes think of outdoor spaces the same way we view outer space in that they have both been referred to as the final frontier,” said Richard Frinier, co-founder, managing partner and principal of Richard Frinier Design Studio in California, along with his wife, Catherine. “Of course, we all know that space is infinite and therefore not final. And so it goes for outdoor spaces.
“They are infinitely changeable, fueling the category’s longevity, especially after coming through the pandemic when more than ever people are creating and appreciating the live-work-play lifestyle at home full- or part-time, including their outdoor spaces.”
“I see continued high interest by consumers wanting to improve the outdoor spaces around their home,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, executive director for International Casual Furnishings Assn. “I think that there will be a zeal for accessory items such as pillows, rugs, lighting and décor objects, along with umbrellas and firepits, for enhancing the look of the outdoor space to encourage more time using the space.”
Hirschhaut added that 2024 looks positive for the category and the industry, noting that July will mark the first “annual” Casual Market in Atlanta.
“With one year of experience in the new home for outdoor furnishings, I believe that everyone will have developed a familiarity of the setting and will be looking forward to visiting with a still growing number of exhibitors,” Hirschhaut said. “I recognize that a number of dealers are still working through excess inventory levels coming out of over-eager pandemic buying, but at the same time I believe that a selection of new merchandise will be essential for attracting customers into stores to shop.”
Outdoor design in 2024
Frinier has collaborated with numerous brands in the home furnishings’ industry throughout his 40-year career, including Brown Jordan, Century Furniture, Dedon, Pavilion and Devin pavilion and Sunbrella. During that time, his designs have exceeded $1 billion in sales for partnering brands and earned more than 100 design excellence awards.
As a longtime veteran of the outdoor category, he has seen many shifts in the home furnishings industry over the years and believes that outdoor spaces will continue to remain at the forefront of consumer demand.
“While forms and styles of furniture designs continue to evolve and change, the popularity of outdoor living has every opportunity to experience sustainable growth,” Frinier said. “Regardless of periodic soft markets due to economic climates which impact our home furnishings industry at large, outdoor living spaces do much to add to our quality of life and also to the value of our homes because you are increasing the usable living space and areas while making entertaining at home inviting, easy and memorable.
“Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces have the ability to transform not only how we experience our lives at home, but (also) how we ourselves feel for creating a personal resort-at-home atmosphere,” he added. “Outdoor spaces draw us closer to nature on many levels and can serve as a vital resource for all of us to ground ourselves in a fast-paced world, offering healing energy to constantly renew the spirit. For all these reasons, we do not see outdoor living as a trend that will run its course. We have always seen it as an important and meaningful lifestyle and a health-and-wellness choice to be balanced.”
Frinier works on both residential and hospitality/commercial projects for outdoor, and he believes the demand for quality furnishings will continue to grow across categories. He noted that materials innovation will play a role in the evolution of the category, as well as increased consumer attention on health and wellness.
“Sometimes a homeowner needs poolside furnishings or a hotel manager needs new chaise lounges and shade umbrellas on the sand by the sea,” Frinier explained. “For me, I am never really designing for just the outdoors. I am challenging myself to create good design using performance materials that cross over between interiors and exteriors with ease. My designs are specified for private residences, hotels, spas, and resorts around the world with the exact same furnishings placed outside and inside depending on the materials used and overall design and function of the piece.
“Going forward, we will see more and more emphasis around sustainable living — including the materials we are using and the furnishings we make — to be more and more socially conscious through thoughtful design using recycled-content materials and smart manufacturing processes,” he added. “We see this evolving in our design collaborations with long-time partners, including Glen Raven/Sunbrella and Dedon for their unique and innovative materials and for the way in which they imagine, execute and market their designs.”
Limited only by imagination
This year, the Friniers will continue their collaborations with partner companies as well as their longtime support of student mentorship and industry initiatives for notable organizations including City of Hope.
The packed schedule underscores Frinier’s assertions that a comfortable outdoor living space will be at the top of many consumer “must-have” lists and that retailers and designers can help their customers envision a personalized outdoor space by starting with a few simple questions.
“If consumers are designing their outside spaces, they should start by moving any furnishings they currently own out of the way and spend some time studying the areas and how they envision using them based on the physical space they have, consider natural and artificial lighting available, and not limit themselves to just an area for dining and for lounging and socializing,” Frinier said.
“Is there a special place in the garden with an alcove perfect for one or two oversized lounge chairs, ottomans and an occasional table in between for visiting with a friend or having quality time with one of your children or grandchildren?
Is there a place in the garden perfect for a daybed with a fabric sky in which to rest and dream? Is it more important to have modular lounge pieces you can move around and rearrange from time to time depending on how you are using them or when there is a special family celebration on the calendar? Do you entertain and need additional seating for dining and visiting for sometimes hours at a time?
It is all about creating indoor/outdoor spaces you, your family and guests will use, enjoy and remember for many years to come. There are no lines to blur anymore between the indoor and outdoor spaces we create. We are only limited by our imaginations as to how to make them places we cannot wait to spend time in each and every day.”