In the tropics, outdoor furniture works harder than anywhere else: strong sun nearly all year, heavy rains, constant humidity and, near the sea, salt in the air. Choosing well from the start decides whether a piece looks the same five years from now or has to be replaced. This guide gathers what's worth checking before you buy.
What a tropical climate does to furniture
The sun fades fabrics and dries out unprotected wood. Rain and humidity rust untreated metals and encourage mold in cushions and foam. Salt air, if you're near the sea, speeds up corrosion. A good piece of outdoor furniture is designed with all three in mind at once.
The frame: aluminum or teak
Aluminum with an electrostatic coating is lightweight, doesn't rust and resists corrosion even near the sea. It's the base of many of our frames and allows slim, elegant profiles.
Teak is a noble wood with natural oils that make it resistant to humidity and the elements. Over the years it takes on a silvery gray patina, or you can keep its golden tone with teak oil. Some pieces, like the Bali Modular Sofa or the Bali Armchair, can be ordered with a teak or aluminum frame.
The fabric: make sure it's truly outdoor
An indoor fabric isn't made for sun or humidity, and it deteriorates quickly outdoors. For outdoor use, look for fibers designed for it, like Sunbrella®: a solution-dyed acrylic fiber, meaning the color runs through the whole fiber and not just the surface, so it doesn't fade in the sun. It also repels water and is easy to clean. Learn more in our materials guide and on the materials and custom orders page.
Ceramic for tables
High-density ceramic tops resist heat, scratches and stains better than natural stone, without its weight or upkeep. They're a good option for an everyday outdoor dining table, like the Cies Dining Table, or for a coffee table like the Maui Coffee Table. Here's how to clean them.
Think about how you'll use the space
Before looking at models, define what the space is for: dining outdoors, chatting, resting in the sun or having afternoon coffee. Each use calls for different pieces: a dining table, a modular sofa or armchairs for the outdoor living room, loungers by the pool, or a side table to go along.
Measure before you choose
Outdoors, pieces tend to look smaller than they are. Measure the space, leave a clear path to walk around and compare with the dimensions on each product page. An L-shaped sofa like the Granada Sofa, for example, takes up 334 × 270 cm: it looks beautiful on a spacious terrace, but it won't fit in just any corner. If your space is small, take a look at these tips for fitting furniture on a small terrace.
Covered or fully exposed
A covered terrace isn't the same as a garden fully exposed to rain. If the pieces will get sun and water directly, prioritize aluminum, teak and outdoor fabrics, and store loose cushions indoors when you won't use them for several days, especially in the rainy season.
Simple care extends the life of everything
With a few minutes each season, a good piece of furniture keeps its look. Wipe the aluminum with a damp cloth every week to remove dust and salt, clean the fabric with mild soap and water, and avoid abrasive sponges, solvents and undiluted chlorine. You'll find the details in our Care Tips.
Make it your own
Many of our pieces can be customized in fabric and finish so they fit your space. If you don't know where to start, tell us what your terrace is like and we'll help you choose: message us on WhatsApp or browse the whole outdoor collection.