Transform your garden or balcony with these furniture trends and tips

In this article, the online garden furniture retailer Van der Garde shares the latest tips and trends when it comes to buying garden furniture in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant outdoor culture, with around 80 percent of properties having a garden or balcony. The Dutch have a long-standing tradition of maximising their outdoor spaces, no matter how compact they might be. There are so many options for turning your garden, terrace or balcony into a cosy retreat, and here is a guide to help buy the right garden furnishings.

The trends for garden furniture in 2025

While you want to have a garden that reflects you and your personality, it can be useful to know what the latest trends are for garden furniture in general, and why those are the items that everyone is suddenly buying. Here are the latest trends for Dutch gardens:

1. High-quality, sustainable and durable materials

When shopping for garden furniture in the Netherlands, you need to ensure it is made from materials that can withstand the variable Dutch climate. With sustainability on everyone's radar now, responsibly-sourced hardwoods are popular, such as teak. Natural stains and treatments are also preferred over old-fashioned chemical treatments.

Newer woods that are popular include bamboo and eucalyptus. These woods are incredibly fast-growing, so more renewable and sustainable than slow-growing hardwoods. Eucalyptus in particular also has many natural properties that make it perfect for outdoor furniture, such as being incredible hard-wearing, and having natural oils within it that act as a fungicide and insect repellent. As it ages and naturally fades, it also develops a beautiful grey patina, so many people think it improves as it ages!

All-weather wicker is also experiencing a come-back, as people are drawn to its durability, price and minimal maintenance requirements. Another low-maintenance material that you'll be seeing more and more of in people's gardens is aluminium. Many of these products are made from recycled aluminium, making them even more sustainable. This metal is easy to clean, lasts a very long time and can withstand extreme weather conditions. 

While plastic has a bad reputation in terms of being eco-friendly, there are plenty of items made from recycled plastic that will also last you a very long time. If you aren't intending to remodel any time soon, this impervious material can be a great, budget-friendly option.

2. Innovative designs

Dutch design is famous for its innovation and simplicity. The garden furniture available often reflects modern tastes combined with functionality, ensuring your outdoor space is both stylish and comfortable. There are shapes of furniture out there to fit neatly into any space you may have, even the dreaded triangular balcony! Modular furniture is extremely popular, and let's you build the unit or set that suits both your space and your needs.

Statement pieces have also found a home in people's gardens recently. Think a bold piece of art, a dramatically modern chair or perhaps an antique storage box for your blankets. These pieces are meant to stand apart from your main furniture set and bring a distinctive identity to your garden or balcony.

3. A range of textures 

Minimalism is still in, but now with a soft, warm twist. While furniture will often still have clean lines and a simplistic, practical form, these are being softened by fabric accessories, from cushions to decorative ropes. Aluminium furniture in particular benefits from wool throws or bright cushions - just remember to put them away before the rain comes!

There are also plenty of all-weather decorative features that you can use to break up the lines of your garden. Draping thick rope along a bare fence, for example, can give a seaside vibe to a previously blank canvas. Rope is also excellent for hanging lanterns, to brighten the dark evenings, or for creating interesting lines for your creeping plants to follow.

4. Warm colours

The increase in aluminium furniture led to a rise in the use of dramatic, bright colours in the garden. This material is available in any colour you can think of, and people went mad for brightening their outdoor spaces with reds, pink and blues. Now, colour is still proving popular, but the trend has moved towards softer, more natural colours, such as terracotta, sand and olive.

These colours complement neutral furniture colours, and can be created by the simple addition of cushions, tablecloths, plant pots or even some attractive outdoor art.

The practicalities of buying garden furniture

Once you know what kinds of style you would like, and are ready to get shopping, make sure you make it easy for yourself with these tips:

1. Asses your space

It's crucial not only that you know exactly how big your space is, but also how much of it you can practically use. A garden or balcony that is completely filled with oversized furniture will no longer feel like a relaxing outdoor space for you to enjoy, so plan your layout carefully before you buy your garden furniture.

You also need to think about what you are likely to use the space for. If you want to dine in your garden, you might want a higher table and chair set than if you're simply a sun-lover. If you want to host garden parties, maybe tables and chairs that can moved around easily to create different layouts would be a priority. If your garden is south facing, you may think that brings only positives, but consider the need for shade in the summer months.

If you are creating a cosy balcony, make sure you think about where the access points are so you don't end up with a lovely space that you can only sidle out onto!

2. Order online

Garden furniture can be pretty bulky. Even the biggest stores can only show a fraction of what is available out there. Shopping online means that you can explore hundreds, if not thousands, of suitable options, and you can quickly and easily filter out those products that are not suitable for you. Not only do you stand a greater chance of finding something that speaks directly to you, you can have it easily delivered right to your door - no heavy lifting required!

Shopping online also creates a community that can help you make good decisions. Reading the reviews that other customers have left can help you ensure you will be happy with your purchase.

3. Think about maintenance

It can be tempting to think that having a whole new garden will bring about a whole new you. But it's important to know yourself and how much work you are realistically willing to put into maintaining your garden or balcony. If you know you will never remember to pack away your soft furnishings whenever the weather turns, maybe don't buy all those blankets. If you love the teak wood option, make sure you will be disciplined enough to oil it periodically to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

There are plenty of low-maintenance options out there, so you don't need to go without, but make sure your furniture matches your dedication level.

Create an outdoor haven, just for you

Purchasing garden furniture in the Netherlands is an enriching experience that combines a love for outdoor living with high-quality, sustainable options. By considering factors like space, materials, and personal style, you can create an outdoor area that reflects your lifestyle and enhances your enjoyment of your beautiful Dutch surroundings.

Transforming your outdoor space into a personal oasis is an exciting endeavour that blends functionality with style. If you're looking to add a relaxing touch to your garden, consider investing in a lounge set from Van Der Garde to fully enjoy the summer days.