Backyard Revival

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Homeowners seeking sanctuary in outdoor retreats

With the brutal winter finally past us, everyone is eager to rediscover his backyard, but the way it looks has changed over the past few years. We used to have a few resin chairs to sit on, a barbecue to cook at and a table to eat on, then everyone would come back inside," says Stuart Brown, president of General Products in Richmond Hill. "Now, thanks to fire pits and heaters – and the comfort of deep-seat furniture – I'm finding that once people get home from work, they head outdoors and spend whole evenings out there." It's an entire rediscovery of the backyard, he explains, "like walking by a treasure chest you didn't know you had."

Mr. Brown has also found that the backyard is a place for families to reconnect. "Instead of sitting inside with the TV on, you're outside hearing the birds, listening to a water feature, watching the sun set, and it's a great opportunity for families to talk and enjoy their time together." It has nothing to do with the size of yard, he insists. "In my line of work I've been in many backyards and, if it's done well, it can be a great space for gathering."

This focus on the home as an oasis has got homeowners investing far more money in their backyard, says Mr. Brown. "In many cases, it's replacing the cottage, especially with all the water features you can incorporate to it, even sounds like being at the lake."

Jill Schwartzentruber, business manager of Casualife, has noticed a similar phenomenon. "After such harsh winters, we're all dying to spend as much time outside as possible."

This desire, she believes, is driving sales of higher quality outdoor furniture, which not only lasts longer but looks good for longer as well.  She admits prices are correspondingly higher and that it's not uncommon to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 for good quality furnishings for the whole backyard.

While mixing high and low will stretch the budget, Ms. Schwartzentruber recommends staying within the same reputable brand. At her Markham store, for example, quality aluminum lounge chairs range from about $600 to $2,000. But if you mix in a $150 chair, it will stick out like a sore thumb.

Because you want to spend as much time as possible outside, she adds, you want to buy quality. A good frame, for example, should last 10 or 15 years, depending on the brand,
while fabrics – like Sunbrella – will maintain their shape and water resistance for many years. Donna Bickerton, buyer for Sign of the Skier, a Toronto store that carries outdoor furniture, says if storage is an issue, waterproof cushions can be left outdoors and don't have to be stored away when it rains.

Mr. Brown says one very new product is marine-grade leather, the kind found on boats, which is sturdy enough to take any kind of weather. When used on deep seat furniture – and even on outdoor dining furniture – Brown says it's exceptionally water-resistant and doesn't need to be brought inside or covered during rain. With the huge range of cushions now available, the look of your patio can be changed very easily and inexpensively.

Stylish statements for the backyard

Sofas, loveseats and sectionals designed for outdoors provide comfortable relaxing in the backyard and come in a variety of colours and styles.

When it comes to dining tables, wood is still popular – teak, ipe or treated pine are the most common  – but consider mixing materials, like woven chairs with a wood or stainless table. Something new is the all-aluminum table that comes in a variety of painted finishes, such as wood looks or weathered and whitewashed.

For durability, Ms. Schwartzentruber says teak and aluminum last equally as long, but teak requires a little babying – wine or oil spills need to be taken care of right away – whereas aluminum just wipes off.

She's also seeing a demand for "large statement pieces in their backyards, things like huge daybeds."

These large pieces are more common where homeowners are making the entire backyard into a retreat with pool, hot tub, outdoor fireplaces and full kitchens.

The patio has become the dining room of choice during warm weather months. A Phoenix dining set (above) can accommodate six.

To furnish these outdoor retreats, furniture is more substantial. Fresh Home & Garden features new collections from Gloster, such the Wedge with its stainless frames and indigo blue seat cushions, and the Bloc, which has aluminum bases and charcoal grey cushions.

Ms. Bickerton says there are some great sets designed for smaller spaces such as balconies or urban yards. However, she says homeowners may have to decide whether a space is going to be for dining or relaxing rather than trying to have it serve two purposes.

Duncan Fanning of Fresh explains the modular furniture is popular because it's so flexible. "You can change it however you like when you get bored, renovate or move. They're also so durable you can leave them out all year. Covered, of course."

Mr. Fanning has also seen some more traditional offerings lately, including "collections inspired by the Hamptons, in whitewashed wickers or weathered greys, with indigo and white fabrics."

Mr. Fanning suggests going eclectic. At Fresh, the store is designed around the mix-and-match look, and customers who formerly wanted sets quickly become fans of a more diverse look.. Colours remain fairly neutral, says Mr. Fanning. Sand, mocha, charcoal and creams are still strong because they are so much more versatile and serve as a great background for bright pillows and accessories.

Accessories such as an Olive Grove Driftwood outdoor rug (above), Serenade firepit (above, right) or Weaver outdoor lamp (below, right) can warm up a condo balcony or small backyard.

This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.