November/December 2022 - 46

OUTDOOR LIVING
Trending Overseas:
WHAT'S NEW IN OUTDOOR LIVING
Photos courtesy of spoga+gafa.
By Stefan Lohrberg
E
ach summer, spoga+gafa serves as a central meeting
place for the green industry. The show offers a
platform for international exchange and innovations
around the garden lifestyle. Here are some of the latest
developments in outdoor furniture and accessories,
garden tools, and outdoor kitchens that were highlighted
at this year's event.
Focus on Sustainability
Sustainability remains one of the defining social
themes - and the garden sector takes its " green " origins
seriously. Under the central theme of Sustainable Gardens,
spoga+gafa is developing solutions for the challenges of
climate change together with its exhibitors and visitors. For
some time now, many companies in the sector have been
designing their operations to be completely or partially CO2
outdoor areas such as the balcony or roof terrace also
offer welcome variety, relaxation or a home office in the
fresh air. When it comes to new products, this desire for a
near-natural and homely retreat becomes clear. Soft-edge
design is increasingly moving outdoors from the living
area and giving garden furniture a rounded, soft or even
dynamic design language. For relaxing, there are now
upholstered chairs in lush shapes, cozy lounge beds or
seating islands that enclose their users like nests.
Natural materials such as wood or rattan give the
-
neutral and have been focusing on production that conserves
resources as much as possible; the latest innovations
confirm this trend. For example, recycled and recyclable
materials have long been an integral part of new collections
of outdoor furniture, plant pots and garden tools. Foils and
other packaging are also increasingly made from recycled
waste materials. Insect hotels, hedgehog houses and flowers
for bees keep the garden alive. For sustainable gardening,
raw materials such as green compost from regional
cultivation are also offered.
The Garden as a Retreat
Especially in the pandemic, the garden has gained even
more importance as a balance to everyday life. Urban
outdoor area an authentic, and at the same time, warm
touch. This is also transferred to rather cool materials
such as aluminum or plastic, which are now also available
in a warm wood look. Vertical planting systems are
available for lush greenery in the outdoor oasis. With
sunshades, improved control of LED lighting and radiant
heaters ensure greater comfort.
Handicraft Are en Vogue
Gardening is handicraft and therefore offers a balance
to the digitalized world. Handicrafts and wickerwork also
play a major role in outdoor furniture today. Instead of
mass-produced goods, consumers are increasingly opting
for handicrafts when furnishing their outdoor living spaces.
Handmade products such as hammocks or garden furniture
with rope and rattan weave are enjoying growing popularity
as truly unique items. Thanks to the use of polyester, the
modern wickerwork is particularly weatherproof and very
durable. A plastic core ensures that the ropes hardly stretch
and can be knotted tightly. The structure woven in this way
46 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
Spoga+gafa organizers share some of
the latest developments in outdoor
furniture and accessories, garden tools,
and outdoor kitchens seen at their
Cologne, Germany, trade show.
November/December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2022
