Traditionally outdoor fabrics where used on boats for decades but the development of these products has come leaps and bounds since then. In 2013 many of the fabrics used for outdoor furniture are softer, more comfortable and the design really compliments the garden. Even better they have been intended for use in the sun, wind and rain.

These performance fabrics of course get better the more you pay for them but you can guarantee they will be weather proof and resistant to suntan lotion, wine, pets or muddy shoes.

We have now seen a divergence of these products being used indoors aswell as out.

According to a study done by Mintel in 2009 on Outdoor living anything up to 60% of people cannot afford to move house. This staggering figure is however not all doom and gloom as 40% of those are instead investing in home improvements. There is more good news; with the vast majority of the population having a garden and more people cutting back on fortnightly holidays and opting instead for a ‘stay-cation’ there is a big opportunity to encourage more sales of outdoor living products.

There has also been a surge in the importance of ‘garden rooms’ and conservatories in terms of enabling consumers to feel like they are outdoors all year round.

The thought process now is “Why move when I can improve” which is great news for retailers up and down the UK.

Many people all over the UK love to enjoy there garden in many different ways.

Consumers are demanding the best in performance fabrics; not just for lounging and entertaining but for activities more commonly performed indoors.

Although the material can be more expensive, most consumers recognize the value of using these fabrics and don’t mind paying for them because it will exponentially increase the life expectancy of the furniture.

Today it is all about bringing the outdoors in and the indoors out.