We get it. Buying a new outdoor lounge suite and/or outdoor cantilever umbrella is a big decision. You’re investing in something that needs to look fantastic, but more importantly, it needs to be tough enough to handle whatever the infamous (and sometimes chaotic) New Zealand weather throws at it—from a scorching summer sun to a frosty winter morning (that’s you, Otago!)
That’s why the best feedback we ever get is from customers who didn’t just see our furniture in a showroom, but experienced it in the wild.
We recently had two brilliant customers who decided to purchase from us after unknowingly putting our powdercoated aluminium furniture to the ultimate, real-world durability test. Their stories truly show the power of ‘try before you buy’!
Mark’s story is a testament to the all-weather outdoor furniture quality we stand by. He called us up and confidently ordered an Unwind corner set with Sunbrella Slate fabric over the phone—a high-value purchase without stepping into the showroom.
What gave him that confidence? A brutal Wanaka winter.
Mark and his partner had been renting a beautiful, fully-furnished home in Wanaka for a while. The property had one of our outdoor lounge suites sitting permanently on the deck.
“We watched it through ice, snow, and rain for months, and it still looked completely untouched,” Mark told us. “It was incredible. When we needed a new set for our own Auckland home, there was no doubt: we were buying your set.”
They literally saw our promise of rust-proof outdoor furniture hold up under extreme conditions. Talk about a stress test!
Now back living in Auckland, they are now the proud owners of our Unwind corner sofa with Sunbrella Slate fabric
A lovely couple visited our showroom earlier in the season for a casual browse. They loved the look of our designs but weren’t quite ready to commit. We said goodbye and thought we’d see them later.
Then, last weekend, they returned to purchase the exact outdoor lounge suite and a 3m x 3m cantilever umbrella made for their space.
What was the deciding factor for them? A relaxing weekend on Waiheke.
After their initial visit, they stayed at a stunning Airbnb on Waiheke Island. As they settled in, they realised the corner set and the large umbrella on the bach deck looked very familiar. Yep, it was one of ours!
They spent their whole weekend relaxing on it and realised two things:
For them, that real-life experience on Waiheke moved the set from ‘nice furniture’ to ‘the only outdoor furniture we want.’
These stories are why we love what we do. It’s not just about selling furniture; it’s about providing a durable outdoor furniture solution that genuinely makes your life easier, whatever the season.
So, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, weatherproof outdoor furniture set that will look as great in five years as it does today, come and see us, or better yet—book an Airbnb and maybe you’ll get to try before you buy, too!
Kerry is the co-owner of Outside Space NZ, offering a range of contemporary outdoor furniture and sun umbrellas for coastal living kiwis seeking premium quality outdoor products and design at achievable prices.
