A great outdoor space starts with the materials at its core. At Royalcraft, we’ve spent more than 35 years refining the balance between design, durability and the realities of outdoor living. Every material we use is chosen for a reason, not just because it looks beautiful, but because it enhances comfort, stands up to the seasons and creates spaces people love to use all year round.
Rope, concrete, wood and aluminium feature throughout our current and upcoming collections because each brings something essential. When combined, they create outdoor furniture that is timeless, practical and dependable season after season. Here’s a closer look at why these materials matter and how they elevate your outdoor living.
Rope: Comfort, Craft and Weather-Ready Performance
Rope might look decorative, but its value goes far deeper.
Why we use it:
Comfort with natural flexibility
A woven rope seat adapts to the shape of your body, creating a softness and “give” that enhances long, relaxed moments outside.
Designed for the outdoors
Modern outdoor rope is UV-resistant, quick-drying and engineered to hold its tension. It resists sagging, fading and the effects of everyday weather.
Endless design versatility
From clean modern lines to more relaxed weaving styles, rope brings texture, lightness and a handcrafted feel to any outdoor setting.
Concrete: Modern Simplicity with Solid Outdoor Performance
Concrete has become one of the most loved materials in contemporary outdoor design, and for good reason. It offers a clean, architectural feel while delivering the strength needed for everyday outdoor living.
Why concrete works beautifully outdoors:
A modern, sculptural aesthetic
Concrete brings a minimalist, refined look to dining tables and coffee tables. Its smooth, matte finish pairs effortlessly with aluminium, wood and rope, creating a timeless, elevated style.
Built for durability
Outdoor-ready concrete is engineered to resist the elements. It handles temperature changes, sunlight and daily use without losing its structure, making it a reliable choice for high-traffic garden spaces.
Stable and sturdy
The natural weight of concrete gives tables a grounded, robust feel — especially useful in exposed or windy locations where lighter materials may shift.
Low-maintenance practicality
Our outdoor concrete requires only simple cleaning to stay looking its best. Sealed finishes help protect against minor stains and weather exposure, keeping upkeep easy and realistic.
FSC® 100% Acacia Wood: Natural Warmth with Long-Lasting Protection
Wood brings a sense of warmth and grounding that no other material can match, which is why FSC® 100% Acacia is at the heart of many of our outdoor collections. Responsibly sourced and beautifully finished, it combines natural character with engineered durability.
Why we choose FSC® 100% Acacia:
Sustainably sourced with integrity
Being FSC® certified means the wood comes from responsibly managed forests. Every piece supports ethical forestry and traceable supply chains — something we prioritise in every new range.
Naturally strong and visually rich
Acacia is a dense, hardwearing timber with a distinctive grain that adds warmth and texture to any outdoor setting. Its natural resilience makes it ideal for garden furniture that faces year-round use.
Protected with a PU finish
To strengthen performance outdoors, each piece is coated with a PU (polyurethane) finish. This protective layer helps guard against moisture, UV exposure, warping and colour loss, preserving the beauty of the timber even in changing weather.
A beautiful ageing process
With proper care, Acacia develops a refined patina over time. Instead of wearing out, it gains character — a hallmark of high-quality wood.
Aluminium: Lightweight Strength for Modern Outdoor Living
As we expand our material offering, aluminium plays an increasingly important role in outdoor furniture design.
Why aluminium is a future essential:
Rust-resistant and weather-proof
Powder-coated aluminium performs brilliantly outdoors. It won’t rust, making it ideal for the UK climate.
Strong yet lightweight
Despite its strength, aluminium is easy to move and reconfigure — perfect for adaptable outdoor layouts.
A contemporary, seamless aesthetic
Clean lines and slim profiles give aluminium furniture a modern, architectural feel while maintaining durability.
Low maintenance
A simple clean is all it needs. No oiling, no elaborate care routines.
The Beauty of Mixing Materials
Some of the most harmonious and high-performing outdoor spaces are created by combining materials rather than relying on just one. Mixed-material design allows each material to play to its strengths, comfort, durability, warmth or structure, resulting in furniture that feels both visually balanced and incredibly practical.
Why mixed materials work so well:
A more layered, inviting look
Blending rope with wood, aluminium with concrete, or wood with metal adds texture and depth, creating a space that feels considered rather than uniform.
Flexible style that suits any outdoor space
Mixed materials make it easy to create a look that’s modern, relaxed or elevated. Concrete table tops pair effortlessly with rope-backed chairs, while FSC® Acacia brings a soft, natural contrast to aluminium frames.
Built for real outdoor living
Combining weather-proof aluminium or concrete with tactile materials like rope and wood creates furniture that not only looks beautiful but is designed to handle changing seasons, everyday use and long-term durability.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Space
It helps to consider how you’ll use your outdoor area:
- For comfort and sculptural design: choose rope.
- For warmth and a timeless feel: wood brings natural elegance.
- For modern lines and all-weather durability: aluminium delivers long-term reliability.
Many of the best outdoor spaces mix materials, for example, a wooden frame with rope-detailed seating and a concrete table top creates a balanced blend of strength, comfort and visual interest.
Built for Real Life
Our material choices are rooted in practicality. They’re selected because they hold up well in changing weather and require straightforward care. Regular light cleaning, occasional timber maintenance, storing away or covering during winter months and standard seasonal upkeep are usually all that’s needed.
There’s also a sustainability benefit: choosing durable materials means furniture lasts longer and reduces waste over time.
Why It All Matters
Materials shape how outdoor furniture performs, how it feels and how long it lasts. After decades of crafting outdoor collections, we know that the best materials are those that combine beauty, comfort and enduring strength.
Whether you’re redesigning your garden or refreshing a corner of your patio, start by thinking about how you want the space to feel.
