Your well-being, our expertise. Since 1977.

How to choose high-end outdoor furniture?

7 minute read

Mobilier extérieur haut de gamme ATOLL – guide Piscine Hippocampe

Outdoor furniture guide

How do you choose high-end outdoor furniture?

A beautiful patio set is not chosen solely by color or seating capacity. The right outdoor furniture should suit your space, the way you entertain, the materials you like and the level of maintenance you are prepared to undertake.

At Piscine Hippocampe, we developed the ATOLL collection around a simple idea: creating outdoor spaces with the same presence, comfort and attention to design as a true indoor space.

Before buying

Start with how you live outdoors

Family meals, drinks around the pool, long evenings on a sofa, reading in the sun or a hotel-worthy patio: the best furniture is not the same for everyone. The right choice always starts with how you use the space.

High-end ATOLL outdoor furniture on a patio

1. Start by defining how you use your patio

Before considering materials or colors, ask yourself how you actually use the space.

Entertaining

Choose a sofa, several armchairs and a coffee table that is accessible enough to create a true conversation area.

Dining outdoors

Focus on the table, the space around the chairs and comfort during long meals.

Relaxing

A chaise longue, deep armchair or daybed becomes a priority.

Creating an outdoor room

Work with volumes, textures and materials as you would in an indoor living room.

2. The right proportions completely change the result

A spectacular furniture set can seem too large on a small patio or, conversely, get lost in a large space. Before buying, measure the available area and leave enough clearance to move around easily.

For an outdoor dining area, also consider the clearance needed behind the chairs. For an outdoor lounge, visualize the space occupied when the chairs are actually in use, not just when they are perfectly aligned.

ATOLL tip: in a large space, it is often more elegant to create several zones — dining, lounging and sunbathing — rather than trying to fill the entire patio with a single set.

3. Materials: where quality becomes apparent over time

High-end outdoor furniture stands out largely through the choice and combination of materials. The ATOLL collection features aluminum, teak, rope, fiber cement, microcement, synthetic stone, and various textiles designed for living spaces.

Aluminum: lightweight, modern, and versatile

Aluminum makes it possible to create slim, contemporary structures while remaining easy to move. It pairs particularly well with teak, rope, and cushions.

Teak: natural warmth and character

Teak immediately brings a warmer dimension. In several ATOLL pieces, it is used as the main material or as an accent to offset the cooler appearance of aluminum.

Would you like to better understand what distinguishes Indonesian teak? Consult our detailed guide to teak, its finishes, and its care in Quebec, with photos, prices, and comparisons of ATOLL furniture.

Rope: texture and visual lightness

Rope makes it possible to create enveloping backrests and more airy silhouettes. It also gives the furniture a residential aesthetic that works just as well around a pool as in a sunroom or solarium.

Fiber cement and microcement: for a table that becomes a statement piece

These materials create a mineral, architectural look. They are particularly appealing when you want a large sculptural table that becomes the focal point of the terrace.

To take things further, our comparison of fiber cement, microcement, and aluminum tables presents ATOLL models with photos, dimensions, and prices.

ATOLL Alizé patio set

For a distinctive outdoor living room

ATOLL Alizé

The Alizé collection perfectly illustrates the ATOLL approach: a combination of aluminum, commercial-grade rope, Indonesian teak, and cushions to create furniture with a true residential presence.

Discover Alizé

4. High-end furniture should be beautiful… but above all, pleasant to use

A chair can look stunning in a photo and become uncomfortable after 30 minutes. For a terrace that is truly used, consider the seat depth, backrest angle, presence of armrests, table height, and the overall cushion density.

Comfort becomes even more important for lounge chairs, chaise longues, and daybeds. These are pieces where people may spend several hours.

ATOLL Maho chaise longue

Maho chaise longue

An option for creating a more refined sunbathing area, with black aluminum and teak accents.

View Maho
ATOLL Coralia round daybed

Coralia daybed

A true centerpiece for a large terrace or a pool area inspired by hospitality design.

View Coralia

5. Mix materials, but maintain a common thread

A high-end terrace does not need to be perfectly matched. On the contrary, the most beautiful spaces often combine several materials.

The secret is to repeat certain elements: an aluminum finish, a type of wood, a cushion color, or a rope texture. This allows you to mix a table, chairs, a lounge chair, and a chaise longue without making it look as though you bought four different collections.

ATOLL Marea round outdoor table in teak and aluminum

For the dining area

Marea table + Galion chairs

A round table in treated teak and aluminum works particularly well in more convivial dining areas. Pair it with chairs that incorporate teak and rope, such as the Galion chair, to create a cohesive yet varied arrangement.

View the Marea table

6. What type of outdoor furniture should you choose?

Use this table as a starting point. Each ATOLL example is clickable, allowing you to compare styles, materials, and layout types.

Your priority Furniture type Discover
Entertaining and relaxing Complete outdoor living room Alizé · Aziana · Azura
Dining outdoors Table + chairs Marea + Galion
Sunbathing Lounger Maho · Tintamarre
Boutique hotel feel Daybed Coralia · Palmora
Small relaxation nook Signature armchair Aurea · New Lounge

Compare before choosing

Alizé, Aziana, or Azura: which ATOLL lounge suits you?

Click the photos or buttons to view each set in detail. The prices below reflect the current prices in our online store and may change.

ATOLL Alizé 4-piece patio set

ATOLL Alizé

5 199 $

Signature, inviting style. Aluminum, commercial-grade rope, and Indonesian teak.

Ideal for: a large patio where the furniture becomes an architectural element.

See photos and details
ATOLL Aziana 4-piece outdoor furniture set

ATOLL Aziana

1 999 $

A contemporary set with a 3-seat sofa, two armchairs, and coffee table.

Ideal for: accommodating several people in a spacious outdoor lounge.

See photos and details
ATOLL Azura 5-piece outdoor furniture set

ATOLL Azura

1 499 $

A compact 5-piece set with a 2-seat sofa, armchairs, coffee table, and side table.

Ideal for: maximizing a smaller space without losing the feel of a complete lounge.

See photos and details
Model Price Positioning Link
Alizé 5 199 $ The most distinctive and upscale of the three Discover
Aziana 1 999 $ Excellent balance of size, design, and capacity Discover
Azura 1 499 $ Compact and versatile option Discover

The finishing touch

Add volume with artificial plants

Furniture provides structure to your patio, but decorative elements are often what truly bring the space to life. Large artificial plants can add height, create a visual screen, frame an outdoor lounge, or soften a very minimalist patio.

We have a large selection of artificial plants available directly at our Delson location, on Montreal's South Shore. They are ideal for completing an ATOLL decor without adding the maintenance required by a natural plant.

Visit our store to see them in person and create your arrangement with our furniture, tables, loungers, and accessories.

7. In Quebec, also consider maintenance and storage

The choice of furniture must take into account the realities of our climate: rain, intense sun, pollen, temperature fluctuations, and winter.

Before buying, consider where the cushions will be stored, how easy it is to move the pieces, wood maintenance and winter protection. High-end furniture deserves an appropriate care routine to preserve its appearance for as long as possible.

We will also prepare a complete ATOLL guide dedicated to caring for teak, aluminum, cushions, rope and mineral surfaces.

ATOLL collection

Create an outdoor space that truly feels like home

The ATOLL collection includes seating, tables, chairs, daybeds, lounge chairs and accent pieces designed to create a complete outdoor space rather than just a patio. Several products in this guide are clickable, allowing you to compare styles and explore each model in detail. In store, you can also complete your project with our selection of artificial plants and see the combinations in person.

Discover the entire ATOLL collection

Complete your project with a pergola or pavilion

Are you also furnishing a covered space? Discover our guide to outdoor pergolas or pavilions with ATOLL furniture. It features four concrete combinations, with photos, prices and links to the products.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about high-end outdoor furniture

What is the best material for outdoor furniture?

There is no single best material. Aluminum is versatile and contemporary, teak brings warmth and character, rope adds texture and visual comfort, while fiber cement and microcement create more architectural pieces.

How do I choose the right patio set size?

Measure the available space and leave enough clearance to move around when the chairs and armchairs are in use. Clearance is just as important as the dimensions of the furniture itself.

Can teak, aluminum and rope be mixed?

Yes. It’s actually an excellent way to create a richer look. Simply repeat certain colors or materials to maintain visual consistency.

Where can I see ATOLL furniture?

Discover the ATOLL collection at Piscine Hippocampe in Delson and online. Our team can also help you coordinate tables, chairs, seating and accent pieces according to your space.

Previous Next