Patio Perfection: Kirstyn Verbaan on Outdoor Living Trends with Mon Exteriors

As outdoor living takes centre stage in home design, discerning homeowners are seeking more than just utility—they want spaces that are as stylish, sustainable, and comfortable as their indoor counterparts. In this spirit, we sit down with Kirstyn Verbaan, the creative force behind Mon Exteriors, to explore the evolving world of luxury outdoor furniture and how to transform patios, pool decks, and terraces into inviting sanctuaries.

What are the dominant patio design trends you’re seeing right now?

Seamless indoor/outdoor living remains a foremost consideration for homeowners – outdoor entertaining is a large part of the South African way of life, so it’s important that the same level of attention and care is given to patio spaces so that the flow between indoor and out is effortless. As a result, we see more attention being given to patio layout, space utilisation and higher-quality furnishings.

Comfort as a top-of-mind consideration – more generous proportions in actual sizing of furniture, more luxurious / deeper cushions and overall better ergonomics in outdoor spaces.

Multifunctionality – most outdoor areas have to tick the boxes of multiple purposes – dining / hosting / relaxing / cooking / space for the kids and pets to play. Consumers often look for multifunctional pieces of furniture that can follow suit – for example, casual dining sets that combine sofa-style seating with a dining table and chairs, or nifty sofas that can be changed into daybeds.

Neutral tones, natural finishes and textures with colourful accents to add personality

How is the idea of ‘quiet luxury’ influencing outdoor design?

If we look at how the concept of ‘quiet luxury’ emphasizes understated sophistication, quality and craftsmanship – we see the same principles being applied by all the best outdoor furniture designers. Premium-quality materials worked into timeless designs make for a sophisticated selection of furniture that is subtle, understated and long-lasting.

Which materials and colour palettes are defining the current outdoor aesthetic?

We’re seeing a move toward more easy-living materials over timber (aluminium and rope combinations are a particular favourite for the Summer Season ahead). Whilst absolutely stunning and worth the upkeep, wooden outdoor furniture pieces do demand a lot of TLC in our climate, so the move is toward having timber features as accents only vs full frame construction.

Colour-wise we’re working a lot with neutrals – these are versatile and practical options that lend themselves to a wide range of outdoor spaces: dune-inspired, light-coloured neutrals with a soft, grounding warmth, and stone-hued darker neutrals that are understated, sleek and timelessly cool.

Curves and softer silhouettes are trending—what’s driving this shift, and how can people incorporate it into their patios?

Organic shapes with their feminine quality are all about gentle comfort, a feeling of warmth and visual softness in a space. Our lives are busier than ever so when it comes time to wind down – we want to do it in comfort, luxury and softness – and feel that embracing sense of true relaxation. Visually, curved pieces also improve spatial flow, and can in turn make a space feel more inviting and less cluttered.

Mixed materials are popular — are there any standout combinations or new approaches you’re seeing?

For us the main focus for 2025/’26 Season is on the perfect balance of Aluminium and Outdoor Rope. Aluminium does all the heavy lifting – it is such a practical material for the South African climate – whilst rope detailing brings a modern, designer-edge to pieces whilst offering strong, comfortable support.

Is comfort still a top priority in outdoor design, and what features help enhance it?

Absolutely and more than ever, the designers that we work with are increasingly focusing on creating outdoor furniture that provides at least the same level of comfort as indoor furnishings. Seating depth, cushion thickness, fabric selection and ergonomic considerations all combine to create a piece of outdoor furniture that you’ll gladly spend a lazy afternoon on.

What’s new in outdoor lighting, and how can it elevate a patio space?

Just the same way that the right lighting can make or break any indoor space – the same can be said for outdoor spaces. An overly-illuminated outdoor living area can make one feel as if they are under flood-lights – not romantic or relaxing at all. A subtly-lit outdoor space creates a magical ambiance that encourages us to stay outdoors even after the sun sets. For the Season ahead, we are all about portable, nifty solar lights – great for tabletops, walkways, paths and around the braai. Subtle, sophisticated designs in a variety of materials – our new outdoor lighting collection is playful and practical.