Comfort combined with efficiency. Revolution in outdoor furniture

Dutch brand Bubalou has been aiming to shake up the outdoor furniture market since 2017. The company does this with outdoor furniture that combines the design and comfort of an indoor sofa with durable and weather-resistant materials, so they can be outdoors all year round.

"Actually Bubalou started as a joke," says CEO/Owner Marco Verschut. "I had decades of experience in the furniture industry when I couldn't find a good garden set myself. That was the reason for me to design my own sofa. Together with companion Tom, I decided to market it and that's how the idea grew into a serious business."

According to Verschut, good outdoor furniture has to meet a number of requirements. "My first requirement was that they had to be able to stand outside all year round. In addition, I wanted to have a dry butt and not have to drag cushions around." These features come together in Bubalou's furniture, which brings the ergonomics and comfort of indoor furniture outdoors. 

"The upholstery fabrics we use have a laminated backing. As a result, water does not soak through the fabric but runs off. The same applies to other liquids, such as coffee and wine." The 100% waterproof fabric is antibacterial and does not mould. "This is one of the reasons why more luxurious B&Bs and rental villas choose our products. They thus combine comfort with convenience."

Verschut continues: "Our products are perfectly suited to the needs of hotels. Carrying pillows is no longer necessary and the terrace is always ready for use. That saves four man hours a day in a flash, which staff can obviously spend much better." Meanwhile, the Bubalou collection, manufactured in Europe, has expanded to include various lounge sets, as well as lighting and accessories. "We can no longer be left out as a lifestyle brand in the outdoor sector and will be showing all our products at the Independent Hotel show in March."

Bubalou's lounge sets are modular, making them suitable for both large and smaller terraces. "For restaurant Sophias Leeuwarden, we supplied the furniture for their huge terraces. Often our furniture is combined with lower tables, so guest can enjoy finger food from the bench." Verschut sees a shift in the hospitality industry, with the focus of dinner guests changing. "Increasingly, they are focusing on guests who come for drinks and lounging, and possibly stay for dinner afterwards. We want to improve hotel and hospitality hospitality hospitality by offering comfortable seating solutions to match this need."

The basic shapes and colours of the Bubalou are deliberately basic. "Trends come and go. This is why it is important that our furniture is largely timeless. It is precisely with the decoration that the hotel can then add accents and give their terrace a unique look." That doesn't mean the company ignores trends. "We try to be ahead of the industry in terms of design. For example, we have had the Roundabout armchair in our range for four years now, while every self-respecting indoor furniture brand now comes out with round armchairs." The Bended sofa also has a round shape. "That one may not be the most practical because of its shape, which are the U- and L-shaped sofas, but it is the most beautiful." Another eye-catching model is the KniQ outdoor lounge set, with a kinked corner, so there is room to swing open the patio door to the outside and create a spatial effect.

Bubalou can be found on stand F19 at the Independent Hotelshow on 14 and 15 March.