You might be forgiven for picturing mid-century furniture inside the home; an angular sofa, perhaps, or a set of organically curving dining chairs around a minimalist table. In reality, there are plenty of similarly stylish outdoor furniture pieces too.
Thanks to the style’s pared-back design features and focus on long-lasting materials like metal and sturdy plastic, there’s no shortage of pieces that work beautifully in the garden. Many of them come from the famous brand Vitra, which is behind some iconic designs, from the Eames lounge chair and ottoman to the Noguchi coffee table with its carved two-part wooden base and glass top.
The brand got its start in 1953, when Swiss entrepreneur Willi Fehlbaum and his wife Erika spotted Charles and Ray Eames’ stylish chairs on a trip to New York and bought the licence to produce them, alongside other designers, across Europe.
Now is the chance to save on many of Vitra’s famous designs in the Heal’s summer sale. Scroll down to see our picks, plus some extras to consider if you want to give your garden a big style upgrade.
The best of the Vitra sale at Heal’s
These mid-century designs ooze cool and add instant style and character to any outdoor space. Impress garden guests with one of these beautiful pieces.
Vitra Flower Coffee Table £595 £505
The flower coffee table dates back to the 1970s, when Alexander Girard first created it for Indiana’s famous mid-century Miller House, which still displays it today. But despite its history, this piece feels right on trend today, with its scalloped edge tapping into the current interiors style.
As it’s made from steel with a textured powder coating, it’s durable enough to be left outdoors in poor weather, so it would make a lovely addition to a garden seating area. Buy it in small or large, both 15% off.
Vitra Panton chair £335 £284
The Panton is the world’s first chair created from a single piece of plastic, designed with Vitra by the Danish designer Verner Panton. Thanks to its durable construction, it’ll survive outdoors, and would look just as stylish clustered around a dining table as it would dotted next to a small coffee table.
We love the seven colour options available; go bold with black or red, try pastels with soft mint or pale rose, or keep it classic white.
Vitra Eames DKR Wire Chair £500 £425
A grid of welded steel wire and recognisable ‘Eiffel Tower base’ give this mid-century design its iconic look. Bringing an industrial feel to stripped-back mid-century style, it’s a great choice for more modern gardens.
We love how Heal’s shows it styled alongside the Panton chair around an outdoor dining table in the product images. Get it in ‘basic dark’, or go for white for a summery, laid-back look.
Vitra Hang It All Coat Rack £265 £225
Who says something as simple as a coat rack can’t be fun? Charles and Ray Eames’ bobble pegs will instantly jazz up a boot room or backdoor area, and give you plenty of space to hang up coats, accessories and even gardening tools.
They come in six different finishes, including a multicoloured one and a Scandi-esque white and natural pine look.
More mid-century sale deals
Vitra isn’t the only brand offering discounted mid-century furniture pieces in the Heal’s summer sale. We’ve found these beautiful pieces too…
Knoll Saarinen Outdoor Coffee Table £1,116 £948 / Knoll Saarinen Outdoor Dining Table £7,104 £6,038
Named after designer Eero Saarinen, the 1950s Saarinen collection eliminates “ugly” legs under tables and chairs by having a single, curving base underneath. It’s a stark contrast to the Eames DKR Wire Chair, and a great choice if your tastes are more minimalist…
These specifically designed outdoor tables can be left out all year round, thanks to their hard-wearing materials. There’s a matching Tulip Chair in the Saarinen collection, but you could pair the table with the Panton chair or the Eames DKR Wire Chair if you’re after something you can leave outside.
Masters chair £223 £178
As the name hints, the Masters chair is an amalgamation of three famous 20th century designs: Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7, Charles and Ray Eames’ DSW, and Eero Saarinen’s Tulip, so you can celebrate three icons in one! There are also small and large stool versions – perfect for outdoor bars – and they’re all 20% off right now.
They’re made from lightweight injection-moulded technopolymer to survive the elements outdoors.
Check out the product page to see the clever short animation showing how the chair incorporates all three designs.
For the garden room…
These iconic pieces would work perfectly in a garden room or conservatory.
Vitra Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman £8,995 £7,645
Charles & Ray Eames designed the iconic lounge chair back in 1956, and now it has an update from Vitra. Find both the original and new version in various finishes in the Heal’s sale, all 15% off.
The gently shaped plywood, gleaming aluminium accents and leather upholstery make this a statement piece with instant wow-factor.
Vitra Grand Relax Chair & Ottoman £9,830 £8,355
For a slightly more minimalist design with a nod to retro style, try Vitra’s Grand Relax chair and ottoman. With its all-leather finish – complete with matching upholstered control knob – this is an investment piece, currently available at 15% off.
Vitra Noguchi Coffee Table £2,230 £1,895
Possibly one of the most famous original mid-century furniture designs around, the Noguchi table is a classic. Look closely and you’ll see the base is actually made of two identical wooden pieces, available here in either walnut or black ash.
Find more beautiful sale pieces for your garden in our full round-up: Heal's has just taken up to 50% off garden furniture and accessories. Here are the best deals.