Hamburg  - Balconies and gardens are beginning to look more like the living-room as garden sofas, waterproof rugs and special standing lamps are being used outdoors more frequently, the association of Creative Interior Designers said recently in Hamburg.

Many manufacturers have launched all weather collections this year.

Heavy teak furniture is going out of fashion as more and more people are opting for light furniture which is easy to move about. The tops are also hardier in rainy weather, they added.

Even cushions no longer have to be taken indoors every evening as they are now made from robust, all weather synthetic materials. (dpa)