Not Just For the Big Kids

When we talk about custom furniture in all shapes and sizes we really mean it

Growing up, I remember always having to sit at the kids table during family gatherings. It was usually something thrown together at the last minute and put away after each gathering. Bought for cheap, usually made of brightly coloured plastic and wouldn’t last in the elements but it doesn’t always have to be that way.

Although our main focus is on furniture for the big “kids” we have had a number of requests for furniture for the little kids and it all started with the picnic table that we made.

The picnic table that started the real demand for custom pieces

This picnic table was our first true piece of custom furniture as it steered away from the timber and steel industrial look that we started out with. We were presented with the question of possibly making a smaller version for kids and we thought, why not? The trickiest part was getting the measurement right, not too small that growing kids would out size it too quickly but also not too big that it would be unsuitable for smaller children. Once we got the sizing right the table itself came together pretty quickly. The first one that we made was adapted to be pulled apart and put back together as it needed to be transported interstate and space was an issue. In saying that, the overall design and structural integrity wasn’t compromised in any way. Take a look at the picture below and see for yourself.

Miniature picnic table. How adorable!

At the end of last year we were approached by a local primary school who had seen our kids picnic table and were interested in adding one to the playground for the kids to enjoy at recess and lunch. Like all of our products we make, this one was slightly different from the first and included an umbrella hole to provide same shade for the kids during their outdoor time.

This picnic table will get plenty of use for years to come

Although we have only made picnic tables for kids, the sky is the limit for what we can make for them. Be sure to keep an eye on our socials this month for the reveal of something else miniature that we are currently working on.

Got something in mind for your kids? Email us to bring the vision alive.

Styling Your Outdoor Furniture for Adelaide Summers

With the warmer weather finally here it’s time for a lot more outdoor dining and entertaining, but maybe you’ve neglected your alfresco area and your furniture is in need of some TLC. No need to worry because all of our outdoor products are built to last and will survive any weather conditions. The powder coated frames will last for years and are highly resistant to UV rays, rain and temperature changes and we only use solid timber, made to be outside. Before Christmas I noticed that our setting was looking a little unloved so I spent half a Saturday sanding and re-staining the Merbau. I finished up by giving the frames a wipe over with a cloth and it came up looking brand new.

A before and after of our outdoor setting. I only took half a day and little effort to have it looking like new again.

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I have always thought of our furniture range as the standout feature of any outdoor area so styling can be kept to a minimum. Think along the lines of a potted plant, a fresh bunch of flowers for a pop of colour or a modern looking citronella candle (to keep those pesky mozzies away). In saying all of that, I did go a little extra for Christmas but tend to keep it to a minimum on the day to day. Check out the photo below to see how I dressed up our table for Christmas Day. I had a lot of fun doing this and our guests appreciated the extra effort I went to. I don’t mind a bit of themed styling every now and then.

At the end of the day, styling is personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer. Treat your table like a blank canvas and let your imagination run wild. I would love to see how other people have styled their Adelaide Hills Outdoor Furniture products. If you would like to share, send me your pictures on either Facebook or Instagram. I may even feature them on our website…

I’m always looking for ideas on how to style our products for photos before we deliver to our customers and what better way to find that inspiration from our customer base.

It goes without saying, that even though our tables require minimum upkeep there is still some work involved to keep them looking new and fresh. My inbox is always open for helpful hints or you can always handball the work to us, like our friends at Tillbrook Estate did. They asked if we would be able to re-stain their tables for them as they just didn’t have the time. We happily picked their tables up and within a week we dropped them back of looking brand new. Simple.

Here’s to a fabulous 2026 full of hard work, creativity and growing our little business.

Our Favourite Furniture Projects of the Year

As the year comes to an end and we send out our final orders I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on the year that was.

This year we continued to learn and broaden our horizons. We took on a couple of specialized projects and opened up to take on more indoor pieces? Business rebrand for 2026??

If you were to ask me what my favourite piece of the year was. I would say all of them. We put a lot of hard work and care into every project that comes our way and its always worth it when we see the end result.

In February we made a gorgeous TV unit to tie n with an existng piece. This particular customer lives interstate so it was a little tricky to get the perfect match based off photos but I think we nailed it

In keeping with the theme of making new product to match existing pieces, we were contacted by a lady who was wanting to get a dining table to match a piece she already had in her home. The reason she contacted us was because the original creator was no longer in business. This one was a little tricky for us and unlike anything we’d done before but the customer entrustd us with this project and we did our very best. The end product was a gorgeous redgum table with ironbark for the base and legs. We used epoxy to fill in any gaps in the grain, gave it a light oil to enhance the natural features of the redgum and the finished with a hardtop wax to seal the top. Yet another reason to move into indoor.

Next up, we were asked by a customer if we could make a cupboard and storage bench to go outside undercover. We used a combination of galvanized steel and silver top ash, finished with a clear furniture oil to create something sleek, durable and functional. This was an absolute winner with our customer and I think you can see why.

As the weather stared to cool down, the attention turned to indoor living spaces and before long, orders for hallway tables were coming in thick and fast. Or main focus was always on outdoor furniture but whenever we had some downtime our attention turned to upgrading our furniture. I had always wanted a hallway table to go in the sunroom under the window for a plant display so I got one :) With anything that we make, I photographed it and put it up on our socials. It wasn’t long before we were taking orders for custom hallway tables. These are so easy to make and the choices are endless, which allows for you to create something truly unique.

We now look forward to the year aheadad what we hope will be another year of hard work and creating one of a kind pieces. Thank you to everyone that followed along on our journey, our suppliers for always providing exceptional materials and our customers. A big thank you to those who purchased a product from us. Without you, I wouldn’t be here writing this wrap up and sharing your gorgeous pieces. Merry Christmas, happy new year and see you in 2026.

Scott and Charlotte

The Perfect Dining Table for Hosting a Christmas Feast

With the silly season approaching, it’s time to make a list and check it twice.

Menu sorted? Signature cocktail picked out? Secret Santa organised? Décor all ready to go? How about the perfect table?

Christmas Day is usually the one day of the year that the folding table comes out and the camping chairs are used as dining chairs. Everything else is executed perfectly but the dining situation is usually lacking and do we ever ask why? This year why don’t you make the table the standout piece for the gorgeous themed décor and the delicious food you spent hours preparing.

We can work with you to create the perfect dining setting for either outdoor or indoor. Big family? Small family? It doesn’t matter. All of our tables are custom made as big or as small as you need and we offer matching bench seats. Weather you’re after a table, complete set or just benches we can do it all.

Don’t forget to check out our homewares range for gifts and Christmas Day décor. Speaking of Christmas décor, we have decided to bring back the timber Christmas trees this year. Available to purchase as a set of three, or individually to create your own combination. These will be posted on our socials so keep an eye out.

We’ll be showcasing ready made products for immediate delivery, including some stunning indoor dining tables. Please note that ready made stock will be limited but we will sill be taking orders for anything custom. We will also be posting regular updates for pre-Christmas ordering and cut off times.

Order now for pre-Christmas delivery.

The Art of Custom Furniture: Why Made-to-Order is Worth It

What was the inspiration behind Adelaide Hills Outdoor Furniture?

Where we live the market for outdoor furniture is incredibly lacking. In Mount Barker we have two furniture retailers and three major hardware retailers that all stock outdoor furniture. The problems we noticed when researching and shopping around for an outdoor dining set of our own?

• Price
  The products on offer are either expensive beyond what most people can afford or so cheap that it will only last one summer.

• Variety
  Ready made outdoor furniture is often generic and has no personality. Dining tables/sets often come in one size, which limits a lot of people because the product is either too small or too big. Dining sets are sold as a package and there isn’t an option to mix and match or even buy pieces separately.

• Durability

  Cheap mass produced often means questionable materials and longevity. Unless it is specified there is no way of knowing what the product is actually made from, where the materials are sourced from and if its ethically sourced.

These reasons are what inspired us to start our business and it started with the set below, which is exactly what we wanted for ourselves and would become the sample for the launch of Adelaide Hills Outdoor Furniture.

All of our products are affordable, made with care and will last a lifetime. We only use local suppliers and support other small businesses.

When we say that we offer custom made furniture we really mean it. Check out this one of a kind set we made last year. This customer wanting something that would match her personality and the existing shed in her backyard. The customer provided the paint and the rest was left up to us. Brief nailed!

With custom made furniture you get exactly what you want and we are with you through every aspect of the design process. Needing your furniture colour matched to existing chairs or even the fence or verandah? Too easy. Our Powder coater has an extensive range of colours to match just about anything. We have worked with a couple of customers that already had outdoor chairs and wanted their table frame to match. For other customers, its important to match the timber table top with their deck, which is also easily achieved with an extensive range of timber stains.

We always get excited when a new request for a custom made piece hits our inbox so what are you waiting for? We’re ready to help bring your vision to life.

Spring Styling Inspiration:

3m Merbau table with steel frame powder coated in Monument Grey. Perfectly matched with customers own chairs. Photo courtesy of our customer.

With the days getting longer and a touch of spring in the air, its time to start thinking about your dream outdoor space. Maybe it just needs a little refresh or perhaps a complete overhaul. Already have that statement piece dining set? How about a matching coffee table or end tables? An outdoor bar table would be a great addition for entertaining. Or maybe, you’re a green thumb like me and need to inject some life into your growing plant collection?

All of our outdoor products are made to withstand the elements and changing conditions so you don’t even need to have a covered outdoor space. Our Merbau table and bench set has held up exceptionally well for 3+ years of harsh summers and wet winters. We put in the protective measures during the production process so you don’t have you, ensuring quality and peace of mind for many years to come.

We have you covered from a new outdoor dining set, accessory pieces, plant stands and everything in between. The only limit is your imagination. Check out our new gallery for that spring inspiration and if you can’t find what your looking for, get in touch to bring your vision to life.

Not only does Spring mark the change in weather, it also brings us our busy season and August was the start of that. We shipped off a bulk order of Merbau table and bench sets to Wolf Blass Winery in Nurioopta and sent a couple of signature benches to a customer interstate, which is always a bonus for us. We must be doing something right if people are wanting to buy our product going by photos alone.

Our crowning achievement this month was designing something completely different from scratch and seeing happy faces from the customers on delivery day. This set is comprised of a gorgeous slatted Blackbutt timber top with a slim hidden skeleton frame. This allows for the timber top to be a standout feature and gives the whole piece extra support.

To finish off the month we created a pair of the cutest benches I have ever seen. This job came about after seeing someone post on a local Facebook group so we reached out. They were after something pretty specific and had a tight budget to work with. After a bit of back and forth we came up with the final design. Made from recycled pine (minimal waste here) and finished with a stain to enhance the rustic vibe, this project was completed in a weekend. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself!

That’s it for me for the moment. I’ll be back next month but in the meantime you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated xo