Grythyttan Stålmöbler: Garden Furniture Designs Steeped in Swedish Heritage
|
|
Time to read 5 min
Over the last couple of years, the general trend in garden furniture has leant towards architectural, minimalistic shapes with metal construction. Whilst this style can suit many different outdoor spaces, it’s not for everyone. Instead of making an impact, traditional and timeless outdoor furniture styles sit quietly within a space, offering function whilst subtly elevating their surroundings.
Enter Grythyttan Stålmöbler: Swedish outdoor furniture makers with a longstanding heritage within Nordic design history. Their outdoor furniture designs focus on expert Swedish craftsmanship, using a mix of quality hardwood and steel to create timeless pieces that are loved for years. Last year was their celebration of 130 years in furniture design.
Featuring the Grythyttan Stålmöbler Outdoor Armchair A2
Featuring the Grythyttan Stålmöbler Outdoor Bistro Set
In Scandinavia, outdoor furniture has long been designed with longevity in mind. Gardens, terraces and summer houses are extensions of the home, places where furniture must withstand changing seasons while still feeling comfortable and welcoming. This philosophy has shaped generations of Nordic designers, and few brands embody it more clearly than Grythyttan Stålmöbler.
The Origins of Grythyttan Stålmöbler: From Forge to Furniture
Their story begins in 1895 at a forge in Grythyttan, Sweden. Back then, the family run business made the finest quality axes and horseshoes. After following in his father Karl’s footsteps Artur Lindqvist began building an interest and expertise in crafting more than just horseshoes.
For Sweden’s 1930 Stockholm Exhibition, Artur exhibited a chair design that would later become an icon within Swedish cultural heritage. The A2 armchair was constructed with wooden slats and a sprung steel cantilever base. The chair has a gentle rocking sensation when sat on, giving it a unique relaxing quality. It was this that made the chair instantly popular and it remains one of Grythyttan Stålmöbler’s most recognisable designs today.
Featuring the Grythyttan Stålmöbler Outdoor Armchair A2
The Classic Series: An Icon of Swedish Outdoor Living
After the popularity of the A2 Armchair, a full collection followed shortly including the A3 lounge chair and matching garden tables. This first range of outdoor furniture makes up the Grythyttan Stålmöbler Classic Series. Each piece is crafted from high quality oak or untreated teak – perfect choices of material for wooden outdoor furniture as they are both so hardwearing and stand up to varied weather conditions.
The designs share the same language of wooden slats and steel frames, combining to create seamless garden furniture setups that enrich the surroundings they are placed within. Each frame is either galvanised or black powder coated, making the pieces rust resistant and extremely durable.
Featuring the Grythyttan Stalmobler Outdoor Sunlounger A3
The Classic Series is a very versatile collection. Because of its timeless and traditional design, it looks good in a variety of outdoor spaces. The simplicity of the designs feel at home in both traditional and modern gardens, where the wood offers a touch of warmth and tactility.
The Brewery Series: Garden furniture made for social gathering
With its roots in the Swedish beer houses of the late 1800s, the Grythyttan Stålmöbler Brewery Series offers another iconic design. Brewery tables and Brewery chairs are designed to provide supportive seating, for evenings that become “long and cheerful”. This series celebrates the outdoor gatherings with family and friends and the simple joy of good company.
Characterised by their lightweight appearance Brewery chairs and tables feature a curved galvanised steel frame that repeats throughout the collection. The folding nature of the designs means they are perfect outdoor furniture for impromptu gatherings.
The Brewery Series has a slightly decorative turn-of-the-century aesthetic that is well suited to more traditional gardens or modern spaces that lean towards fluidity and organic shapes rather than clean lined minimalism.
Timeless Designs and Traditional Techniques
The unique history and heritage of Grythyttan Stålmöbler shapes the brand’s identity and how they approach the design of their contemporary products. Each piece is still forged and made by hand, using the traditional techniques passed on by Karl and Artur Lindqvist. Alongside their heritage classics, they also collaborate with leading contemporary Scandinavian designers to create modern collections that share the same traditional sensibilities.
Skilled craftsmanship is at the heart of everything Grythyttan do, prioritising slow production rather than mass production. They take pride in their deep knowledge of materials, and every plank, curve and screw is as important as the finished product. In 2022, they became part of the Network of Design (NOD) together with several other classic Swedish brands with a long tradition of making furniture.
Grythyttan is also conscious of the environment and the impact their designs have on the planet. They use 100% FSC certified wood, ensuring they source materials from responsible sources. Materials are also fully recyclable and repairable.
The real value of the Grythyttan Stålmöbler furniture is its ability to look good over time, even with years of use. Over time the oak and teak slats used in their designs soften in tone, developing a natural patina that reflects years of outdoor living. It’s this quiet ageing process that gives Grythyttan furniture its distinctive character. They are pieces that feel more at home with every passing season.
While the designs date back nearly a century, Grythyttan Stålmöbler furniture feels remarkably relevant in modern outdoor spaces. The combination of steel and natural wood offers warmth without heaviness, making the pieces equally suited to contemporary terraces, country gardens and architectural outdoor spaces.
Today the Grythyttan Stålmöbler range includes the timeless Classic Series and the sociable Brewery Series, each offering chairs, benches and tables designed for outdoor living. Whether arranged around a garden dining table or placed on a quiet terrace, the pieces create relaxed seating areas built to last for decades.
Their understated aesthetic allows them to sit comfortably alongside both traditional landscaping and modern architecture. This is a rare quality that explains why these designs have remained popular for generations.
See Grythyttan Stålmöbler in the outdoor space of Fowlescombe Farm >
Learn more about Swedish design in our Q&A with Gythyttan Stålmöbler CMO Bo Hellberg >
Written by Ian Fourie:
As Data Manager at Holloways of Ludlow, Ian Fourie is the gatekeeper of detail. With a sharp eye for accuracy and structure, he ensures every product listing, specification and update is meticulously managed - a vital role in a fast-paced, design-led environment. His passion for precision extends into his personal taste, where a love for beautifully crafted design and the finer things in life shines through.
A former professional drummer, Ian still carries an impeccable sense of rhythm - though these days, it’s more often found in spreadsheets than on stage. He lives in a charming townhouse in Shrewsbury with two cats, a record collection to be proud of, and a garden he swears he'll tackle next weekend.