From the living area, we know the console table as a space-saving piece of storage furniture, a subtle display surface, and a discreetly structuring element in any interior design style. Furniture of this type is usually placed discreetly against a wall or behind the sofa; it elegantly enhances a window nook or warmly welcomes you in the entryway. Yet on the balcony or patio, such a versatile and practical piece of furniture is often missing, even though it would be extremely useful given the usually limited space. That’s why our console table from the “Kumpel” furniture series is well-suited to filling this gap. Made entirely of powder-coated metal, it impresses with the same design details as all the furniture in this series—not to mention its rust protection. Hidden screw threads on the underside ensure a durable and secure connection between the narrow table’s top and its four legs. (The appropriate number of screws and the necessary assembly hardware are included with your delivery.)

Placed near the house wall or against the balcony railing, or in the transition from the patio to the lawn or perennial bed, the console table serves the same purposes outdoors as it does indoors. Potted flowering plants and herbs can be arranged into an attractive display, complemented by a lantern and candles, glasses, and drinks. On a small city balcony, the space under the table can be used as additional storage (for a small bag of potting soil, a weed bin and hand tools, flower fertilizer, and a seed-starting tray…). We offer our “Kumpel” console table in two sizes. The taller version works just as well as a standing table if you ever have more guests than there are seats available.

It’s rare to come across pieces of furniture that win us over at first glance. Because they have nothing superfluous about them—for example, because their forms are minimalist yet designed with a rich use of materials—they possess an almost graceful elegance and lightness while remaining surprisingly sturdy and stable. Enter: this outdoor furniture, crafted entirely from solid steel with a vibrant powder-coated finish. The gently rounded edges and legs that taper gracefully downward on the bench, stool, and tables create a striking contrast to the material’s heaviness. Thus, each piece unmistakably bears the hallmark of industrial design. 

As natives of the Ruhr region, our product manager for the garden collection and our in-house product developer quickly agreed: this furniture can only be nicknamed “Kumpel”—after all, Manufactum’s headquarters has been located on the grounds of the historic coal mine complex in Waltrop since 1998. The former central machine hall houses our offices, while the washhouse serves as our store. But the chosen name also hints at something else that we find almost more important: With this furniture, you’re bringing friends into your home—friends for life. Although we classify them as garden and balcony furniture, we can easily imagine the console tables and the bench (or even the stool) fitting perfectly into an apartment—perhaps next to the entryway coat rack or as an exciting addition to wooden shelves and dining tables.