Nature, Framed: Carl Hansen’s Modern Icons for the Outdoors

The Art of Living Alfresco: Carl Hansen's Outdoor Icons

There’s something quietly magical about Danish design — that unmistakable blend of clarity and warmth, simplicity and soul. And no one captures that spirit quite like Carl Hansen. A name synonymous with honest craftsmanship and Nordic sophistication, the company has been shaping the world of furniture since 1908. While much has been written about their iconic indoor pieces — the sculptural silhouettes of Hans J. Wegner, the tactile precision of Kaare Klint — it’s outdoors where Carl Hansen is now setting the scene for a new kind of living.

Carl Hansen's outdoor collection is not about following trends. It’s about creating permanence. Think pared-back teak forms that soften with age, chairs that look like they’ve been passed down (even when brand new), and proportions that sit comfortably between architecture and air. There’s a rhythm to these pieces — a kind of sculptural restraint that invites calm.

The BK Series: A Modernist Masterpiece by Bodil Kjær

In 1959, Danish architect and designer Bodil Kjær created The BK Series, a collection of sculptural outdoor furniture that captured the modernist spirit of the time. Designed while working in the United States, Kjær sought to produce pieces that felt like a natural extension of the clean-lined architecture emerging around her—furniture not just for lounging, but for living with intention.

Made from solid teak, the series includes everything from the angular BK11 Lounge Chair to the sun-drenched BK14 Sunbed and BK15 Dining Table. Each design is a study in proportion—crisp, linear, and deeply architectural, yet always with comfort in mind. Over time, the wood develops a silvery patina, echoing the series’ blend of Scandinavian sensibility and international modernism.

Kjær called it “furniture for modern architecture,” and decades later, the sentiment still resonates. Still in production today, The BK Series remains a benchmark of minimalist elegance. It’s part of a broader legacy that includes her now-iconic Working Table (also 1959)—a functionalist dream that made its way into James Bond films—and a range of refined modular office systems and lighting. Her work continues to inspire, defined by restraint, purpose, and the quiet confidence of great design.

Alfred Homann’s AH Outdoor Series: Quiet Harmony in Teak

Alfred Homann always understood that the best design doesn’t need to speak loudly. With the AH Outdoor Series, his vision is rendered in its purest form—quietly precise, beautifully crafted, and effortlessly in tune with its surroundings. Created for Carl Hansen, the collection captures the ease of outdoor living with the architectural sensitivity that defined Homann’s career.

Made from FSC®-certified teak, each piece is shaped with soft edges and subtle curves—design you can feel before you even sit down. The AH603 Deck Chair invites a lean-back moment, generous and grounding, while the AH501 Dining Chair feels tailored yet relaxed. Even the AH911 Folding Table is designed with an elegant practicality that never feels utilitarian. It’s all part of Homann’s gentle rhythm—where function meets form, and the result is utterly timeless.

Everything in the collection is meant to age with grace. The teak softens to a silvery grey, echoing the passing of seasons—an aesthetic choice as much as a material truth. It’s this kind of considered detail that defines Homann’s legacy: design that doesn’t interrupt the landscape, but rather, becomes part of it.

Børge Mogensen’s Outdoor Series: The Soul of Danish Design, Under Open Skies

Best known for his deeply functional interiors, Mogensen brought the same thoughtful restraint to his Outdoor Series, originally conceived in the 1970s. Now reissued by Carl Hansen, these pieces feel as relevant today as they did then—rooted in honesty, craftsmanship, and the everyday poetry of good design.

Crafted in untreated FSC®-certified teak, the collection is defined by clean lines and solid construction. There’s the BM5568 Deck Chair, all relaxed elegance with its gently reclined frame and slatted seat—perfectly foldable and designed for lingering summer afternoons. The BM3670 Dining Table and BM3670 Dining Chair follow Mogensen’s hallmark approach: strong silhouettes softened by simplicity, made to work just as beautifully on a city terrace as in a sun-dappled garden.

What makes these pieces so enduring is their humility. They’re built to be used—stacked, folded, left out in the elements—and they grow more beautiful with time. The patina that develops on the teak only adds to their charm, echoing Mogensen’s belief that good furniture should age naturally, with grace.

There’s a reason Børge Mogensen remains a cornerstone of Danish design. With the Outdoor Series, he reminds us that the best pieces are those that live with us, quietly and well—season after season.

Timbur Outdoor Bench by Gudmundur Ludvik

Designed in 2023 as his debut for Carl Hansen, the Timbur Outdoor Bench is Gudmundur Ludvik’s ode to honest materials and considered design. With roots in carpentry and cabinetmaking, the Icelandic designer brings a hands-on sensibility to his work—an understanding of form from the inside out. Named after the Icelandic word for "timber," Timbur is crafted in FSC-certified teak, its minimalist silhouette defined by generous proportions and quietly expressive joinery.

There’s a softness to its strength: a gently reclined backrest, broad armrests that double as side tables, and a calm sturdiness that invites pause. Stripped back to its essence, the design celebrates teak in its raw state—untreated and ready to weather, aging gracefully with each passing season.

Flat-packed and modular, it’s as thoughtful in construction as it is in spirit. A slim, weather-resistant cushion adds comfort, though the bench itself offers everything you need—an elegant place to sit, stay, and take in the outdoors, slowly.

MG501 Cuba Chair: Relaxed Elegance Meets Outdoor Living

MG501 Cuba Chair carries a quiet authority—subtle yet unmistakably present. Inspired by the regal form of royal thrones but freed from any heaviness, it embraces a laid-back, open silhouette that feels modern and inviting. Designed to fold and move with ease, it’s the kind of chair that makes comfort look effortless.

Carl Hansen had reimagined this classic for the outdoors, crafting it from untreated FSC™-certified teak paired with tightly woven, weather-resistant rope. The teak frame, rich with natural oils, will naturally age to a soft, silvery patina, while the rope seat wraps the body with gentle support and flexibility. Lightweight and practical, the chair folds away simply—though once you settle in, you’ll want to stay a while.

Discreet steel brackets reinforce the structure, ensuring durability through changing seasons without compromising the chair’s refined silhouette. The MG501 is more than just outdoor furniture—it’s a blend of heritage and modernity, perfect for those slow, barefoot moments when time seems to pause.

The Embrace Series by EOOS

The collaboration between Carl Hansen and EOOS on the Embrace Outdoor Series is a quiet celebration of form and function. Rooted in EOOS’s signature sculptural grace, the collection reimagines outdoor furniture with soft, flowing lines that invite rest and reflection. Crafted from weather-resistant materials, each piece feels both durable and tactile—like a gentle embrace from nature itself.

Here, form follows feeling. The Embrace Lounge Chair wraps its arms around you with an effortless sweep, while the modular sofa encourages slow, sun-drenched conversations that stretch into the evening. Even the coffee table, low-slung and elemental, feels drawn from nature’s own vocabulary—smooth, grounded, essential. And yet, beneath the serenity lies a rigor of craftsmanship that is unmistakably Danish.

Sustainably sourced teak weathers with grace, taking on the patina of time without losing its integrity. Cushions are designed to withstand the elements yet remain luxuriously soft to the touch. Every piece is made to last—not just in structure, but in spirit.

Standouts include the Embrace Lounge Chair, with its sweeping curves that cradle the body effortlessly; the modular Embrace Sofa, designed for relaxed, versatile seating; and the Embrace Coffee Table, a minimalist companion with smooth, organic lines. Together, these pieces embody a refined balance of craftsmanship and fluid design—perfect for serene moments under open skies.

Find Your Quiet with Carl Hansen at Rouse Home

Whether you're drawn to the architectural poise of Bodil Kjær’s BK Series, the sculptural calm of Alfred Homann’s AH601 Lounge Chair, or the effortless charm of the MG501 Cuba Chair, you’ll find timeless design waiting at Rouse Home. Our curated collection brings together iconic pieces from Danish masters—like Børge Mogensen’s foldable BM5568 Deck Chair, Gudmundur Ludvik’s quietly strong Timbur Outdoor Bench, and EOOS’s inviting Embrace Lounge Chair—each crafted to elevate your outdoor space with lasting elegance.