Torakina Outdoor Collection
Australian furniture brand Koala is heading out of the home and into the backyard with its durable, colourful and stylish Torakina outdoor range, taking alfresco entertaining to the next level.
Koala has long been a household name in Australia thanks to its incredibly popular range of mattresses and sofas. From the Treehouse, its global design HQ in Sydney, the team are now proving they’re just as committed to spaces beyond the bedroom and lounge room.
The Torakina range is the result of five years of research, design and testing, and represents the brand’s confident step into the Australian backyard. “We’ve been working on an outdoor furniture range for years, only deciding to hit go on this one because it achieves everything we hoped it would,” says James Whitta, Koala’s chief design officer.
The Australian climate is famously unforgiving – with relentless sun, salty air and sudden storms – and Whitta and his team were determined to create a collection that could withstand it all while still maintaining style and comfort. “Great design starts with curiosity, thrives on collaboration and gets better with every generation of product. That’s how we turn innovative ideas into industry game-changers,” he says.
In taking on outdoor furniture, Koala wanted to move into a category often overlooked, overpriced and poorly made. Torakina changes that, bringing durability, clever detailing and comfort to the outdoors. Each piece – from the ergonomically designed dining tables and chairs, to coffee tables, benches and outdoor lounges – has been engineered to endure Australia’s toughest conditions. Triple-coated steel frames, solid teak tabletops and fade-resistant, weatherproof cushions mean that Torakina pieces can be left outside year-round.
Koala’s design philosophy centres on solving real human needs. Extra-wide armrests double as a perch for a wine glass, table legs are adjustable for uneven ground, and there’s even a discreetly integrated bottle opener. Each piece is also designed for easy assembly and maintenance, making it an ideal choice for both casual and formal outdoor settings. “We’ve thrown everything at this product, designing and manufacturing a range which will take pride of place in your backyard,” says Alexandra Owen, Koala’s head of design.
Sleek, colourful and modern, Torakina is designed to fit in any outdoor space – from apartment balconies and patios to spacious gardens and courtyards. The range is available in multiple sizes and configurations, including dining sets, lounge sets, lounge chairs, dining seating and coffee tables. A range of four Australian-inspired colours – Soft Moss, Silver Moon, Outback Rose and Beach Walk – offer a palette that moves from muted and earthy to fresh and playful.
As with all Koala products, sustainability is built into the brief. Materials are responsibly sourced, and the company’s B-Corp status reflects its wider commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Each purchase helps support wildlife conservation, which encompasses protecting endangered species – including the company’s namesake.
Koala’s move outdoors marks a broader ambition to design for the full Australian way of life. With Torakina, it has created outdoor furniture that is not only tough enough for our climate but clever enough to make every moment outside more enjoyable.
