Tables, chairs, hammocks and couch frames all rely on aluminium, which is a preferred material because of its lightweight durability. That makes outdoor furnishings easy to move around, to change the setting in minutes from poolside lounging by day to an elegant al fresco dinner party just as the sun goes down.

Aluminium also makes the grade in the great outdoors because it resists corrosion and can hold up to the elements, all while remaining attractive enough for clubs and resorts to use too. One example is powder-coated aluminium seating that leads the way in popularity when creating the outdoor living room. The Mallin Casual Furniture line uses aluminium frames in all of its groupings, including the elegant Georgetown Cushion Collection and the more colorful and playful Dakoda Cushion Collection.

The company also offers the aluminium Paso Robles fire pit line, with dining table and seating built around a central fire pit in square, rectangle and octagon designs. Fire pits of all kinds are a popular centerpiece for outdoor gatherings, and the latest is the Zen model from OW Lee, known for its high-end furnishings in wrought aluminium. The new fire pit features an LED light display that works with the flames to add fun to any celebration with more than 1,600 color options that are easily customized.

For warm-weather enthusiasts, it's worth creating an outdoor oasis that lasts all season long, rather than – or in addition to – taking a vacation to a more exotic locale. There are some surprising finds at easily accessible stores like Home Depot, which has a Hampton Bay line of patio and porch décor that's designed to celebrate some of those vacation destinations and bring them home to your own backyard. Maldives, for example, celebrates the tropical island in woven wicker on aluminium frames, while the curvy Torquay collection feels like the waves themselves in a surprisingly affordable seating group.

If the outdoor living room and kitchen weren't enough to celebrate the natural trend, consider the Deerfield Day Bed – a loveseat with a shaded canopy and matching full-length ottoman – or the Medina Garden Gazebo. Aluminium gazebos such as the Sunjoy, or shady pergolas created in aluminium by Eureka, can become the cozy shelter that becomes the outdoor bedroom on a breezy summer night.

The pergolas are perfect for setting up an outdoor bar by the patio or pool, too, offering a cool respite and a focal point for socializing and snacking, or a TV to watch the game, that's separate from the main outdoor kitchen or living area. They also present an opportunity to get creative in defining the space and then accessorizing it with lanterns, whimsical wind chimes or art pieces, or nautical and other themes.

Whatever the preference, though, outdoor décor experts say most people aren't just looking for a few folding lawn chairs anymore, yet they want the same, mobile carefree and easy summer experience. Now that they're making the investment in creating outdoor rooms, durable and lightweight aluminium is serving them well – and turning out to be a lot of fun.