Designing outdoors has officially moved beyond the era of “good enough”.
Today’s terraces, rooftops, hospitality patios and residential gardens are treated with the same level of intention as interior spaces. Clients expect comfort, durability and visual coherence – without compromise. And that’s exactly where an outdoor sample box becomes not just useful, but essential.
Below, we break down why specifying outdoors requires a different mindset, how the right tools elevate your decision-making and what the Domkapa Outdoor Sample Box brings to the table for interior design professionals working in exterior environments.
From afterthought to essential
Outdoor design used to be the afterthought of a project. A couple of chairs, a table, maybe a neutral fabric that “should be fine outside”.
That approach doesn’t hold up anymore.
Outdoor spaces are now extensions of interior concepts – especially in hospitality, luxury residential and contract projects. They’re expected to perform year-round, withstand the elements and still feel curated, comfortable, and aligned with the overall design language.
For interior professionals, this shift introduces a real challenge: how do you specify outdoor materials with the same confidence you have indoors?
Photos and digital catalogues only go so far. Texture, flexibility, finish quality and material behaviour under real conditions are impossible to judge on a screen. That’s why physical sampling remains one of the most powerful specification tools – especially outdoors, where performance is non-negotiable.
The Domkapa Outdoor Sample Box was created precisely for this moment: to support interior professionals designing outdoor spaces with clarity, confidence and creative freedom.
Making confident outdoor design decisions
Outdoor materials are not “indoor materials with protection”
One of the most common pitfalls in outdoor projects is assuming that treated indoor material will perform well outdoors. In reality, exterior environments introduce variables that dramatically affect performance.
UV exposure can fade colours and weaken fibres. Humidity and rain test resistance and structure. Temperature fluctuations impact metals, ceramics and textiles. Daily use in hospitality or shared spaces accelerates wear.
An outdoor sample box allows designers to evaluate materials as materials, not just as finishes. Weight, texture, rigidity, weave density and coating quality become immediately apparent when handled in person.
Tactile decision-making builds client trust
Clients – especially in high-end residential and hospitality projects – want reassurance. They want to see and touch what they’re investing in.
Bringing a curated outdoor sample box to a presentation transforms the conversation. You move from abstract promises to concrete choices. You demonstrate technical knowledge and preparation. You reduce back-and-forth caused by uncertainty or late-stage changes.
For interior professionals, this tactile validation often shortens approval timelines and minimises costly revisions later in the project.
Consistency across materials is easier when you sample holistically
Outdoor spaces are rarely defined by a single material. They’re composed of layered elements: seating, tables, structural details, textiles and finishes – all exposed to the same environment.
When materials are sourced separately, inconsistencies creep in. Metals feel mismatched in tone or sheen. Fabrics clash subtly under natural light. Ceramics overpower or underperform next to softer textures.
A well-curated outdoor sample box presents materials as a cohesive ecosystem, making it easier to build balanced palettes that feel intentional rather than assembled.
Performance doesn’t have to compromise aesthetics
There’s still a misconception that outdoor-grade materials are inherently rigid, technical or visually limiting. That gap has closed.
Advancements in outdoor fabrics, ceramics, ropes and metal finishes mean designers no longer have to choose between durability and design expression. The challenge now is understanding which materials achieve that balance, and that’s hard to assess without a physical reference.
Sampling removes guesswork and supports more ambitious, design-forward outdoor concepts.
What’s inside the Domkapa Outdoor Sample Box
The Domkapa Outdoor Sample Box was developed specifically for interior professionals who design exterior spaces with the same rigour as interiors. Each material category was selected to support performance and aesthetics.
Ropes
Outdoor-grade ropes were chosen for long-term durability, flexibility and comfort in seating applications, while adding visual texture and depth to exterior designs.
Ceramics
Ceramic finishes developed for outdoor use, combining resistance to weather and temperature changes with refined surfaces suitable for residential and contract projects.
Fabrics
Performance fabrics engineered to withstand UV exposure and moisture, maintain colour consistency over time and deliver comfort without compromising resilience.
Metals
Carefully selected metal finishes that balance structural strength, weather resistance and an elegant, contemporary appearance.
Dare yourself to explore the new sample boxes from Domkapa.
You will find all our high-quality materials and finishes and our product catalogue with all the information you need to conceive remarkable projects.
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*these sample boxes are exclusive for professionals
Outdoor projects leave little room for uncertainty. Materials must perform under real conditions, align with the design vision and meet client expectations from day one.
The Domkapa Outdoor Sample Box was created to support interior professionals at every stage of that process. By bringing together ropes, ceramics, fabrics and metal finishes selected specifically for outdoor use, it allows you to evaluate performance, texture and finish quality before making final decisions – reducing risk and streamlining specification.
More than a presentation tool, it’s a practical resource designed to help you work faster, specify with confidence and deliver outdoor spaces that feel as considered as the interiors you design.
If outdoor projects are part of your practice, the right materials – and the right tools – make all the difference. The Domkapa Outdoor Sample Box is your starting point for smarter, more confident outdoor design.
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