Inflatable furniture floats back into style

Playing video games for countless hours while sitting on an inflatable seat was an amazing experience for teenagers and bachelors.

Then, the blow-up furniture was no longer fashionable. But now plastic, air-filled furniture is back, thoughtfully made and sturdy. It is no longer furniture used to personalise bedrooms and decorate children rooms.

The seats, tables, mattress, bed-cum-sofas are taking a sojourn on the verandas, sitting and swimming pool areas in holiday homes.

Declutter homes

Tough materials have led to more aesthetically designed and sturdy furniture which is perfect for decluttering the house.

With this kind of furniture you don’t need to clutter your home with extra mattresses or seats for visitors. If you travel home or on holiday, you don’t need to sleep on mattresses which have accumulated dust over the months.

Simply inflate a baby cot, mattresses, seats, tables and you have a perfect home within 30 minutes. You can have a full sitting room with a furniture set of couches, daybeds, stools, footrests and coffee tables – all inflatable.

An inflatable mattress goes for about Sh25,000.

“The inflatable furniture comes in different colours, and the seats come complete with wide armrests. Not only are they functional, they offer a level of sophistication hard to get from wood furniture,” says Mary Mburu of Nini Collections which sells the inflatable furniture.

Mrs Mburu says the inflatable furniture is designed for luxury while not looking like a cheap eyesore in your living room. Before buying, she also advises customers on ideal design suitable for different families.

Whether for your living room area, bedroom, patio, you can get a long-lasting yet colourful furniture without the heavy lifting that is traditionally involved when moving wood furniture around.

“Most of our clients are those working in non-governmental organisations and due to the nature of their jobs, they are required to shift residences almost every month. Inflatable furniture works for them as it folded to ease transportation and storage space when not in use,” says Mrs Mburu.

Inflatable furniture is mostly imported and if you order directly from the manufacturer, you can have it custom made with any print of your choice.

You can even get them in 3D prints or LED-kind of stretch material cover that glows in the dark.

Electric pumps

All inflatable furniture comes with an electric pump. In case of blackouts, there are manual pumps that can be used, only that it will take you longer to inflate.

Although they are not easy to change the original look, Mrs Mburu says that one can fix material such as Maasai cloth on the furniture with special glue.

Inflatable furniture are more cosier and come in all colours not seen with wood furniture hence one can experiment with different shades.

The inflatable furniture is made out of thermoplastic polyurethane material.

Due to its buoyancy, the tables can be accentuated with glass or wooden tops for stability.

Perfect gift

Inflatable furniture is also a perfect gift and ideal for people with back pains.

You can buy a lounger that comes with an ottoman, perfect for your movie/TV room or a pool party. Remember not to keep them outdoor for a very long as most can be damaged by the sun.

Apart from inflatable furniture, you can also buy blow-up swimming pools for your children.

“The inflatable bath tabs which measure about 3.05, 1.83 meters and 56 centimetres go for at least Sh17,000,” says Ms Mburu.

The water-proof lounger sold in the market come with built-in cup holders and can be used in any room.

Gerald Muchiri, said he bought the supple lounger for his pregnant wife because of its comfort.

“I got a grey one with an electric pump for Sh12,000 and it was delivered right to where I am in Meru. My wife loved it— it is a relaxing piece of art,” he said.

Inflatables are easy to take care of and are durable. No worries, the seats can hold many kilogrammes.

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