With warmer days on the horizon, you may be getting ready to spruce up your outdoor space for the season, whether you’re lucky enough to have access to a patio, porch, deck, or full yard. As with interiors, outdoor design trends are always changing, and designers have pretty strong opinions when it comes to affordable outdoor furniture, plants, and even color schemes.
Here, eight pros weigh in on the outdoor trends you’re probably better off skipping this year if you want your space to look current. As always, if you have or gravitate towards something on this list and it works for you, stick with it. You know your home – and your outdoor space – space best!
Designer Alicia Hassen, founder of Brooklinteriors, believes that an outdoor rug can “end up being more work than it’s worth,” especially if it’s not protected from the sun and sky. “Uncovered patios and decks leave carpets exposed to moisture and will erode materials overtime,” she says. Still want some pattern under your feet? As an alternative, try a different approach to patio flooring. “You can even use a bold tile design to create a tile rug,” suggests Hassen. Or just accept the fact that your carpet probably won’t last more than one season.
It’s time to stop playing it safe with neutrals, says designer Suzan Wemlinger, founder of Suzan J Designs. “Neutrals can be very calming, which of course isn’t a bad thing at all—but neutrals can also read as boring or afraid of commitment,” she notes. Plus, it’s easier than you think to incorporate some vibrant hues into your yard.
“Get those outdoor seating cushions in bold, fun colors, or at the very least, add some colorful, patterned cushions to the seating areas,” suggests Wemlinger. Plus, she notes, there are a lot of great fade-resistant fabrics on the market these days, so you won’t have to worry about these pieces losing their vibrancy.
However, it does also bold may not even be the best decision, says designer Traci Connell. “I guess the desire is to feel like you’re at a ‘beach resort’ every day. But you didn’t,” says Connell. For an outdoor space that feels more “like” you, she suggests drawing from the colors used in your home as a starting point and building a palette from there. This will create cohesion between your indoor and outdoor spaces, so that one feels like an extension of the other.
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Freestanding hanging chairs
Freestanding hanging chairs never really spoke to designer Adnan Anwar, and they still don’t. It’s not all about aesthetics for him either. “They look so clunky and aren’t that comfortable in most cases, and the metal stands are a total eyesore,” he says. For a similar seating experience without the visual bulk, consider a hammock instead.
Fast weatherproof furniture
Say goodbye to weatherproof furniture “that has a plastic look,” says Wemlinger. “It looks cheap and more like an afterthought than an intentional design of the space.” Instead, consider your interiors when dealing with the outdoors. “Don’t forget about slipcovers, poufs and cushions that look like they can be used inside or outside the home,” adds the designer. “Using this type of furniture helps to seamlessly merge indoor spaces with the outdoors.”
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Matching outdoor furniture sets
Designer Zandy Gammons, founder of Miretta Interiors, agrees that outdoor spaces should reflect your interior style. “With that in mind, stay away from matching furniture sets,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to mix different styles and textures just like you would in an interior.” Anwar agrees. “Your outdoor space will look more dynamic and feel more like a room if you change materials and styles,” he adds.
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Citronella candles and Tiki torches
For a more current look, Wemlinger suggests skipping these picks. “They just don’t go with today’s decor and tend to look dated,” she says. Instead, she recommends an outdoor diffuser for ambiance. “It will fit much better with the indoor performance atmosphere,” she adds. And if you can’t give up bug-repelling candles, the good news is that you can find citronella pillars, which look more modern than the tin pan or jar varieties you’re probably used to seeing.
This may come as a surprise to some, but designer Megan Molten advises her clients to skip live outdoor plants if they won’t be able to consistently care for them. “While a lush, jungle-like exterior can make for a beautiful Instagram-worthy moment, it’s not so pretty when you come back a month later to all the dead, wilted and crunchy leaves all over the place,” she says. “Instead, we’re opting for quality artificial greenery in outdoor spaces to allow for that low-maintenance, finished design feel.”