Every home design magazine (shelter) shows wonderful ideas to create an extra “room” from your outdoor yard space providing another place to live and entertain. Just as interior design trends change with time so do the designs of our outdoor living spaces and furnishings. The Wall Street Journal (May 26-27, 2018) polled over one hundred design pros to identify new ideas to use in the fresh air. Here are some of their thoughts.
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Billed as “dorm room like décor”, STRING LIGHTS are overused and too cutesy plus the exposed filament bulbs (you can see the lighting wires in the bulb) create an unflattering glow.
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Brown “BLOCKY FURNITURE” pieces have had their day. No more thick frames, heavy weaves, and dark colors. These oversized pieces become hot in the sun and are not conducive to lounging.
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STRIPES, BRIGHTS AND LARGE PATTERNS are visually “loud” in a setting. They are now tiring and too bold….these patterns have worn out their welcome. The out of doors space should have patterns that work in all seasons and are not the focal point of the space but instead adding an organic feel.
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Planters with COMBINATIONS OF PLANTS can be found at every home improvement store. In England’s famous Great Dixter Garden, experts never mix varieties in one pot. And no more Zinc planters…especially those that are too tall with too small a width for your new plants.
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Be careful with ‘KITSCH’ furniture pieces. Maybe one or two of your favorites as an accent but not an entire area. What is kitsch? Fussy, mid-century, bent wire, wrought iron, Victorian, “Garden” style and retro-inspired pieces. Less is more!!
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UV rated individual outdoor LIGHT FIXTURES are becoming more popular for a room like look. Choose from table lamps, floor lamps or randomly placed low indirect lighting pieces for a beautifully lighted exterior room space.
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A SMALLER SIZE AND SCALE like we have inside our home are now brought to the new “outside” room. Be certain the frame of the item and the fabrics used are suitable for exterior use. Remember accents of pillows and plants can add depth and color.
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Look forward to TWEEDS, SMALL PATTERNS AND WOVENS (not prints) in softer neutral patterns/colors. Make certain the fabric is specified for use in outside spaces and be sure to mix soft neutrals, stripes, and tweeds allowing the organic feel of the landscaping to be the focal point.
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Try a new potted plant look by using ONE SPECIES OF PLANT per container which makes for a more impactful look. And yes, classic terra cotta pots always look great in any planting area…they become better with time.
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NATURAL, ORGANIC, WOVEN, pieces that look like nature and fit in with the area. The pieces are not meant to be an attraction in themselves, but instead, an adjunct to the environment created.
Although the materials need to be able to withstand the outside elements, choose materials and designs creating a finished look of an organic and environmentally cohesive design.
