Patio Goals
Here's what's hot — and not — for your outdoor living space this summer
If you've already ditched rustic farmhouse decor inside your house at the behest of Zillow's design experts, it should be that much easier to kiss it goodbye in your outdoor space. Reclaimed wood is out this summer, or so says Zillow's 2019 Outdoor Living Trends Report.
But what materials, fabrics, and styles should your deck be decked out with as the mercury rises? Here are the five biggest trends:
1. Mixed materials
There's apparently no such thing as "indoor-only" materials, as brass, rope, textured upholstery, and webbing are showing up outdoors, along with chandeliers, rugs, and floor cushions in weather-resistant velvet, leather, and chenille.
2. Maximum minimalism
The cozy concept of hygge isn't just for indoors, as Scandinavian minimalist design is popping up all over outdoor furnishings. Powder-coated aluminum is forming the basis for lounge chairs, loveseats, and bistro tables, especially in neutrals such as black, white, and gray.
3. Feel the heat
Outdoor kitchens aren't going away anytime soon. The popular feature is not just a good investment for future resale, it's also something you can enjoy right now. Comfortable and functional is a key phrase this summer, and it doesn't get more useful than a place to cook around the pool or while lounging in the sun.
4. Color splash
Remember those neutral furniture pieces from above? Liven them up with bold accents, especially in the hot shades of bright orange, red, yellow, and pink, or go dramatic with the newly trending emerald green or Pantone's color of the year, Living Coral.
Eco-conscious landscaping, outdoor furnishings, and fixtures are more popular than ever, with living walls making a design statement (and reducing your carbon footprint) and solar-powered LED accent lights providing upgraded illumination (without complex wiring or tricky installation). Zillow also points out that when it comes time to sell, listings that mention outdoor lighting sell for 19 percent more than expected.
"The lines have been blurred between what's indoor-only and what you can use outside, which means it's never been easier to create an outdoor space that's cohesive with your indoor design," says Kerrie Kelly, Zillow's design expert and founder of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab.
Besides rustic farmhouse decor, what else is out this year? Being too matchy-matchy. Zillow says don't rely on matching patio sets, but instead put together an eclectic outdoor space with a variety of textures and materials.
