Inspire me

4 big trends for outdoor living

Transform your outside space into the best ‘room’ of the house.

Outdoor spaces count. So, whether you have a sprawling garden, a teeny balcony or a charming courtyard, what’s going on outside your four walls has never been so important. Fresh air and alfresco living instantly lift spirits, fact. Now the weather is turning warmer, it’s time to revamp, refresh and reinvigorate your outdoor patch with these four hot garden trends.

Trend #1 Elevated outdoor space

It’s not good enough these days to plonk down a few plastic chairs, an old table and call your garden a ‘room’. Today’s exterior spaces are an extension of what’s going on inside the home, so try echoing colours, textiles and styles throughout. Pale woods and earthy hues can be complemented by rattan garden furniture and natural materials outside. And don’t forget textiles to elevate the space: cushions and rugs made from tough, showerproof fabric are a must. If you like a modern look, blur the indoor/outdoor lines with slick, metal furniture and concrete planters – and invest in beautiful, long-lasting pieces that will stand the test of time.

TAKEAWAY TIP: Don’t forget lighting. Strings of fairy lights won’t fail to pretty up any space, but the new generation of outdoor table lights and tall floor lamps will inject an indoor-out magical mood.

Image credit: Cox & Cox

Trend #2 Holiday at home

Sunnies at the ready. Dopamine décor is sweeping through the garden so time to go big on bold colour for a feel-good look. Think bold Mediterranean blue and sunny yellow with a hint of this season’s hot pink for a vacay stay at home. Try metal café style furniture in turquoise or coral and waterproof cushions in a mix of jungle prints, tropical florals and deckchair stripes. Supercharge the look with a comfy hammock, oversized slouch beanbags and vibrant throws. Add in a firepit and bright melamine crockery and pretend your poolside.

TAKEAWAY TIP: Take the party vibe up a notch with your very own bar-in-the-garden. Choose a fun Tiki-style look or a modern metal version in a pillar box bright.

Image credit: Wayfair

Trend #3 The natural look

Going au naturel doesn’t mean baring all in the garden. In fact, one of 2022’s biggest interior trends is biophilic design (think leafy, earthy prints) and taking the look through to the garden is a doddle. You’ve got the greenery, tick, so offset with natural furniture in rattan, reclaimed iron and pale Scandi-style woods. Accessorise with terracotta planters, wicker lanterns and soft cotton throws should the temperature plunge.

TAKEAWAY TIP: A classic hanging egg chair made from rattan is spot on for the natural vibe. Seek out seats for two so you can recline in the sun with a friend.

Image credit: B&Q

GoodHome Rattan effect Hanging Egg Chair by B&Q

Trend #4 Go wild

Going wild is an important lifestyle switch rather than a seasonal trend. We all need to attract more birds, butterflies and bees to our outdoor spaces so use a diverse mix of plants and shrubs – silver birch, wild cherry and dog rose are good choices. Research shows that being close to nature is good for everyone’s physical and mental health so we’re creating space for nature to thrive on our developments. We’re installing bird boxes, bug hotels and hedgehog highways (read here for our partnership with two wildlife organisations) and ensuring planted areas include food for bees and butterflies.

TAKEAWAY TIP: Leave lawns go wild or keep a small uncut patch; overly-manicured grass leaves little room for wildlife to thrive. Avoid chemicals too and see daisies, clover and buttercups spring up.

Image credit: Folksy