Elevate your outdoor space: interiors inspire the season's hottest trends
Forget the predictable patio sets of yesteryear. This summer, outdoor spaces are undergoing a serious upgrade, borrowing the sophisticated layering and considered design of our most beloved interiors. The result? Outdoor environments that feel less like extensions of the yard and more like curated, comfortable living rooms.
Drawing inspiration from design icons
The shift away from purely “weather-proofed” furniture is a welcome change. Instead, designers are looking to iconic interiors for inspiration. Consider the pale green conservatory at Villa Necchi in Milan, a 1935 masterpiece by Piero Portaluppi. Its effortless elegance, with skirted chairs and botanical tones, is directly influencing the season’s most romantic outdoor trends. But the influence doesn’t stop there. Donald Judd’s famously minimalist New York kitchen, with its warm wood and utilitarian forms, is also shaping a more restrained and sophisticated approach to outdoor living. And then there’s Jacques Grange’s Paris salon, a haven of layered seating and collected treasures, demonstrating how to create an outdoor space perfect for lingering into the evening.
Greenhouse glamour: a verdant retreat
The Villa Necchi conservatory serves as the blueprint for this trend. Think cool tones, botanical patterns, and soft stripes replacing the starkness of previous minimalist designs. The key is to create an atmosphere of elegant lounging, utilizing curved seating and natural materials that seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape. House of Leon’s Provence outdoor cocktail table and a B&B Italia Erica sofa exemplify this aesthetic, while touches like Dolce & Gabbana dinner plates and a Bunny Williams Home Kent outdoor pedestal add a layer of refined luxury. Don’t overlook the importance of lighting; a Hinkley Paloma chandelier can transform the space into a magical evening retreat.
Elevated utility: the judd effect
Judd’s Manhattan kitchen, a study in precision and practicality, is inspiring a new wave of restrained outdoor design. Clean lines, functional objects, and natural woods are paramount, prioritizing thoughtful simplicity over excessive ornamentation. The juxtaposition of MoMA Design Store’s Relax deck chair with a Henry Holland Studio pitcher and a Soho Home Masen serving set perfectly captures this aesthetic. For a touch of warmth, consider a Neighbor Totem chiminea or a stylish Rita Konig for The Lacquer Company ice bucket. The beauty lies in the contrast – the clean lines of a Tribu Tairu side table paired with the understated elegance of a Frama Petit Rond chair.
Salon society: layered and collected
Jacques Grange’s Paris salon is the ultimate inspiration for creating an outdoor space that feels deeply personal and layered. This trend embraces varied silhouettes, mixed materials, and an eclectic sense of composition. Forget matching sets; instead, curate a collection of sculptural seating, graphic textiles, and decorative objects that tell a story. A Serax Pawn side table, paired with Dedar Cubitt tweed and a luxurious Brown Jordan Stretch Daybed, sets the stage for relaxed elegance. The addition of a Mathias de Ferm for RH Striata chair and the ambient glow of a Vibia x Molteni&C. Out lamp complete the look. Don’t be afraid to incorporate unique pieces like a McKinnon and Harris Ophidian side table or a vibrant Colours of Arley Cocktail Cushion.
Ultimately, this season’s outdoor trends are about creating spaces that feel as inviting and comfortable as our homes. It’s a move away from purely functional outdoor furniture and towards a more considered, design-driven approach – one that elevates the entire outdoor living experience.