For many, it’s been a long cool winter (some areas even had their most snow in 20 years!) but with spring and summer just around the corner we can look forward to warmer weather and longer days spent outdoors. Now’s the perfect moment to refresh your backyard, transforming it from its winter state into a space made for relaxation, entertaining, and creative play.
As with any season, spring and summer bring new outdoor living trends that blend style, sustainability and creativity, bringing new life to any home.
Whether you have dreams of spending summer in resort-style comfort around the pool, or creating a space where your kids want to be, this season’s trends are all about making the most of your outdoor space. Here are 6 of the most popular trends we think will be big this year.
Looking for Inspiration? At The Best Backyard, we have a large range of outdoor furniture, gazebos, pergolas, pools and kids outdoor play equipment to suit all backyard sizes and all family styles.
Resort Aesthetics with Natural Rattan & Wicker Furniture
If you’re a fan of the tropical resort aesthetic, natural rattan and wicker will bring a laid-back luxurious feel to your backyard. Having their time in the spotlight, furniture made from rattan and wicker is light, breathable, and neutral, blending seamlessly with green backyards and landscaped gardens.
We recommend looking at the textural lounge sets, daybeds, sun loungers and even the dining settings in rattan or wicker to create that cosy, stylish resort vibe. For the perfect summer afternoon spent outdoors, pair this furniture with furnishings like linen cushions, draped throw rugs and potted plants to enhance that green, tropical aesthetic.
Brand Spotlight: Theo & Joe have some beautiful rattan outdoor furniture at affordable prices.
Expanded Living Space with Pergolas
Growing up there’s a good chance your outdoor covered area was a simple patio umbrella which meant you could only utilise the outdoor space when it wasn’t raining. But pergolas give you year round functional outdoor living space.
We recommend pergolas with a louvre-roof design as they give the flexibility to allow the sun in or block it out, as well as providing protection from the rain.
Gazebos are another popular option this year and much cheaper than building a new room. Permanent wooden gazebos off shade & protection and are great for outdoor dining & entertaining. Pop-up gazebos are fantastic additions for picnics, birthday parties and adding a little extra shade over a play area or pool on a hot summer day. The benefit of a pop-up gazebo is that they can be packed down and stored away when you don’t need them.
Dine Outdoors - Connect Better
One of the best ways to enjoy the warmer spring and summer weather is to bring meal times outdoors. The latest outdoor dining settings make it easier and more stylish to bring family meals outdoors and entertain friends well into the balmy nights.
Over the last few years, outdoor dining areas have become a centrepiece of backyard designs, often chosen with long relaxed meals and entertaining in mind. With everything from compact four-seat settings for small courtyards through to expansive 11 piece settings for large families or regular entertaining, there’s an option for all families.
This year’s trending looks include:
-
Finishes such as timber, powder-coated steel, weather proof fibreglass and glass.
-
Cushioned chairs with removable weather-resistant fabric cushions for bringing indoor comfort outdoors.
-
Seating options including modular couches, bar tables and traditional table settings.
Create a great evening outdoors with outdoor-friendly dinnerware, place settings and a statement centrepiece, as well as ambient lighting (we love lanterns).
Brand Spotlight: Siesta Exclusives is a european brand who produce commercial-grade quality outdoor furniture which looks great in both high-end resorts and residential backyards. We love their dining sets, sunloungers & coffee tables.
Get Storage Right
A well-designed outdoor space isn’t just about furniture and plants – it’s also about keeping things tidy and functional. Outdoor storage boxes, benches with hidden compartments, and weatherproof cupboards are a simple way to remove clutter and keep your backyard looking inviting.
From storing cushions and outdoor toys to neatly packing away garden tools and pool accessories, the right storage helps protect your belongings from the elements and makes it easier to relax without tripping over stray items. Choose designs that blend with your décor so storage becomes a seamless part of your outdoor living area.
Stylish Sustainable Choices
Many homeowners are looking at ways they can renovate their outdoor spaces without adding to landfill. If this is you, investing in sustainable outdoor furniture and living options is a great choice. We are seeing a trend towards high-quality and durable products, made from eco-friendly materials such as FSC-certified timber and recycled fabric. These pieces are not only better for the planet, but they tend to be built to last.
One of the big benefits of sustainable outdoor furniture is that they carry a classic aesthetic which means you can change the furnishing style each year to stay up to date with trends, and you won’t need to worry about it not suiting your home.
We recommend looking for products that are made using responsible manufacturing and materials - a win for your home and the environment.
Find out more about the wood used in the products we sell.
Indoor Comforts Outdoors
One of the main reasons people choose not to dine outdoors or spend a lot of time outdoors is that it is uncomfortable (or not as cosy as indoors).
Take advantage of soft layering, using outdoor rugs to define zones and add colour and texture, while cushions and throw blankets soften the outdoor area. Depending on your style and your chosen aesthetic, you may like to try some bold patterns or soft neutrals to create a space that encourages people to linger in the warm evening air.
Sensory Play Zones for the Kids
Have you been thinking about bringing the playground to your backyard? At home play equipment has been evolving quite quickly over the last several years with more families choosing imaginative play options like mud kitchens, sand and water tables and cubby houses. Don’t get us wrong, swings and slides absolutely have their place but there is so much more to choose from these days, allowing families with backyards of all sizes to add a great play space.
Child-focussed garden patches & raised beds are also on the rise. These don’t need to be large spaces - in fact, even if you live in an apartment with no backyard, you can easily help your child plant a few pots of herbs or flowers and watch them grow. For those with larger spaces, growing fruits and vegetables is a great way to get your child interested in trying a wider variety of foods, as well as learning how food is grown.
Family Friendly Flexibility
Backyards have turned into more than just a space for kids to play - it’s now a place to play, to entertain, to spend time in nature. It’s a place to live.
The key to achieving family friendly flexibility lays in having the right outdoor living furniture and furnishings, as well as the right play equipment to create a backyard that works for your lifestyle
Leave a comment