8 New and Enduring Outdoor Furnishing Trends for 2023
Rounded shapes, textured rugs and blue finishes were among the styles spotted at the spring 2023 High Point Market
The past few years have seen furniture companies adding or expanding outdoor furnishing lines and generally upping their outdoor games (literally and figuratively). The rewards were evident at the spring edition of the biannual High Point Market in North Carolina last month, where companies showed off an abundance of product introductions and returning designs updated for 2023.
In addition to offering outdoor pieces virtually indistinguishable from their indoor counterparts and greener alternatives to commonly used outdoor materials, companies brought the latest indoor trends outside, including rounded corners, woven materials and blue finishes. Below, check out some of the looks that caught our eye.
In addition to offering outdoor pieces virtually indistinguishable from their indoor counterparts and greener alternatives to commonly used outdoor materials, companies brought the latest indoor trends outside, including rounded corners, woven materials and blue finishes. Below, check out some of the looks that caught our eye.
2. Vacay Style
Speaking of resorts, designs that turn poolsides and back decks into international getaways were hot this spring. Think fringed parasols, cabana stripes, tropical prints, bright pops of fruity color and anything that might’ve been on the set of The White Lotus.
Though released a few seasons ago, Janus et Cie’s Serengeti by Philippe Starck collection, with its canopied sofa and exotic air, exemplifies this trend.
Speaking of resorts, designs that turn poolsides and back decks into international getaways were hot this spring. Think fringed parasols, cabana stripes, tropical prints, bright pops of fruity color and anything that might’ve been on the set of The White Lotus.
Though released a few seasons ago, Janus et Cie’s Serengeti by Philippe Starck collection, with its canopied sofa and exotic air, exemplifies this trend.
3. Blue Finishes
As was the case with the indoor furnishings and lighting we saw at High Point this spring, outdoor furnishings were awash in blue. While the color is perennially popular, it was the clear “it” color this spring, showing up in outdoor furniture finishes, textiles, light fixtures and accents.
Case in point: Brown Jordan’s latest collection, Oliver by L.A.-based designer Ann Marie Vering, is available in 24 frame finishes, two basketweave rope colors and more than 120 fabric options. And with all of those to choose from, they opted to showcase blue fabric and blue frames at the market and in their press materials, as pictured here.
10 Fresh Furniture and Decor Trends for 2023
As was the case with the indoor furnishings and lighting we saw at High Point this spring, outdoor furnishings were awash in blue. While the color is perennially popular, it was the clear “it” color this spring, showing up in outdoor furniture finishes, textiles, light fixtures and accents.
Case in point: Brown Jordan’s latest collection, Oliver by L.A.-based designer Ann Marie Vering, is available in 24 frame finishes, two basketweave rope colors and more than 120 fabric options. And with all of those to choose from, they opted to showcase blue fabric and blue frames at the market and in their press materials, as pictured here.
10 Fresh Furniture and Decor Trends for 2023
4. Responsible Production
Petroleum-based products and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are common in outdoor furnishings due to their weather and stain resistance, but their production and disposal have serious environmental and social-justice-related drawbacks. To combat this, manufacturers have been hard at work looking for less problematic alternatives. As has been the case for the last several seasons, many manufacturers touted PFAS-free performance fabrics at this market, for example, as well as recyclable and recycled materials and socially responsible practices.
For example, Justina Blakeney introduced her first indoor-outdoor rug collection for Loloi made with recycled materials. The Ari collection is jacquard woven of recycled polyester in India, and it’s GoodWeave-certified as well, meaning that no child, forced or bonded labor was used in its making and that its production supports weavers’ communities.
Look for a local landscape designer on Houzz
Petroleum-based products and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are common in outdoor furnishings due to their weather and stain resistance, but their production and disposal have serious environmental and social-justice-related drawbacks. To combat this, manufacturers have been hard at work looking for less problematic alternatives. As has been the case for the last several seasons, many manufacturers touted PFAS-free performance fabrics at this market, for example, as well as recyclable and recycled materials and socially responsible practices.
For example, Justina Blakeney introduced her first indoor-outdoor rug collection for Loloi made with recycled materials. The Ari collection is jacquard woven of recycled polyester in India, and it’s GoodWeave-certified as well, meaning that no child, forced or bonded labor was used in its making and that its production supports weavers’ communities.
Look for a local landscape designer on Houzz
5. Top Teak
On a related note, teak — a tropical hardwood that’s susceptible to overharvesting — was very popular this year, but many manufacturers emphasized that their teak was plantation-grown, FSC-certified or both.
This new Manzo outdoor chair from Eichholtz, for example, is made with teak harvested from sustainably managed forests in Indonesia.
The Best Materials for Your Patio Furniture
On a related note, teak — a tropical hardwood that’s susceptible to overharvesting — was very popular this year, but many manufacturers emphasized that their teak was plantation-grown, FSC-certified or both.
This new Manzo outdoor chair from Eichholtz, for example, is made with teak harvested from sustainably managed forests in Indonesia.
The Best Materials for Your Patio Furniture
6. Chic Heating and Lighting
The more we invest in our outdoor spaces, the more incentive we have to extend their useful seasons. Heating and lighting are essential in that effort, and to that end, manufacturers seem to be broadening their options in both categories.
Heat-wise, we saw everything from tiny ethanol-burning tabletop fire pits to sleek, contemporary gas-burning tables and huge wood-burning designs with covers that turned them into cocktail tables.
Lighting-wise, the trend is toward layered outdoor lighting (especially using dark-sky-friendly outdoor fixtures that restrict upward-directed light and have low color temperature). That includes path lighting, sconces, chandeliers and portable, rechargeable lanterns.
Our hands-down favorite designs that bridged the two categories came from Belgium-based Heatsail. Their Glow model comes in chic, minimalist three- or five-pendant designs that provide both light and far-infrared heat, while the Beem, pictured here, offers heat, light and a misting option. While currently the exception rather than the rule, such streamlined, stylish looks seem poised to replace clunky heaters of yore.
The more we invest in our outdoor spaces, the more incentive we have to extend their useful seasons. Heating and lighting are essential in that effort, and to that end, manufacturers seem to be broadening their options in both categories.
Heat-wise, we saw everything from tiny ethanol-burning tabletop fire pits to sleek, contemporary gas-burning tables and huge wood-burning designs with covers that turned them into cocktail tables.
Lighting-wise, the trend is toward layered outdoor lighting (especially using dark-sky-friendly outdoor fixtures that restrict upward-directed light and have low color temperature). That includes path lighting, sconces, chandeliers and portable, rechargeable lanterns.
Our hands-down favorite designs that bridged the two categories came from Belgium-based Heatsail. Their Glow model comes in chic, minimalist three- or five-pendant designs that provide both light and far-infrared heat, while the Beem, pictured here, offers heat, light and a misting option. While currently the exception rather than the rule, such streamlined, stylish looks seem poised to replace clunky heaters of yore.
7. Indoor-Worthy Outdoor Rugs
Once upon a time, outdoor cushions and rugs felt and looked like plastic. But material advances have resulted in performance rugs and fabrics that look every bit as good, and feel every bit as soft, as their indoor counterparts.
This season, outdoor rugs mirrored the prevailing trends in indoor rugs, including exaggerated textures and high-low piles, as exemplified by this ivory-colored Stark SPA performance acrylic Koa rug, from Ashley Stark Home.
7 Outdoor Furniture Trends to Watch in 2022
Once upon a time, outdoor cushions and rugs felt and looked like plastic. But material advances have resulted in performance rugs and fabrics that look every bit as good, and feel every bit as soft, as their indoor counterparts.
This season, outdoor rugs mirrored the prevailing trends in indoor rugs, including exaggerated textures and high-low piles, as exemplified by this ivory-colored Stark SPA performance acrylic Koa rug, from Ashley Stark Home.
7 Outdoor Furniture Trends to Watch in 2022
8. Wonderful Weaves
Both indoors and out, an earthy, natural look is still going strong, and outdoor collections were full of convincing faux rattan, cane and other natural-looking woven fibers. This season we saw even more variety and some fresh looks, including open weaves and modern forms, like this faux hyacinth Four Hands Branon outdoor dining chair.
How to buy: Some of these designs from market exhibitors are, or soon will be, available to purchase online, in stores or both. Can’t find the exact product? Hire an interior designer or a landscape designer to help with sourcing and pulling it all together. Of course, you can always shop for the season’s outdoor furniture trends, and lots more, on Houzz.
Tell us: How will you refresh your outdoor space this summer? Share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more industry show and fair recaps
See photos of patio designs
Find design and remodeling professionals
Shop for home products
Both indoors and out, an earthy, natural look is still going strong, and outdoor collections were full of convincing faux rattan, cane and other natural-looking woven fibers. This season we saw even more variety and some fresh looks, including open weaves and modern forms, like this faux hyacinth Four Hands Branon outdoor dining chair.
How to buy: Some of these designs from market exhibitors are, or soon will be, available to purchase online, in stores or both. Can’t find the exact product? Hire an interior designer or a landscape designer to help with sourcing and pulling it all together. Of course, you can always shop for the season’s outdoor furniture trends, and lots more, on Houzz.
Tell us: How will you refresh your outdoor space this summer? Share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more industry show and fair recaps
See photos of patio designs
Find design and remodeling professionals
Shop for home products
This vignette of Made Goods outdoor furnishings illustrates several styles that were popular on High Point Market showroom floors this season, including blue finishes and woven designs, which we’ll talk about shortly. But here we’d like to call attention to the curviness of the various pieces, including the new Garrison sofa and chair and the Cecil coffee table. While squared-off shapes were available, the dominant silhouette (returning from last spring) was rounded and soft.
A subtle variation in this season’s curvy selections was the variety of available proportions, from compact balcony-sized collections to oversize, lounge-y designs befitting a luxury resort.
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