Fun stuff? Outdoor trends for spring 2024

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Published Date 3/14/2024

While climate change scientists are not thrilled about an early, warm spring this year, most of us are, so let’s stick to the fun part – outdoor trends for 2024.

Now that our Daylight Savings Time hangover is finally abating, let’s talk about what that extra hour of sunlight brings us: one more hour to enhance our outdoor living and plan a new look or backyard spruce-up.

To help pump up our style, Realtor.com’s Jennifer Kelly Geddes digs deep to come up with the latest and greatest trends for decks, patios and yards. The outdoor kitchen will no doubt last until those same scientists tell us it’s no longer safe to go outside. That means entertaining alfresco will never go out of style and outdoor kitchens are here to stay. The trend in 2024 is to go beyond a simple grill setup, however.

“Summer kitchens are getting tricked out with more luxury appliances and specialty items like pizza ovens,” reports designer Pamela O’Brien. “Homeowners are adding more counter space outdoors, too, to help manage the increased level of cooking they’re doing in the backyard.”

Color is coming as well. Geddes says to look to nature for a color scheme (think green, orange, yellow, and blue) on your patio or deck. Designer Ariel Barrionuevo recommends these shades when designing an outdoor look and predicts they’ll continue to find favor with homeowners. She recommends them in weather-resistant fabrics. “Or get the blue and green look in an outdoor rug with a geometric pattern,” he says.

If your yard is diminutive, there is still a lot you can do. Tiny patios, small screened porches, and other cozy outdoor gathering spots are all gaining attention as we head into warmer weather, reports Annie Thornton, a Houzz outdoor expert. Homeowners are installing small decks near an entryway or an unused side yard, while those with more room to work with are adding secondary seating areas that are more secluded and located away from the house.

Wayfair Professional says rounded, wavy chairs and couches are part of the “futuristic forms” trend they put together for 2024. This might translate to curved rattan settees or loungers and a round table to match. At the very least, round-backed patio dining chairs. Houzz predicts the same and identified this design look with its furniture trends for 2024, which include curvy overstuffed couches, round dining tables, and ribbing on pieces like side tables that look like a stack of inner tubes.

The last trend on the Geddes’ list is “planting between patio pavers.” She says while an all-stone or solid brick patio is fine, the trend for the coming year is to tuck greenery among the pavers for a softer, more natural design. While it’s beautiful (breaking up a cold stretch of solid surface) and helps with drainage, however, no one mentions how to mow those tiny strips of grass. Ground cover might be best.

Realtor, TBWS

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