As spring blooms brighten the landscape and temperatures inch up, the great outdoors beckon — and with it, a renewed focus on furnishing al fresco spaces with comfort and style.
What’s more, a still-recovering economy has boosted “staycations” — hanging out at home instead of traveling. Importing a tony resort with spas, pergolas, fireplaces, outdoor bars and kitchens mimics the kind of features that highlight romantic holidays, from the south of France to Tuscany or the Greek islands.
When space and budget allow, outdoor “rooms” are analogous to those indoors. There’s a place to sit and bask in fresh air and greenery. A place to curl up with a book, just lounge or nap. A place to grill. A place to entertain friends — watch TV or movies on weatherproof screens. And a water feature — fall, pool, spa or pond.
In spite of sagging retail sales in most sectors, there’s every indication that consumers will add to their outdoor spaces. Demand in the United States for outdoor furniture and grill products is projected to increase 3.9 percent each year to $7.2 billion in 2013, according to The Freedonia Group Inc., a research firm based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nearly every building and remodeling survey suggests that an outdoor room is one of 10 must- have features. Interest has been bolstered by television shows such as HGTV’s “The Outdoor Room” with Australian landscape designer Jamie Durie, who transforms dreary backyard afterthoughts into dreamy hideaways. Even celebrities have gotten into the act. At the recent Las Vegas furniture market, former Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell rolled out Red Carpet, a line of high-end outdoor furnishings for Patio Heaven.
The evolution of the outdoor room is “revolutionary,” says Kevin Sharkey, executive editorial director of decorating for Martha Stewart Living magazine.
The reason? “Technology, pure and simple,” says Sharkey.
Not only can you now enjoy a swivel rocker or recliner outdoors, an introduction by Domus Ventures boasts a massaging feature.
Besides weather-resistant woods in natural, stained or painted marine finishes, there are convincing wicker and wood looks in resin or metals — even bark, birch twigs and willow.
Mixing materials has become more sophisticated and often is eco-chic. A Pottery Barn table, for example, combines a zinc top with a sustainably harvested acacia wood base.
Look for furniture frames in eggshell, bright white or taupe gray, as a fresh alternative to the espresso that has been popular in recent years. And fully upholstered pieces such as Lee Industries’ Mimosa outdoor chair with gently sloping arms that wears a slipcover with pleats at the corners.
Look for large scale that’s clean-lined or curvy and big or open weaves in synthetic wicker that make the designs fresh and more airy.
Look for smart storage — tables that store leaves, a bench that houses cushions or a tile-topped console table with a scrolled metal base that cradles wine bottles.
For nighttime ambience, consider lamps that also are sculptural. The Wave, a new floor lamp offering from Veneman, resembles a tapering tree trunk. Crafted from a woven shell, its light source glows from within.
There’s fashion underfoot as well. The high-end Liora Manne company, with signature felt weaves in subtle colorations, has an outdoor counterpart available at Frontgate. Its watercolor-effect patterns include geometric mosaics; all are waterproof and fade-, bacteria-, mold- and mildew-resistant.
Leather, velvet, linen, chenille and silk look-alikes are so convincing that they have garnered attention indoors. Wood grains and animal prints are among the current motifs.
And what you don’t see — plush waterproof cushions — have made a huge impact, allowing fuller, thicker cushions that often are ultra-deep.
“Comfort is king,” says Cinde Ingram, editor-in-chief of Casual Living, a monthly trade publication. So not surprisingly, there’s a continuing interest in beds, megascale cuddle chairs and daybeds, often with canopies.
Improved materials, technology and style are inspiring many consumers to “trade up” to fancier grills and more fashion-forward furniture. On many wish lists: a firepit, according to a survey by the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
“There’s something primal about it,” says Sharkey. “Everyone wants to be able to sit around a fire together. It’s applicable to all different styles — from Adirondack to English wrought iron.”
Outdoor trends
Many of this year’s outdoor fashion trends debuted at the fall International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, while others will surface in designer showrooms and at retailers all over the country. Here are some of the newest directions:
White hot. There still are a lot of espresso furniture frames around, reflecting the rich hue’s popularity indoors. But cream and bright white are starting to make the rounds.
Light your fire. Firepits are heating up landscapes in a variety of table designs that feature logs, stones or crushed glass as a base from which the flames rise. Some new designs are bowl-shaped; others rectangular, with long insets.
Rock it. The daddy of all recliners, La-Z-Boy, teamed up with Brown Jordan to introduce a weatherproof model. It has company. with other manufacturers offering chairs that move into several positions, swivel, rock or massage you.
Put a rug on it. Snappy designs expand the solid-hued offerings in rugs for rain or shine. Among the most fetching are a lime rug with a graphic of white daisies bridging its chocolate border from Laurie Bell.
Daydreaming. From cradling and cocooning chairs for at least two, daybeds and full four- poster models are available if you have the space.
Bright forecast. The delicately scaled shapely Sereno barrel-backed wrought iron chair from Kettler () is like eye candy, with its lime hue. The chair, which sells for $265, was awarded best of show at the Casual Market.
Lights on. Glam table lamps, such as Joe Ruggiero’s classic urn for Woodard (), have a modern twist — a cutout.
Screen it. Weatherproof LCD TVs are available in sizes from 23 inches ($1,999) to 55 inches ($8,895). And movie theater sets, with a 12-foot screen and Epson projector with LCD technology, retail for $2,499. Both are from Frontgate.
Another screen, the fashionable folding variety, can be used as a focal point, a decorative tour de force.
Wide weaves. Like giant cable sweaters, some wicker- like weaves are dramatic in scale. Though some are solid, often wrapped around frames with bold curves, other large-scale models are see-through, with circles or patterns that lend an airiness to the ample frames. Meshes and PVC also offer transparency.
Au courant accessories. New cushions or pillows can breathe new life into seating that’s a few years old. One current motif is the philodendron in shades of indigo. Current fabric patterns include ethnic, such as Moroccan, African prints, including animal spots and zebra stripes, geometrics and wood grains, all of which are popular on fashion runways and in home interiors. Palettes span the rainbow with coral, red, terra cotta, ochre, lime and apple, chocolate, plum and blues from turquoise to cobalt, as well as black and white.
Woodalikes. Besides metal designed to look like wood, Currey and Co. () introduced the organic Redgrove chair, whose branchy pattern suggests wood but is crafted in a surprising combination of concrete and steel.
Mixed media. The teaming of metals with wood or faux wicker with stainless steel inspires mixing up the furniture groupings, as well. For an eclectic look, don’t buy everything en suite.
