The 5 Outdoor Decor Trends You’ll See at Every Barbecue This Summer

Just in time for MDW.

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Let’s get a round of applause for making it to patio season. We have survived throw blanket weather and swapped our heavier textiles for breezy linens, and we’re officially ready to welcome summer with open arms. If your outdoor space leaves something to be desired, you might want to celebrate the advent of the season with some brand-spanking-new outdoor decor items, though narrowing down a style is often easier said than done: Enter Zillow’s latest study. The 2019 Outdoor Living Trends Report is a deep dive into all things summer style and has more than a few great ideas for inspiration.

Looking at it broadly, 2019 is all about creating a backyard space whose cozy vibes and splashy look rivals that of your interiors. “The lines have been blurred between what’s indoor-only and what you can use outside, which means it’s never been easier to create an outdoor space that’s cohesive with your interior design,” explains Kerrie Kelly, Zillow’s resident design expert.

On the docket for this summer? Mixed materials, Scandinavian minimalism, fire features, pops of color, and eco-friendly fixtures. With a trend report whose contents are this varied, there’s something for every style, though we definitely have our favorites. Ahead, the three summer design trends we’re most excited about.

Mixed Materials

Forget what you know about outdoor materials; 2019 is all about shaking it up. Blend materials and fabrics for a layered look—for example, sleek brass fixtures set against soft woven textiles, or linen upholstery against an industrial iron frame. Blu Dot’s pink lounge chair expertly marries aluminum and plush (yet still weather-resistant) upholstery.

Fire Features

An outdoor kitchen is the ultimate way to bring the indoors out. For those whose home didn’t come with a fully equipped patio fireplace, the solution lies in a small, stylish firepit. This rustic iron one will lend a sculptural finish to even the tiniest of backyards.

Bursts of Color

Decorate with the colors of the sunset—the summer is all about warmth, after all. Consider this the perfect opportunity to test out Pantone’s color of the year with a coral-hued striped pillow.

See more ideas for decorating your outdoor space: 11 Outdoor Decor Finds You Should Order on Amazon Before Your Next Barbecue Outdoor Decor So Cool, You’ll Want to Keep It Inside These 20 Outdoor Chairs Are So Good, You’ll Want to Bring Them Inside

Elly Leavitt

Writer and Editor

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latest cultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.

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