19 Outdoor Living Trends to Try in 2021

“Outdoor activities have increased this past year. So has the need for a cozy, private, and shaded space outdoors. This means comfy couches, ambient lighting and multi-functional furniture – all made to withstand weather.” Get the look: “To secure the indoors feel, arrange the furniture under a patio covering. You can add some outdoor drapery, a green wall, water feature, or outdoor tiled accent wall to create your own cozy and intimate outdoor space.”

“Sustainable gardening goes hand-in-hand with container gardening, especially hydroponics container gardening which uses less water and soil and relies on a mineral solution for plant nutrients. Make container gardening chic with patterned, colorful ceramic planters.” Get the look: “In patches of ground gardens, opt for wildflowers and plants native to your locale to ensure your plants thrive using as little resources as possible. And since zen spaces in general are trends for indoors and outdoors this year, you might also try bubbling garden fountains, which can attract helpful pollinators and act as a natural humidifier.”

“Since the pandemic, people are looking for more creative ways to stay active at home. People have picked up sports and hobbies that involve going outside and getting fresh air.” Get the look: “Backyard basketball courts don't always need to be for huge estates. They can be half courts that can also double for other purposes like entertaining, tennis, or outdoor workouts. They can blend in beautifully with landscaping around the perimeter and lounge seating with ambient lighting.”

“Cottagecore is a growing aesthetic tied to nature, and the classic gnome is part of this. I think this is related to the pandemic, as homeowners have been wanting an escape from reality and the gnome provides a sense of fantasy.” Get the look: “Include the entire family into the placement of the gnomes; tell the kids that they are there for good luck.  Unexpected placement is where gnomes come to life, because real gnomes are shy, preferring to hide in the nooks and crannies of outdoor spaces!”

“Rattan for the outdoors is super versatile. Rattan is coastal, but that doesn’t mean it can’t create more than one look: for more casual, opt for rattan stools on a fun outdoor rug, and for more elegance, pair a set of rattan chairs with a dark wood dining table." Get the look: "The best part is that you can bring a rattan piece indoors and out, depending on your décor preferences as the seasons change.”

“In 2021, more people are using the front porch as an extension of outdoor living spaces. It is not only about maximizing space for everyday living – it is also to welcome our neighbors and visitors. In 2020, it was used for drive-by parties and socially-distanced gatherings; because of the pandemic, there is a sense to feel connected even more, and people are trying to maintain those connections. Get the look: "A couple of chairs and a bistro table, a bench or two or a tree swing – all of these can make your porch more welcoming and sophisticated.”

“The ultimate luxury, a backyard hot tub encourages us all to slow down a bit during these crazy times and enjoy the present moment with friends and family. Add steps or a raised deck around the hot tub to bring the ground up to the tub’s level, creating an elevated aesthetic.” Get the look: “Try incorporating alternative lighting overhead, such as a few strings of twinkling lights, and you’ll never want to leave your backyard. Add a tub to an existing entertaining space or situate one in its own hideaway nook for the ultimate backyard oasis.”

“Outdoor kitchens, with or without pizza ovens, are the mark of an indoors-out living space.” Get the look: “Just because it’s outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t have indoor luxury, so bring in storage or build in storage through shelving and cabinets; use shelves to display an herb garden in statement planters. For added warmth, centralize the hub with a fire pit dining table (roasted marshmallows make a great after-meal dessert)! To make it restaurant-esque, fill the larger kitchen space with lots of seating for dining.”

“A pop of color into a backyard space can create a joyous and happy environment for relaxing. Pastel colors have always been associated with spring, but now they're a year-round look for any occasion.” Get the look: “I would add these colors on an outdoor sofa via some throw pillows and then add a couple of floral patterned accent chairs to complement the 'year-round spring look.' To contrast pastels, a splash of warmth can be achieved by adding some natural wood elements such as a bench, table or bar cart to complete the look.”

“Since Japandi style is rising to fame, cane (a plant sourced from parts of Asia) is rising right along with it. Bring it to your outdoors and play with a more global or traveled feel by pairing cane with other 'plant' furniture, such as rattan.” Get the look: "Whether you’re working with a cane outdoor chair, bench or sofa, it’s a good idea to layer on seat cushions to contrast textures and colors!"

“This pandemic inspired a lot of people to start their own garden in order to get outside – and supply their pantries with home-grown fruits, veggies, and herbs.” Get the look: "Try hanging planters, planters and vases on tables and wall planters. On the ground, opt for boxes, potted trees and raised garden beds. Also, mix types: veggies with flowers in one bed creates an eclectic look while saving space and creating more biodiversity to encourage insects to pollinate."

“These fun yet modern chairs are the perfect combination of comfort and style to enhance anyone’s outdoor space. Egg chairs look their best on front porches and back patios, especially when paired with cozy pillows or a rug, for a more personal feel.” Get the look: “A few outdoor accent tables, to set down summer refreshments nearby, can introduce different textures and shapes. These chairs can be used to create an outdoor conversation area or can function as a stand-alone accent piece meant for the pure art of relaxation.”

"Planters are great props for setting boundaries – just as walls and room dividers do for the indoors. While taking the extra step to separate a dining area from a lounging area might not seem that necessary, in the long run, zoning spaces for different purposes can make a backyard feel more accessible, relaxed and just as comfy as the interior of a home." Get the look: "To this end, pretty planters in your favorite colors are a perfect (and stylish) means. Use planters to line walkways, wrapping them up with fairy lights, so they are visible at night!"

"The granny flat, or a detached living space situated in a backyard, offers a way for families to live with their grandparents without actually sharing a roof." Get the look: "Granny flats, though, can be for anything, depending on how you decorate it: turn it into a hotel-like bedroom for an all-purpose guest house, or furnish it with a pool table and TV for a next-level mancave. However you use it, make sure to connect it in some way to the main house, via stepping stones or a small patio."

"Modern-day real estate has been leaning towards smaller yards, so it’s important to maximize every inch. Hydroponics allow gardeners to plant upwards – along walls and ledges, without soil – by infusing roots with a nutrient-rich mineral solution." Get the look: "One of my favorites is the ladder garden. Another great method is attaching metal hooks to the backs of mini terracotta pots and then hanging the pots along a lattice or trellis. It can be as simple as a tier of stacked planters or as intricate as a high-rise wall completely covered in vegetation."

"A boho backyard is at its best when it feels like an extension of your indoors. Many gravitate to this style because it encourages unique spaces and inspiration for travel." Get the look: "Go for classics like patterned pillows, lanterns and rugs, as well as the avant garde things you wouldn’t normally think of for an outdoor space, such as wall mirrors, wall art and floor cushions. Try positioning various plants throughout your space and get creative by choosing ceramic pots with contrasting colors and textures that are eye-catching."