Is 2024 the year you’re planning to tackle that outdoor renovation you’ve been dreaming of? With so many options out there, it can be hard to know what’s worth investing in and what’s just a passing fad. Lucky for you, we’ve been tracking the latest outdoor trends and some are clearly built to last. Forget the flash in the pan – these are the outdoor style trends of 2024 that are here to stay. From sustainable materials to multifunctional spaces, these trends blend style, comfort and purpose. Your outdoor oasis awaits, and it will be a space you’ll love for years to come. Read on for the outdoor trends you need to know that will still be turning heads in 2024 and beyond.
Minimalist Outdoor Living Spaces
Minimalism is in and has been for several years. While the jury is still out on minimalism’s role in interior design, it’s still a fantastic option for alfresco living. The thing is, we’re looking at outdoor minimalism a bit differently now. We don’t only want a few chairs and a table, but we also don’t want clutter.
Things like the Scandi design style and multi-purpose furniture allow us to achieve comfortable and practical minimalist spaces. Focus on high-quality, versatile furniture like modular sofas, benches, and ottomans that can be grouped together or spread out. Neutral, earthy tones blended with natural materials create a peaceful vibe. Don’t overdo pot plants, but also don’t skimp on them either.
- Choose a patio cover or pergola in a simple style that provides shade without dominating the space.
- Add greenery for visual interest using potted plants, trees or vertical gardens. Their organic shapes complement the minimalist look.
- Include a fire pit, fireplace or chiminea as a focal point for warmth and ambience. The flickering firelight enhances the minimalist aesthetic.
- Use decorative accents sparingly. A few lanterns, candles or string lights are all you need.
- Keep your patio clutter-free and avoid overdecorating. A minimalist outdoor space is a breath of fresh air and a perfect place to unwind.
Alfresco Areas & Patio Covers
If you’re planning an outdoor renovation, alfresco areas and patio covers should be at the top of your list. These versatile spaces extend your home’s living area and provide shelter from the elements so you can enjoy the outdoors all year round.
Alfresco Areas
An alfresco area, or outdoor room, is a paved space that connects your home to the garden or patio. It’s the perfect spot for casual outdoor dining, lounging or entertaining. For a welcoming feel, include comfortable seating, planters, lighting and maybe a fireplace or fire pit.
Patio Covers
A patio cover protects your alfresco area from sun and rain so you can use it in any weather. Patio covers come in a range of styles – from tall, flyover designs, to the always fashionable pergola. For the best results, choose a reputable patio cover builder to custom design one to suit your home’s architecture and your family’s needs. They can advise on building permits and ensure it’s installed properly so you’ll enjoy it for years to come.
With an alfresco area and patio cover, you’ll gain an extra multifunctional space that brings the indoors out and the outdoors in. Your secret to effortless outdoor entertaining and enjoyment will be the envy of friends and family alike!
If you’re in the Southeast Queensland area, call SEQ Patio Group. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners bring their dream patio to life. Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote.
Sustainable Materials for Patio Furnishings
When choosing outdoor furniture and decor, opt for sustainable materials that stand the test of time.
Recycled Plastic
The plastic you recycle from your home can find new life as trendy patio chairs, tables, and decor. Recycled plastic lumber looks like wood but requires no maintenance. It won’t rot, warp, or crack and is resistant to weather, insects, and UV radiation.
Choose furnishings made from plastics like high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These plastics are highly recyclable and recycled plastic lumber is an eco-friendly alternative to wood.
Aluminium
Lightweight yet durable, aluminium is ideal for patio furniture from chairs to tables to decor. Aluminium patio pieces are low-maintenance, weather-resistant, and long-lasting.
Look for aluminium furnishings with a powder-coated finish for extra protection. The finish comes in a variety of colours to match any outdoor style. Aluminium furnishings can also be easily cleaned, requiring just a wipe-down to remove dirt and debris.
Teak
Teak wood is a premium hardwood perfect for outdoor use. Although more expensive, teak patio sets can last for decades with minimal upkeep. Teak is naturally resistant to rot, mould, mildew and weather. Over time, teak furnishings develop a silvery patina.
If treated, teak requires periodic sanding and refinishing to maintain its golden colour. But untreated teak can be left alone to age beautifully into a silver-grey. Teak’s natural oils make it naturally water-resistant yet breathable, ideal for any climate.
Neutral Tones and Textures for Outdoor Style
Natural, earthy tones and textures are here to stay for outdoor spaces. Think sandstone, timber and woven accents. These neutral shades blend seamlessly with natural surroundings, creating a relaxed vibe.
- Sandstone and natural stone bring warmth and texture. Use them for pathways, retaining walls or as a veneer on outdoor structures.
Timber, whether natural, painted or stained, adds visual depth. Use it for decking, support posts, screens or furniture. Cedar and redwood are durable, low-maintenance options. - Natural fibres like seagrass, bamboo and rattan make comfy, breathable furniture that complements the outdoors. They introduce an organic, tactile element.
- Gravel, pebbles and mulch are simple but effective ground covers that feel good underfoot. They also help define spaces in an informal, natural way.
By keeping hardscapes, furnishings and accents in neutral, organic tones, you create an outdoor space that feels like a natural extension of the surrounding environment. These enduring styles stand the test of time and changing trends. Your outdoor oasis will stay looking as fresh as the day it was designed.
SEQ Patio Group uses high-quality, Stratco, patio materials to help homeowners in South East Queensland achieve an outdoor space perfectly suited to the subtropical climate and casual lifestyle.
Alternative Lawns
If you’re over mowing, fertilising and watering a traditional lawn, consider some low-maintenance alternatives. For a natural look without the work, try micro clover, chamomile or thyme. These fragrant, soft, foot-friendly options only need occasional mowing and thrive in many climates. They provide habitat for bees and other pollinators.
Gravel, mulch, rocks or stones also make an easy, eco-friendly lawn substitute. They don’t require mowing or watering and many types are permeable, allowing rain to soak in. For colour, add pots of flowers, succulents or dwarf shrubs.
Low Maintenance Landscaping
Low-maintenance landscaping is ideal for those wanting to spend less time gardening and more time enjoying their outdoor space. When planning your landscape renovation, focus on hardy, drought-resistant plants that require little pruning or care.
Native Plants
Choose plants native to your region that are well-adapted to your local climate. Native plants typically need less maintenance as they are resistant to common diseases and require less water and fertiliser. They also support local wildlife like birds, butterflies and bees.
Paving Stones
Use paving stones, gravel, mulch or permeable pavement in place of high-maintenance lawns. These hardscaping materials prevent weeds, don’t need mowing and allow for easy walking and seating areas. They also help with drainage and temperature control.
Group Plants
Group plants with similar light and water needs together. This makes them easier to care for as you can address their needs efficiently. It also creates a cohesive, well-designed look in your landscape.
Outdoor Screens & Partitions
Outdoor screens and partitions are a stylish way to define spaces in your yard and add an extra layer of privacy or shade. Permanent or temporary, there are many options to suit your needs.
Trellis and Lattice
A wooden trellis or lattice is an affordable, natural-looking choice. Use it to shield a patio, divide a yard, or provide a backdrop for climbing plants. Trellis panels come in a variety of wood types and sizes. For a coordinated look, choose a trellis that matches your decking or fencing wood.
Sliding Panels
Sliding panels offer versatility with the ability to fully enclose or open a space. Panels slide along a track system, allowing you to customise the amount of coverage. Choose from materials like wood, aluminium or vinyl panels in a style to match your home. Sliding panels are ideal for porches, gazebos and other semi-enclosed areas.
Bamboo Screens
For a natural accent, bamboo screens are an eco-friendly choice. Bamboo slats are secured together in a wooden frame. The screens provide shade and privacy but still allow air flow and create dappled light. Bamboo is a durable, weather-resistant material that will last many years outdoors. Use the screens as freestanding panels or attach them to an existing structure. Bamboo complements many architectural styles, from modern to tropical.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces are hugely popular and here to stay. Creating a free-flowing space that connects the inside of your home to the outside is a great way to make the most of your outdoor area and bring the outdoors in.
Open-plan Design
An open-plan home with large windows and sliding glass doors allows for seamless access to the garden or patio. Opening up the space between the inside and outside creates an airy, spacious feel and allows natural light to flood in. Consider knocking down walls to open up the ground floor of your home.
Unified Flooring
Using the same or complementary flooring for your indoor and outdoor spaces helps to create a cohesive feel. Stone, tile or decking are great options for both areas. Continuing the flooring out from inside to outside helps define the space as one.
Matching Decor
Coordinating your interior decor with your outdoor space enhances the connection between the two areas. Use furniture, accessories, and accents in a similar style for a unified look. Keep to a cohesive colour palette for a harmonious transition. Mirroring elements like seating areas or water features indoors and out also helps to draw the spaces together.
Creating a free-flowing indoor-outdoor space is a design trend that allows you to get the most use and enjoyment from your home and garden. Opening up and connecting the inside and outside creates an inviting space for relaxing, entertaining and enjoying the changing seasons.
Multifunctional Patio Covers
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Patio covers that serve more than one purpose are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason. They provide shade and shelter, but can also enhance your outdoor living space in other ways.
Some options to consider include:
Insulated patio covers – Provide shade in summer but also insulation in winter so you can use the space year-round.
Patio covers with lighting – Integrated lighting, like LED spotlights or strip lighting, allow you to use the space day and night.
Patio covers with fans – Ceiling fans or misting fans under the cover improve comfort in hot weather and extend the time you can spend outdoors.
Patio covers with heating – Radiant heaters, fire pits or outdoor fireplaces under the cover mean you can also use the space in cooler months.
Open-close patio covers – These smart patios give you full control of how much light and air is allowed into your alfresco area. With a handy control system, you can reap the benefits of both covered patios and open pergola with one design.
Multifunctional patio covers greatly enhance a home’s outdoor living potential. They provide flexible, versatile spaces you can use for relaxation, entertainment or activities no matter the weather or time of day. An investment that pays off for years to come!
Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens are here to stay. As urban living spaces become more compact, vertical gardens allow you to maximise your square footage by going up instead of out.
Space-saving
A vertical garden takes up little floor space but provides the same plant growing area as a much larger traditional garden. You can create one on a wall, fence, or freestanding structure. Trellises, plant walls, and plant frames are all popular options for training vining plants upwards.
Instead of spreading out, vining plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and peas can be trained to grow up. For homeowners looking to renovate their outdoor space, a vertical garden is an ideal solution when you want to add greenery and plant life but are limited by a small yard. The vertical aspect means you can take your garden up high and make the most of the area you have.
Natural, Overgrown Gardens
Natural, overgrown gardens are here to stay. Homeowners want to bring nature into their outdoor spaces by cultivating a wild, unmanicured look.
Less maintenance
Who wants to spend hours pruning and weeding? Natural gardens require less upkeep since plants are allowed to grow freely. You only need to do some basic pruning and shaping occasionally. Less time maintaining the garden means more time enjoying it!
Good for the environment
Natural gardens attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife by providing habitat and food sources. They also require fewer chemicals since wild-looking plants tend to be hardier. An overgrown, rambling garden is better for biodiversity and sustainability.
Adds visual interest
Unstructured plantings with a mix of heights, textures, and colours are visually captivating. Wild grasses, lavender, poppies and other carefree perennials all intertwine together create a lovely, uncontrived look that invites exploration. Each part of the garden reveals new discoveries.
Let your garden grow wild and embrace nature’s beauty. An unmanicured, bountiful space is restful and inviting. Natural gardens are charming, eco-friendly, and here to stay.
If you want to kick-start your outdoor renovation with a brand-new patio cover, contact the team at SEQ Patio today! Fill out our contact form and get a free quote that same day! Or if you’re really itching to get the ball rolling, give us a call on 07 3153 3864.
