We've finally made it to the time of the year when we can start to head back out into our backyards and give it a well-needed refresh ahead of summer.
And what better place to start than having a look over this year's hottest outdoor decorating trends? For 2025, garden trends are leaning into comfort, color, and character like never before as we look to give our patio ideas as much thought and personality as interior spaces.
Whether it’s a shift in color palettes, a fresh take on upholstery, or a far-flung aesthetic, these trends are set to redefine the way we design our outdoor spaces in 2025. So, planting aside, we've consulted top experts for their views on the outdoor decorating trends you need to know to help you create a stylish and enviable garden.
The outdoor decor trends to know in 2025
Whether you have a big or small garden, for most of us, our backyards are an extension of the indoors of our home. Another room to decorate, host, entertain, and relax. So it's only right you treat their design with as much gusto as you do indoors. These 10 inspiring outdoor decorating trends are sure to inspire.
1. Contrast piping on upholstery
In 2025, we're saying goodbye to boring outdoor fabrics and furnishings. Sure we still want to focus on performance and weather-resistant fabrics, but that doesn't mean they can't also be as stylish as the upholstery inside your home.
Kailee Blalock, designer and co-founder at House of Hive, says the most on-trend way to upgrade your patio furniture is with piping and contrast welt. 'A tailored look with a pop of color, this trend elevates outdoor upholstery,' she says. 'Whether in bold hues or subtle, tone-on-tone combinations, contrast piping creates a polished, custom appearance.'
This is particularly popular in classic color combinations like navy and white, black and cream, or earthy terracotta with beige, adding an elevated edge to everything from lounge chairs to outdoor sofas and ottomans.
You can shop the look from celebrity designer Jake Arnold's outdoor collection at Crate & Barrel, which features a whole range of elegant furnishings with contrast piping, as seen above on the Hartford Lounge Chair.
2. European escape
Following a shift away from clean lines and modern outdoor living, designers are looking to pave the way for a European aesthetic this year. Inspired by the timeless charm of the Mediterranean, people are looking to their travels for inspiration and wanting to recreate that dreamy, transportive feeling at home.
'I've been seeing a lot of European-inspired motifs for outdoor decor this summer,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'Bold striped patterns inspired by the beach clubs of the Amalfi coast, jaunty tassels inspired by Andalusia, and artfully-weathered teak pieces inspired by the French Riviera.'
'It's all about creating a serene escape in your own backyard and making your outdoor space feel like a sanctuary that anyone would want to jet-set to,' Kathy adds. Key elements include wrought iron furniture, aged terracotta, handwoven wicker, and weathered pieces that develop a lovely patina over time.
Designed by Jake Arnold, if you look closely, you'll see this bistro set is actually finished in a sage green, and if you look even closer, the seat cushions are in an all-weather ticking stripe for added glamour.
It is time to ditch modern planters in search of something more timeless and organic, like a terracotta urn. Giving a classic Mediterranean feel, this can be placed on your patio and filled with a fig or olive tree for an authentic look.
Sourced by Olive Ateliers, this vintage bistro table features a marble top on sturdy yet delicately detailed iron legs for a French country look. It will naturally patina over time to create its own unique character.
3. Scallops and waves
Indoors and out, scallops are a big interior design trend for this year. Playful yet elegant, wavy designs bring a sense of movement and whimsy to outdoor spaces, appearing on everything from patio umbrellas and seat cushions to furniture and planters.
Scallops introduce a lovely touch of vintage charm while feeling super fresh and contemporary. And some of your favorite brands are on board. As expected, Sarah Sherman Samuel's designs for the Lulu and Georgia outdoor collection feature many curves, waves, and scallops, and there are no straight lines to be found in Anthropologie's outdoor collection, too.
Perhaps an extension of the love for European garden design, you can shop for classic decorative ironwork on furniture and decor. Think wavy-edged side tables, curvaceous lounge chairs, and scalloped ceramic planters to add softness and a designer-approved style.
Business & Pleasure Co. has designed a new range of playfully scalloped outdoor furniture for 2025, including this quaint dining chair. While the cushion is sold separately, we love the styling of the stripes and waves.
A scalloped patio umbrella is almost a must-have for all gardens this year. This one spans 9' when open and is made from a weather- and fade-resistant polyester which you can choose from many hues to suit your patio.
Freshen up old patio furniture with some new, cottage-style cushions like this scallop-edged gingham pillow designed by Shea McGee for her Target collection. Made from weather-, UV-, water-, and fade-resistant material.
4. Retro patio umbrellas
Give your garden the feeling of a luxury vacation with a retro patio umbrella. Not only will it provide a much-needed shaded spot for dining, hosting, and relaxing, but it will create a stylish statement, too.
'Outdoor umbrellas are embracing vintage charm with fringed edges, scalloped trims, and contrast welting,' adds Kailee. 'These details bring an elegant, retro-chic flair.'
'Invest in a parasol made from durable, weather-resistant materials to ensure longevity, especially if it will be exposed to outdoor elements, and choose a location in your garden that receives ample sunlight but also offers enough space for the parasol to provide shade effectively,' advises Lucy Ferguson, CEO and designer at East London Parasol.
For a budget-friendly buy, this Market Umbrella packs some punch in the style stakes. Available in 2 sizes, it has a push-button lift and crank tilt, is fade-resistant, and finished with Studio McGee-style stripes and fringe.
To create a 5* hotel resort feel, this pagoda-style patio umbrella is the ideal choice for both practicality and style. You can choose from a few colors, but we love this deep green to feel like you're lying under an Italian cabana.
This retro, vacation style patio umbrella is going to be your favorite poolside accessory all summer long. The base is sold separately, so it is more of an investment, but the sunny colors and pattern can't be matched.
5. Florals and foliage prints
If you're looking for ways to make your outdoor space feel lush and layered, nature-inspired prints will do just that. Whether it's tropical leaves, English garden florals, or Mediterranean citrus motifs, pattern can instantly make a space feel more inviting and design-led.
'The beauty of the garden is increasingly influencing fabric choices, with floral patterns becoming a key design element outdoors,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'Whether through cushions, table linens, or upholstered seating, these patterns echo the natural landscape, tying the outdoor setting into the overall design.'
Try to incorporate prints with throw pillows for your outdoor seating, a rug underfoot (outdoor-friendly, ideally), and of course, think about your outdoor dining area with some pretty table linens and an umbrella or canopy.
Designed by Shea for the McGee & Co. summer collection, this dynamic floral print was loved by Shea so much she also made it into napkins too. It's got a durable, wool-like texture for super comfy styling.
For a more traditional foliage-inspired print, we love these artistic napkins from Pottery Barn. They feel reflective of a vintage tapestry print and are printed on a cotton-linen for a textured feel.
This outdoor pillow is designed using Sunbrella® solution dyed jacquard fabric in a lush floral print that is beautiful enough for use both indoors and out. It feels like a really classic find.
6. Fun and unexpected tiling
Finding the right patio flooring ideas for you can be quite a challenge. Aside from the myriad options out there (Smooth or rugged? Contemporary or cottage style?), you also have to consider sensible criteria like anti-slip material. But while we can talk all day about the outdoor tile types recommended, it's also important to consider trends and styles in the mix.
'Patios don’t have to be boring,' says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra. 'Instead, bring life to your garden by choosing porcelain tiles instead of decking or flagstones.'
'Adding tiles with pattern and color adds a whole new dimension to your garden, creating an unexpected focal point,' she continues. 'For an added twist, you can continue the tiles from your home into the garden to create an uninterrupted flow. Just make sure you choose a porcelain tile so they are hardy enough to withstand frosts.'
Lauren agrees, adding, 'Blurring the line between inside and out with seamless flooring creates a natural transition from interior to exterior spaces. Extending materials across thresholds brings continuity, allowing outdoor areas to feel like an effortless extension of the home.'
7. Dark fences that aim to disappear
Fence decorating ideas can be quite subjective. For some, a painted fence is a hard no, whereas others love to make a statement with color. When looking for a trending shade to paint your garden fence this year, Patrick O'Donnell, international brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball, suggests looking to the dark side.
'The best way to deal with a rather mundane fence is to paint it dark,' he advises. 'As well as looking rather smart, it helps it to disappear, making a very flattering backdrop to planting. Smart options here would be Inchyra Blue, which has an empathetic lick of green through it.'
'Alternatively, try the moodier but rather chic options of Railings or Off Black in Exterior Eggshell. Avoid a shiny finish; you want the color to ‘retreat’,' says Patrick. 'For something a little more urban, add a splash of warmth with spice tones – this will lend itself rather beautifully to smaller gardens. Red Earth in Exterior Eggshell is your friend here and will deliver a warm glow even on the gloomiest of days.'
8. Bring the comfort of indoors out
A big shift in outdoor decor trends is not seeing it as a separate space to the inside of your home but rather an extension or an extra room that you want to make feel just as inviting and relaxing as any indoor space. Make your patio or seating area as comfy as your living room by layering up weatherproof seating (not exactly the comfiest) with pillows, throws, and rugs and even consider an outdoor fireplace and TV, as styled by Gray Walker above.
'When it comes to outdoor decor, I like to bring a similar ethos to it as I would to any indoor interior decor project,' Kathy Kuo continues. 'Look to items that you love that are going to serve you well in day-to-day life, and also stand the test of time.'
'If you're looking to extend a similar look from your indoor space to your outdoor one, try matching outdoor throw pillows and an outdoor rug to the pieces you have in your living room,' she suggests. 'The effect will feel cohesive and elegant – just make sure to go for performance fabrics that are intended for outdoor use.'
Patterned rugs make such a statement outdoors, offering additional texture and comfort underfoot. This 'Positano' rug has been inspired by retro checkerboard tile and can be used in or outdoors.
Rechargeable, portable lamps are a great buy for summer. Suitable for use indoors and out as it is damp-rated (just please do bring it indoors when you're not outside) it has 3 levels of dimmer, and the battery lasts 6-10 hours.
A really stand-out find from Wayfair, this Birch Lane ottoman (and co-ordinating chairs) feels like something straight out of a French country manor. The frame has been made from pewter with an antique finish, while the 6" cushion adds comfort.
9. Decorate with earthy warm tones
For years, black and white have dominated outdoor design, offering a sleek, modern, and safe color palette. But in 2025, designers are encouraging homeowners to move beyond the monochrome look in favor of richer, more earthy colors and textures.
Typically, most garden and outdoor furniture used to come in either black or gray. But designer Abbie Naber, of A. Naber Design is encouraging homeowners to try a new hue for this year's outdoor decorating trends.
'There is an outdoor decor trend towards less black finishes and more earth tones, incorporating browns and warmer tones into exterior materials as well as furniture,' observes Abbie. 'I think an easy default is to source black and white furniture. Here, [above] we opted to avoid just that, focusing on the pool tile and exterior furnishings to blend seamlessly with the landscape.'
10. Include some playful stripes
The best-decorated gardens are ones that look outside the box. Whether in classic cabana-style designs, coastal blue and white stripes, wide contemporary strokes, or subtle pinstripes, this timeless pattern instantly enlivens outdoor spaces.
In this poolside space, seen above, designed by Sarah Stacey Interior Design, the strong stripe perfectly offsets the soft pink of the surrounding buildings for a contemporary outdoor space that certainly goes beyond the expected. And it's set to be a big trend (both indoors and out) this year.
You've only got to do a quick scroll through McGee & Co.'s outdoor collection to find stripes galore. It's the ultimate sign of a fashion-forward alfresco space.
Trust Sarah Sherman Samuel to make the hammock cool again. This scalloped, wavy-trimmed lounger has been finished with stripes and a matching pillow to help you buy into a piece of her signature style.
Another great Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee piece, the Lydia pouf feels almost too good to sit outdoors. It is made from an iron frame with a durable, striped, outdoor-friendly fabric that is finished with contrast piping.
A beach pillow sounds like something we all need, and while its terry cloth exterior does make it the ideal beach companion, it would also look lovely in an outdoor living room or patio – especially if there is a pool nearby.
So, which of these trends will you be bringing into your outdoor space this year? However you choose to update your patio area, the key is to make it feel like a natural extension of your aesthetic indoors.
