5 Outdoor Living Trends For 2015
ââ¬ÅOur outdoor living spaces are becoming more and more like our indoor spaces, both in how they look and function,ââ¬Â says Lisha Maxey, senior designer with Outdoor Homescapes of Houston. ââ¬ÅAnd just as weââ¬â¢re doing inside, our outdoor kitchens and patio design are starting to break the rules a little - infusing a little more fun and a lot less work.ââ¬Â
Agreeing with her is Outdoor Homescapesââ¬â¢ owner, Wayne Franks: ââ¬ÅPeople are now plugged in 24-7 and want their USB ports, smart device docking stations and state-of-the art audio-visual systems outdoors,ââ¬Â he notes. ââ¬ÅSame goes for outdoor kitchens, with the same restaurant-quality outdoor appliances theyââ¬â¢ve already added indoors.ââ¬Â
Here are the two outdoor designersââ¬â¢ take on next year, with five hot trends for outdoor living in 2015:
More layers of lighting: ââ¬ÅOverhead chandeliers have become very popular for Houston patio design,ââ¬Â says Maxey. ââ¬ÅWeââ¬â¢re also seeing a lot more decorative outdoor lighting, like tabletop lamps and lanterns and candleholders with LED flameless candles.ââ¬Â
Wrought ironââ¬â¢s a popular look for lighting fixtures, adds Maxey, especially in Houston with its Spanish-style influences. But copper and anything with an aged finish or patina are also gaining momentum nationwide.
Bolder colors: ââ¬ÅOutdoor kitchen countertops are no longer just your basic black granite,ââ¬Â says Franks. Although clients often still choose granite, theyââ¬â¢re moving toward more earthy browns, tans, golds or a combination of these hues - although any color is fair game these days. ââ¬ÅThe backsplash seems to be a particularly popular place to show off a bold color or make an artistic statement - perhaps a mosaic tile design, inset fleur de lis or accent tiles in metal or glass.ââ¬Â
Color can also be injected - even changed up seasonally - via cushions, pillows, rugs and other décor accents. Popular hues for 2015? Blues - from a light mineral blue to a dark royal navy blue - and oranges, plums, golds and reds.
Natural - or nature-inspired - materials: ââ¬ÅNatural or manmade stone has completely taken over as the material for outdoor kitchen cabinets and islands, as well as walls and accents like column supports,ââ¬Â says Franks. Countertops and backsplashes are also stone, with travertine and slate joining granite as top choices.ââ¬ÅThe same thing is happening with outdoor furniture,ââ¬Â says Maxey, whoââ¬â¢s seen client after client replacing plastic patio seating and tables with models made of teak, bamboo and wicker. ââ¬ÅEven the décor accents are taking their cues from nature, with troughs and bowls that look like theyââ¬â¢re made of stone, replicas of coral and plenty of tabletop and container gardens.ââ¬Â
Indoor-outdoor connection: ââ¬ÅWith a lot of our outdoor patio covers [http://www.outdoorhomescapes.com/outdoor-design-services/covered-outdoor-kitchens/], people are replacing windows and walls with large French doors, so they have better access to the outside,ââ¬Â says Maxey. Nationwide, many people are even installing huge picture windows or floor-to-ceiling glass walls so they can see the outside when inside and vice versa.ââ¬Â
Gadgets galore: ââ¬ÅFrom docking stations for smart devices to the latest outdoor kitchen appliances,ââ¬Â says Wayne, ââ¬Åpeople want the same outdoor amenities they have indoors.ââ¬Â
Outdoor audio-visual systems are a must, with eight out of 10 of Franksââ¬â¢ clients wanting outdoor TVs and ââ¬Å10 out of 10ââ¬Â wanting music (compared to 6 out of 10 and 9 out of 10, respectively, two years ago). ââ¬ÅBut thatââ¬â¢s not all - they want docking stations for tablets and smart phones, so if a friend or family members wants a particular song or movie, they can just play it immediately.ââ¬Â For outdoor kitchens, says Franks, the latest appliances include infrared burners (added to existing grills for searing steaks) and drop-down power burners for crab or crawfish boils. ââ¬ÅWhen you just turn on one burner on the power burner, you can use it to sauté.ââ¬Â