Summer is finally here. If you’re excited to see friends and family, you aren’t the only one. For many of us, this season is sure to be filled with pool parties, patio picnics, and backyard barbecues. So, there has never been a better time than now to refresh your outdoor space. Whether your backyard needs a major overhaul or just some sprucing up, here are the top outdoor design trends of 2021. From the colors you must accessorize with to the design elements that stayed popular from last year, these are all great ways to upgrade your outdoor space.

Painted Details

Bid farewell to the white picket fence and say hello to pink, aqua or any vibrant hue you choose because painted details outdoors is one of the newest trends of 2021 according to Danielle Blundell, Home Director of Apartment Therapy.

This includes everything from fences painted unique colors to custom murals and even painted pool decks. This is also a great DIY project to try. “Exterior paints can be different colors. And you don’t have to worry about the wear and tear. You might have to refresh it seasonally the same way do with decking or your driveway,” she tells me.

This trend may very well be inspired by the Instagram walls that we so popular prior to the pandemic. 

Rattan

We’ve been seeing rattan for several years right now and there’s no chance this trend is going away any time soon. There’s a good reason for this. Rattan is an eco-friendly, high quality material with a timeless aesthetic, according to Janelle Bowers, founder and CEO of Resol Beach. “Rattan is made from natural, sustainable materials that can weather the elements and will last over time. It has been a major trend in outdoor design because it allows us to spend more time outside while enjoying these products, which in turn creates value through memories and experiences.” 

The only caveat to keep in mind is that it can take a little bit of work to maintain. “The best way to care for rattan is treating it like any other piece of furniture. Proper care will ensure the longevity of the natural materials. To maintain the beauty of rattan, clean regularly with a damp, clean cloth and avoid harsh chemicals or oil-based products. When not in use, use a cover to avoid direct sunlight and store in a cool, dark place,” say Bowers.

Broken Plan Layouts

If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that the open floorplan home isn’t quite as appealing when everyone is home all day every day. The same rules apply to outdoor spaces as well, interior designer and HomeGoods Style Expert, David Quarles tells me. “This summer, creating designated spaces outdoors is just as important as it is indoors, as broken-plan layouts are rising in popularity.”

Fortunately, building out a separate layout for patios and backyards can be easy. “Just use your home’s interior layout as your inspiration. Designing outdoor kitchens, lounge areas and dining ‘rooms’ can be easy and affordable by shopping stores like HomeGoods. My favorite trick is to mix-and-match chairs within matching outdoor dining sets, like I did with this solid teakwood table set I found at HomeGoods, to creatively bring the indoors to your outdoor oasis” he says.

Yellow

We could all use a little extra sunshine and there’s no better way to do this than with the color yellow.

“Yellow is the color of optimism and a beautiful way to add a bit of cheer to any space. Try adding hints of your favorite shade of yellow with weatherproof throw pillows, ceramic vases, or handcrafted baskets like I have on my deck’s lounge area, that I purchased from my local HomeGoods for amazing prices! Yellow is also one of Pantone’s colors of the year,” says Quarles.

Fire Pits

Fire pits were a major trend last year and at one point most major retailers were seemingly sold out. Whether built-in or freestanding, they’re just as popular this year. According to broker Gerard Splendore of Warburg Realty, these accessories are the ideal way to get groups outside and reunite with friends and family.

“The fire pit is a gathering spot seen more frequently this summer, as neighbors and friends get reacquainted after isolating for much of the year. Lighting a fire for immediate family members is just as satisfying as it is for a larger group,” he says.

Outdoor Speakers

Whether it is a hardwired system or a portable Bluetooth speaker, as we say goodbye to Zoom happy hours, music is a great way to create an ambiance. “Outdoor music speakers or portable sound systems are a part of every summer gathering this season, which may not be to everyone’s liking. Loud music late at night is a part of the summer landscape, both urban and beyond, but is more prevalent this year as people congregate outdoors,” says Splendore. While you might enjoy the music, you should still be considerate of your neighbors unless you want to read about it on NextDoor.

Outdoor Kitchens

If you’re considering selling your home, there couldn’t be a better time to install an outdoor kitchen. And if you plan to stay, they’re an easy way to help entertain friends and families, agent Karen Kostiw of Warburg Realty tells me.

“What’s a party without the food? Outdoor kitchens have been built out with all of the bells and whistles: fancy grills and smokers, pizza ovens, refrigerators, etc. It’s still difficult for many people to travel, so they are making their outdoor living spaces into a special oasis.”

Greenery Everywhere

While plants have been a major trend for both indoor and outdoor spaces, it’s becoming popular to integrate greenery into other aspects of design. “A lot of cool treatments you’re seeing include stones and grass mixed together, or pavers and grass mixed together,” Blundell tells me.

In addition to this, she has seen a lot of people installing checkerboard floors outside with pavers. “That’s kind of another big trend [along the lines of a] return to classical motifs.”

If grass isn’t growing abundantly in your yard, Blundell suggests mixing it with a bit of faux grass “It’s hard to tell what’s real versus fake,” she says. After all, every home has a few secrets.

Bringing The Indoors Out

Bringing the outdoors inside has been one of the biggest design trends in recent years. Now bringing the indoors outside is having a moment. “At Apartment Therapy’s Small/ Cool Experience, it’s one of our top trends for 2021. And it’s all about maximizing your comfort and being cozy outside no matter the season,” Blundell tells me.

To get this look, she recommends accessorizing your outdoor space with throws, lanterns, and bistro lights. “Turn whatever sliver of space you have, into an outdoor living room where you can kick back and relax. And it goes further than just lighting and textiles. We are starting to see mirrors come outside and sculptural pieces on the sides of homes.”

Outdoor Rugs

Outdoor rugs are another example of bringing the indoors outside.

So what’s the best way to integrate this accessory into your outdoor space? “When it comes to styling, I always start with an outdoor rug as it’s typically an indoor element that can bring beautiful texture and familiarity to an outdoor space. Be sure to look for a rug suited for outdoor use: a material that is easy to clean, won’t fade with sunlight and can handle high moisture and heavy foot traffic,” says Roxy Te Owens, founder and creative director at Society Social.

Outdoor rugs look great on patios or even to section off an outdoor living space in a backyard with a dining table or a sofa and chairs.