Inside Out

Top tips to create a modern outdoor living space that celebrates the now and then.

Get real.

With less separation between indoors and out, there’s now an emphasis on bona-fide furniture—from sectionals to recliners. That means “full-blown outdoor living rooms, dining rooms and even kitchens, replete with drapery, area rugs and lighting,” says Julian Riley of Maria Tomás in Calgary.

Be bold.

Banish the bitsy bistro table for a more daring statement piece and go for large-scale patterns and bold stripes. It’s all about “contemporary over traditional styles, retro aside,” says Riley, and “large-scale pieces, such as daybeds and double chaises and cocoons.”

Go high-tech.

Today’s super-durable and innovative materials range from hot-dip galvanized iron and virtually bulletproof powder-coated aluminum to fabric you can hose down yet looks like it belongs inside. “Indoor transitioning to outdoor through the technology of fabric is huge this year,” says Mechelle Byrne of Vancouver’s Livingspace.

Colour your (outdoor) world.

There’s a bit of a pop-art revival going on, so embrace it with a burst of colour. Think beyond the usual white, wood and neutral metals and go for that bright yellow, fuchsia or peacock blue.