Eclectic al fresco
Outdoor décor gets free-spirited
There are those who prefer perfectly matched furniture and a monochromatic color scheme in décor. But for those who like to shake things up, it’s time to take it outside.
There’s a free-spirited attitude now in outdoor décor, with mix-and-match elements and an easy, colorful, playful charm.
“People are setting up their outdoor spaces just like their family rooms, with a focus on comfort and conversation,” says Better Homes & Gardens editor Amy Panos.
“The idea of mixing different furniture styles is coming outdoors. Rather than a matching set, pair different styles. Put a modern sofa with a raw wood table, for example. Pair a teak dining table with brightly colored, molded plastic chairs.”
Consider throw pillows and rugs as inexpensive ways to add eclectic flair.
“I like eclecticism,” says Ikea’s creative lead Karin Gustavsson. “It allows you to create an environment that’s more personal, and much more interesting. … Beachy and bohemian.”
Pieces that get the conversation started are great additions to an eclectic outdoor space.
At Anthropologie, British designer Tracey Boyd’s octagonal Moussem stool takes a Moroccan-inspired pattern back to its simple, geometric roots, in a warm palette of cream, ebony, sky and persimmon. Illustrator Alex Sickling’s folk-inspired ceramic pots feature quirky sketches of playful alpacas. And a hot-air balloon ride over the African savannah inspired the bold patterns on stools by Arizona designer Whitney Pozgay.
A dreamcatcher weave creates the back of a breezy swinging chair from Pier 1 that can be hung from a beam or tree, or on a free-standing frame. A hand-gilded Balinese umbrella made of canvas, Durian wood and mother-ofpearl would be a pretty accent on a deck or patio with allweather wicker armchairs and a simple fire pit.
Include collections if you’ve got them — a bowl of pretty stones or shells; a group of vintage tins or bottles.
And don’t forget lighting: Battery-operated or electric string lights, lanterns and candles put the finishing touches on a welcoming outdoor space with lots of personality.