10 Outdoor Living Trends for 2022

2022 is set to be one of the biggest years yet for outdoor spaces. With more time spent at home and restrictions on indoor socialising, our exteriors are taking on more importance than ever before.

This year’s garden trends see the exterior move much closer to the interior in terms of our expectations. Whether that means creating paved patios or incorporating stylish industrial outdoor lights, our guide is full of ideas to help you turn your garden into a paradise!

Climate Conscious

Every year, more attention is being placed on eco-conscious designs. As we all become more aware of the changes we need to make, homes, indoors and out, are beginning to become more environmentally-friendly spaces.

You might think that a garden is a naturally eco-friendly location, but there’s actually a lot more we can do in these spaces. Designers are now taking additional steps to make outdoor spaces friendlier for the environment, including allowing more flowers and insects to thrive and creating organic vegetable patches.

Front Garden Focus

Often, people spend so much of their time styling their garden that they forget about the patch outside their front door. However, with the growing popularity of small garden ideas and gardening in general, we expect interest in the front of house to skyrocket!

You can also utilise many of the design trends mentioned below in a smaller front garden. Things like potted plants, wild flowering and even seating can transform your front space.

Lots of Pots

Over the last year, everyone has taken more of an interest in the outdoors. With more time at home and a need to get outdoors, many of us have tried new green-fingered hobbies, and these will often dictate how we design our outdoor spaces.

We expect a lot more gardens to feature vegetable patches this year. For gardens with less natural or healthy soil, pots will play a big part. With so many different sizes and coloured botanicals available, pots are a hugely versatile design tool, adding life to traditional and contemporary outdoor spaces.

The Edible Garden Trend

With growing pots and eco-friendly living both increasing in popularity, it’s no surprise to see the edible garden trend take off in recent months.

Growing veggies and herbs doesn’t just save you a few things on your shopping list - it can also create incredibly stylish outdoor spaces. With a diverse range of plants, you can create a wonderland of shapes and colours that complement your design choices.

Exterior is the New Interior

It used to be that, from a design aspect, the garden and home were separate. Over the last year, the garden has become such an important space that it’s treated just like any living space inside the home.

It’s time to give your exterior the love and care you give your interior. That means paying particular focus to your use of furnishings and colours to ensure balance and cohesion in your outdoor spaces.

Five Sense Spaces

Designing the perfect outdoor haven requires much more thought than creating the perfect living room. There are so many things to consider, but also a wealth of opportunities to explore.

When creating your dream exterior, think about how you can use all the different senses. Pay particular focus to how light travels through, adding different textures and also how you can use natural fragrance to create an enchanting escape.

Zoning

No matter whether your outdoor space is big or small, pairing design with functionality is another way exteriors are mirroring interiors.

Zoning is a hugely effective method of making your outdoor space more welcoming. Using furniture, plants and paving to create dedicated areas for work, rest and play will allow you to have a multi-functional space that works whatever the occasion.

Outdoor Kitchens

The BBQ is a quintessential part of summer, but with more time spent at home, many people are looking to upgrade from their standard metal frame.

A large, built-in cooking space makes the perfect structural statement for any outdoor living space and is also a great excuse for having family and friends around.

There are so many different styles available, from rustic brickwork pizza ovens to more contemporary outdoor kitchen setups, allowing you to find something that fits your style.

Outdoor Cinemas & Bars

Due to recent COVID restrictions, many of us have been forced to socialise in outdoor spaces. As a result, a lot of effort has been put into making these small havens into warm, sociable locations.

Outdoor cinemas and bars have both grown in popularity recently, as people look for more ways to entertain. Fitting your outdoor spaces with nice furnishings, entertainment and stunning lighting can help to make your place the go-to for any social event.

Big Small Spaces

Small outdoor spaces can sometimes be neglected, but the recent popularity of outdoor hobbies has seen these places take on even more importance.

Small gardens are perfect for adapting and changing to the latest trends. Consider fitting a space with potted vegetable plants, a few chairs and stylish tiling for an on-trend, bohemian feel.

Rewilding

Part of the trend towards sustainability, rewilding is becoming a popular design choice for gardens.

Instead of highly-manicured lawns, rewilding is all about letting wildflowers have free rein over your outdoor space. These natural plants and shrubs not only provide habitats for creatures but also help to create a rustic look and require much less maintenance than traditional flowers.

You don’t need to rewild your entire outdoor space - providing one area where nature can take its cause can create a focal point for an inspiring garden.

Wild Walls

Rewilding isn’t just for lawns and plots. Jumping off the curtails of the flower wall trend, helping natural flowers and shrubs take over walls can create a stunning rustic feature even in small outdoor spaces. They can also help block noise and provide a sense of privacy and escapism from the outside world.

Extend the Season

With more focus on creating sociable spaces, it’s no surprise people want to make the most of their outdoors.

Unfortunately, the weather can sometimes get in the way of your enjoyment when outdoor socialising. Incorporating features like shelters, firepits and outdoor lighting makes your exterior more enjoyable outside of summer.

We hope these trends will inspire you to create your own stunning outdoor space this year! If you’re looking for more inspiring exteriors, be sure to follow our Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages, where we post stunning designs daily.

Also, make sure to download or order your copy of our new In Retail magazine, containing our full product range alongside information on a range of projects that we have worked on over the years.