Outdoor Living Trends 2022

In 2021, the key garden trend was escapism, with many using their outdoor spaces to create the feeling of being in our favourite holiday resorts. This year, the overall trend has shifted towards caring for and embracing these natural spaces, sustainability is key for 2022, and there will be a big push this year to create or maintain wildlife gardens within our spaces. From helping the bees to creating safe havens to hedgehogs, it’s the little steps that go a long way into helping us get more from our gardens. 

Create a patch in your garden dedicated to wildflowers and native plants; if space is an issue - you can always create a sustainable planting spot in a container or planter. Water features such as fountains are another great way to attract pollinators and act as a natural humidifier for your space. 

Warm tones have enjoyed a resurgence this year, with many opting for shades of terracotta, rust and rose over the once dominating grey and monochromatic shades. This colour palette is warm and cosy, taking inspiration from rustic earth elements. Ideal for any size space, a warm colour palette brings comfort to outdoor dining areas. To add more warm tones to your space, look for wooden outdoor furniture that can be accessorised with outdoor cushions and throw blankets in these key shades. Rattan and cane furniture is another great way to embrace this trend. Cane outdoor accessories such as planters or stools, as well as rattan outdoor dining sets and chairs, bring casual elegance to your outdoor set-up. 

Boho is always a good idea when it comes to decor, but in 2022 we’re going to see an increase in outdoor spaces embracing a sense of calming zen. The boho outdoor living trend works best when used as a way to extend your interior, outside. The transition between the two should be seamless, so opt for accessories such as cosy pillows, lanterns and outdoor rugs as well as ‘out of the box’ accessories that you wouldn’t typically add to a garden such as mirrors, wall art and oversized floor cushions. Large planters dotted around the space will add to the calming nature of this trend, as well as strings of outdoor lights or lanterns for evening entertaining. 

Those looking to embrace a truly contemporary theme for their outdoor space this year need to look no further! Concrete garden furniture and accessories are set to become a huge trend, especially for those looking for a minimalistic approach to outdoor living. Concrete outdoor furniture, seating and even fire pits are incredibly popular at the moment, offering both style and durability. As concrete is naturally weather-resistant, you can enjoy years of use with minimal upkeep as it’s very easy to clean. Concrete outdoor furniture lends itself perfectly to spaces with grass or pebbled areas, creating a striking contrast that’s effortlessly chic. To soften this look, add outdoor cushions in soft, neutral shades as well as throw blankets to create a comfortable outdoor space your guests are guaranteed to enjoy.

White was a huge outdoor trend in 2021 and is set to continue to rise in 2022; however, we expect them to look slightly different. While 2021 was all about bright white painted decks, furniture and accessories, the trend is set to soften in 2022 with the addition of natural accents. This less intense look is perfect for those wanting a relaxing, urban-zen space. If you have already added white to your space, look for ways to add natural hues to your surroundings. Grasses are a great way to bring natural texture to your space, especially plants such as bamboo, pampas and other ornamental grasses, which are all great ways to embrace this muted theme. This stripped-back white trend is designed to inspire us to slow down and appreciate our surroundings.

Get your outdoor living space ready for the summer with the outdoor furniture collection at Olivia's. From furniture to must-have accessories, we have everything you need to entertain in style.