After another long, drawn-out Covid winter, summer has finally arrived, and we need the enjoyment of the outdoors more than ever. Your backyard may need a makeover but booking a landscape or pool company is a one- to two-year wait. So, what can you do yourself that’s easy and affordable while providing that wow factor?
Here are our top five DIY trends you can start implementing this weekend!
FURNITURE
The style grabbing all the attention this year is rattan – but not traditional rattan that has a reputation for being uncomfortable. New and improved styles feature robust backrests and stylish cushions to ensure ultimate comfort while relaxing, sipping wine, or enjoying a ball game on your outdoor TV.
Other popular designs this year are powder-coated aluminum pieces, teakwood, and natural ceramics that can handle our summer climate and give a new life to your outdoor living space. Outdoor day beds and low coffee tables project an open and spacious appeal for those relaxing moments reading or reclining.
Whatever your style, it’s all about comfort, elegance, and being entertainment-ready.
LIGHTING
Outdoor LED lighting has become a popular element that complements the mood of your evening while remaining an energy-efficient solution for your home. It can be as easy as a string of lights across your gazebo to twinkle lights under an awning or garden spotlighting beautiful trees and plants.
Today’s lighting options range from soft, calming colours for background elegance to bright or colourful lighting perfect for a party atmosphere.
COLOUR PALETTES
Soft, dusty accent colours like pink, blue, and neutrals are all the rage this year, adding charm and elegance. Summery colours and contemporary patterns are great for cushions and outdoor rugs. Or, go for a brighter hue in vintage furniture like a retro-inspired hoop chair or Miami mod accent piece.
FIRE PITS AND OUTDOOR COOKING
Outdoor kitchens continue to be on-trend with new additions to the usual BBQ setup. Smokers are gaining popularity as a slow-cooking method to prepare meat
while spending an afternoon at home. A trip to your local home renovation store provides a range of sizes and prices to suit your needs. Pizza ovens are very popular again this year but abide by your local bylaws when installing them in your backyard. When designing your outdoor cooking area, consider setting up a patio corner as a dedicated kitchen space. After your meal, create a warm ambiance with a modern firepit and cozy chairs. In areas where bylaws restrict the use of wood fires, look for ethanol and propane alternatives for a similar effect. Many styles also come with a cover, so fi res not in use can double as additional tabletop space.
GARDENING
In 2021, we saw the emergence of ‘hardscaping’ with prominent stonework bringing a featured look to the backyard. This year, the focus is on ’nature-scaping,’ a natural, wild garden look. Long grasses and rustic garden paths are meant to soften the hardscape with a more natural and less structured look. So, whether you’ve already done hardscaping or are planning to incorporate a feature this year, adding wildflowers and grasses can create a more natural yet unique look.
Are you looking for a change from the same old gardening style? Vertical planting, also called living walls, is a hot gardening trend to create height and drama in your yard. Whether there’s a plain wall you want to cover or just spruce up your back garden, a living wall can be as simple or intricate as you like. Hang plant pots on vertical frames for a simple, cost-effective solution or create a more sophisticated look with modular, hydroponic panels requiring electronically monitored water and nutrient delivery. The only rule to follow is to plant upwards instead of outwards!
