This summer sees outdoor living spaces explode in color.
From turquoise to bubblegum pink and sunshine yellow, happy-go-lucky hues are splashed across newly arrived Adirondack chairs to paper lanterns, umbrellas to planters in solids and patterns.
A change of accessories, ambient lighting or textural layers is all it takes to transform the look of an outdoor room from, say, hotel chic to Moroccan riad.
Layers: If your outdoor room is already home to solids, you can work in seasonal hues by layering on accessories in stripes, floral motifs and geometric patterns that incorporate your color scheme.
For example, Cost Plus World Market’s new Rio pattern stripe embraces the retailer’s red-hot electric blue in addition to other colors, including touches of red for pairing with solid reds or white. The collection includes pillows, cushions, textiles and tabletop sets, as well as paper lanterns and string lights.
Color block: Solids on solids is another effective way of incorporating seasonal colors. Blue, for example, works well with most colors.
But color doesn’t just come from pillows. Consider Ikea’s PS Vago molded plastic easy chairs in yellow, pink, white and black; or Cost Plus World Market’s Adirondack chairs in orange, yellow, lime green or blue.
According to Kimberley Yant-Dominguez, Cost Plus divisional merchandise manager, “One chair can layer into an occasional setting easily tying in color and keep the setting eclectic, while four around a coffee table or fire pit can really create a stunning focal point.”
Soft touches: If vibrant colors aren’t your thing, consider colors that mimic nature such as a leafy green.
Pottery Barn takes inspiration from great escapes, including its Palmetto Collection of synthetic wicker and pillows featuring palm trees against a white background and bamboo prints against a green background. Toss a couple of these pillows on a white lounger for an island feel.
“Tropical island patterns can transform any backyard space into a whimsical destination,” says Kendra Stewart, a spokeswoman for Pottery Barn.
Pale colors are another alternative. Ikea’s focus is on pinks, blues and yellows in stripes and floral prints featured on everything from pillows to lighting. Its wind- and solar-powered Solvinden pendant lamp is available in white, yellow and pink.
