When we think of summer fun, saturated colors and prints often come to mind as the backdrop. The outdoor patio space offers up the perfect opportunity to be a bit more playful with patterns and colors without having to worry about them clashing with the rest of your decor. Each season you can swap in new patterns and colors using simple accessories like pillows, pieces for outdoor dining, and even throw blankets for those cooler summer nights.
Starting with great patio furniture, in a neutral color, is a guaranteed way to ensure you won’t be limited when experimenting with prints. The Elements Outdoor Sectional comes in a soft sandy color that is perfect for mixing and matching with other colors. The Sicilia Dining Table and its matching chairs are made of faux wood and metal. These materials are eye-catching as is the set’s beautiful soft gray color. Other materials like colorful glass and funky prints will magnificently pop against this patio set.
When choosing outdoor textiles for your patio opt for fabrics that are breathable, lightweight, and either weather resistant or waterproof. These fabrics will be made of synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic and even cotton blends. During the manufacturing process these fabrics are chemically treated so they can repel water, which prevents mildew growth.
One of the best ways to test drive a trendy pattern is in your backyard, since all you need is a few simple elements to give it a whirl.
Here’s a list of our favorite trending prints, worth looking out for this season:
Floral embroidery: While you may not be able to get real embroidering on an outdoor textile, a print that mimics embroidering is a fun option.
Blue and white folk print: We’ve mentioned this print a lot on the blog lately, but it’s one of our favorites, and a staple in France.
Gingham: Another classic, this style of print instantly evokes feelings of summer.
Doodle print: This is a very fashion-forward option. Doodle print appears exactly as it sounds; as though someone drew all over the fabric. When used well, doodle print creates a whimsical and playful look.
Building your outdoor accessories collection means you will likely be mixing prints in order to get the most mileage out of the items you purchase each season. Keep these rules in mind when mixing prints in order to create a look that is both dynamic and easy on the eyes:
1) Narrow your color palette to three or four colors so things don’t look too crazy.
2) Mix the size of the patterns, some large, some small. Patterns that are the same size compete for attention, which confuses the eye.
3) Throwing some solid fabrics into the mix helps neutralize a space that has multiple prints on the go.
Good luck and have fun playing with prints!
