The 7 Outdoor Decor Trends You’ll Find on Almost Every Patio This Summer

If you want to get a sense of current design trends, Etsy should be one of your first stops (after Apartment Therapy, of course!). For starters, the online marketplace’s trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson, regularly reports on top decor trends using shoppers’ search patterns for insight. And in her latest report, Johnson notes standouts like shimmery shells, dark wood tones, Parisian-inspired antiques, specialty hardware, vintage patterns, delicate lantern lighting, and bold rugs. One thing that’s especially noteworthy about this year’s trends, though, is how applicable they are to outdoor spaces as well as indoor. 

“I love that this year’s decor trends really lend themselves to the concept of indoor and outdoor living,” Johnson says. “For example, rugs with personality and paper lighting are easy but impactful ways to bring a ‘wow’ factor to any backyard, front porch, or balcony.” And mermaidcore is another trend that “just screams summer,” she adds. As the weather warms up (woohoo!) — and as you start sprucing up whatever outside space you’re lucky enough to have — consider Johnson’s trend picks and her ideas for continuing those trends beyond the four walls of your house. These tips and products are guaranteed to make your outdoor spaces just as cozy as the ones inside. 

Although lighter woods and blonde Scandi finishes have dominated in recent years, Etsy saw a 337 percent increase in searches for walnut desks and accessories and a 28 percent increase in searches for brown seating or furniture this year. These findings suggest that people are looking for more chocolatey, deep tones, perhaps inspired by old-school architecture. Add touches of dark wood to your outside space with dark wood patio furniture or accessories like candlesticks or charcuterie boards. Don’t be afraid to mix darker woods with lighter ones, too, as seen in the Melbourne patio above. 

Parisian style is all about adding vintage glamour to a space and, in this case, your patio, deck, or porch (think: ornate gold mirrors, chandeliers, marble or faux marble, linen, and ruffles galore — yes, these materials can translate to the outdoors if you’re strategic about their placement). Etsy’s trend report notes a 119 percent increase in searches for wall mirrors, a 96 percent increase in searches for marble sinks, and a 67 percent increase in searches for custom oil paintings. If you’re looking for ways to add this fancy, Louvre-like look to the outdoors, try marble serving boards, ruffled tablecloths, or bistro-style seating. Search for vintage pieces that will work outdoors, as well, like scalloped brass or weathered stone planters. Embellished mirrors can be hung on exterior walls under covered patios and the same goes for chandeliers — look for non-wired styles that you can carefully light up with candles. 

If you’re on TikTok, you’ve seen mermaidcore in fashion, and it’s definitely creeping into interiors, too. There’s been a 125 percent increase in searches on Etsy for elements like scalloped runners, a 24 percent increase in searches for mother of pearl trays, and a 22 percent increase in searches for bubble light fixtures or pendants. As Johnson notes, this aesthetic is also ripe for exteriors. Apply it to outside entertaining and decor with pieces like these block-printed blue and white shell napkins or these shimmery seaside drinking glasses. You could also hang wave- or scale-inspired stained glass on your porch or a tree branch.

Ambient lighting is always an excellent way to upgrade your outdoor space; it makes guests feel like they’re at a fancy resort! To that end, paper lighting is trending and would fit the bill here — especially in a backyard. In fact, Etsy has seen an 85 percent increase in searches for hanging paper lanterns, a 61 percent increase in searches for rice paper lighting, and a 24 percent increase for paper floor lamps. Hang this oversized pendant light in a tree when friends come over to dine al fresco, or consider a cluster of these Star Folding Lanterns.

“With trend cycles faster than ever, many shoppers are instead embracing the concept of duality and combining several — sometimes seemingly opposite — styles to showcase their personality,” Johnson says. “Whether mixing and matching timeless toile patterns with modern mermaidcore, or combining dark wood tones with carefree Parisian decor, there are so many ways to fuse together trends in unique ways without breaking the bank.” You can use pieces you already have to showcase this trend, and remember — you don’t always need to worry about decorating “rules.” If you love the way your pieces fit together (even if they don’t “match”), you’ll be happy.

Using an outdoor rug on your patio or porch does so much to ground your space and make it feel warm and welcoming by showcasing more of an “inside brought outside” vibe. Rugs with personality are trending for 2023, with a 401 percent increase in searches on Etsy for handwoven rugs, a 62 percent increase in searches for custom rugs, a 55 percent increase in searches for colorful rugs, and a 49 percent increase in searches for wavy rugs. Look for an area rug like this abstract indoor/outdoor rug or something smaller for your doorway, like this scalloped door mat.

“Another trend I’m really loving this summer is ‘living’ room designs,” Johnson says. “Shoppers will be celebrating the warmer months with biophilic styles that celebrate nature, layering in more plants, beautiful planters, botanical designs, and even vibrant zoo motifs and tropical prints in their spaces.” Try updating your outside space by layering in even more plants — maybe even some climbing plants to take up vertical space to make more of a statement.