Having an eclectic mix of home furnishings and accessories is all the rage nowadays, so why not give your outdoor patio furniture the same treatment? A unique array of rugs, firepits, coffee tables, dining tables and seating can help you avoid the stale and generic design of brick-and-mortar furniture sets.
It’s also a great way to incorporate older patio furniture into a new collection, or add additional pieces for large gatherings. After all, patio furniture should accommodate the needs of a growing family or group of friends.
Spotting a doorbuster deal at a garage sale or vacating retail location can often feel like a case of missed opportunity if the piece doesn’t exactly match preexisting furniture. But with the right tact and a sharp eye for design balance, you can get almost any style to work in harmony.
Skeptical? Here are some pointers on how to get that quirky look out of your off-kilter collection of patio furniture.
1.) Use color to bridge the gap between furnishings
This is an obvious one, and it’s often the first feature people look for when furniture-hunting. And the reason should be no surprise: Even in the most subdued hues or earth-like tones, color draws attention.
But not everything has to remain uniform and monochromatic. Use the vibrancy of bright colors to your advantage. Accents like sofa cushions and throw pillows can help wicker furniture match neon-colored, aluminum tables.
Three is the magic number for repetition of color. Unmatched pieces will end up looking like abandoned thrift store furniture that somehow made it onto your patio.
2.) Mix and match materials wisely
Once again, you’ll want repetition here. Resin, wood, aluminum, plastic, wicker, and glass can all be grouped together by their corresponding material.
Search for patio furniture that combines at least two different materials, so that you have more options when it comes to arranging. For instance, an aluminum dining table with glass accoutrements will pair nicely with a wooden end table, so long as it has metal legs or a glass tabletop.
3.) Division can bring pieces together
Sounds counterintuitive right? But separating items into two distinct groupings can transform a hodgepodge of mismatched furniture into an outdoor experience that’ll give your guests seating choices.
Natural boundaries, including foliage, boulders, or overhanging trees, can help make the transition between two areas as seamless as possible. And if you lack the greenery to separate the different collections of furniture, a rug or an outdoor fireplace can highlight each area’s unique focal point.
4.) Know which design styles play nicely with each other
Despite prevailing opinion among homeowners, disparate design styles can mesh – so long as they’re in the same ballpark.
The hard edges of a traditional, modernist style will line up with the parallel lines of contemporary minimalism. Likewise, a wooden table from the 1970s may blend right in with the rustic chic of a rocking chair combo.
For a great selection of outdoor furniture, check out our Patio Furniture Portfolio at Out Back Casual Living & Fence in Grand Rapids, MI.
On the porch or the patio, next to the pool or even down a small garden path, let Out Back Living create a comfortable retreat where you and your family can relax and enjoy the beauty all around you. We offer the latest designs in patio furniture, so you can be sure you’re getting something trendy and affordable. For more information, visit our website today.