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13 outdoor upholstery design ideas

As British summers continue to warm, transforming outdoor spaces into comfortable 'outdoor living rooms' is becoming increasingly popular. This trend necessitates a focus on outdoor upholstery to enhance both comfort and aesthetics. While garden furniture is often prioritized, the soft furnishings, such as cushions and fabrics, are crucial for creating inviting and visually appealing outdoor areas. This article presents 13 design ideas for outdoor upholstery, drawing inspiration from various residences and showcasing a range of styles and practical solutions. One approach to outdoor upholstery involves playing with scale and pattern, as seen in a Hamptons house where red-and-white candy stripes are used. Skinny stripes adorn seat cushions, while bold, wide stripes are featured on throw cushions. The candy-stripe theme is further explored in Villa Arniano, the Guinness family's Tuscan farmhouse, where bespoke daybeds incorporate striking stripes, adding a whimsical touch to outdoor furniture designs that mimic indoor pieces. Another example, from a rectory in Sussex, demonstrates a neutral palette for upholstery on cane furniture. This design incorporates subtle blue and white stripes of varying shapes, widths, and sizes against a rustic yet elegant backdrop. Addressing the practical challenge of outdoor fabrics battling the elements, one project in Barnes utilized custom-made outdoor cushions from an innovative fabric supplier. These cushions feature a dry foam that allows them to be left outdoors year-round, eliminating the need for seasonal storage. Historical settings also provide inspiration, such as a loggia at Bowood House in Wiltshire, where woven wicker furniture is adorned with cushions covered in classic Bowood chintz, creating a tranquil summer seating area. In a Sri Lankan house, the outdoor seating area, shielded from the elements, features striped fabric in shades of blue and brown, complementing the balmy surroundings without requiring exceptionally hard-wearing materials. Thea Speake's West London flat showcases simple garden chairs with striped white and lemon-yellow cushions, which evoke the sunny atmosphere of her courtyard garden. Similarly, a terraced garden in Jack Simpson's Chelsea townhouse combines warm-coloured wooden benches with olive-green seat cushions and pistachio and white striped throw cushions, alongside cream-coloured Boscombe dining chairs, to create a perfect lounging and entertaining area. For durability, a high-walled courtyard garden in a Chelsea townhouse features monogrammed metal dining chairs with cushions upholstered in stain-resistant fabric from Zak + Fox, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The outdoor space of Rixo co-founder Orlagh McCloskey's West London house demonstrates a sophisticated, muted, and neutral take on striped upholstery, reflecting the calm simplicity of the interior. A stone house in Provence features an impressive pool house seating area with an L-shaped outdoor sofa upholstered entirely in white, accompanied by plump throw cushions for maximum comfort. In a serene Grecian villa, a built-in seating area with an appealing curvature uses greige linen cushions, complemented by throw cushions in warm colors to evoke the sun-soaked environment. Finally, Nina Campbell's Chelsea house garden features a wrought iron bench and matching chairs with subtly-patterned cushions in a gentle, warm taupe, providing a cohesive color scheme that contrasts pleasantly with the surrounding foliage. These diverse examples illustrate how outdoor upholstery can transform garden spaces into extensions of the home, combining aesthetic appeal with practical considerations for varying climates and design preferences. #OutdoorUpholstery #GardenDesign #ExteriorDecor #SoftFurnishings #OutdoorLiving #CushionDesign #OutdoorFabrics #PatioDecor #HomeGarden #OutdoorUpholstery #GardenDesign #ExteriorDecor #SoftFurnishings #OutdoorLiving #CushionDesign #OutdoorFabrics #PatioDecor #HomeGarden
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