Hot Trends in Patio Furniture Fabrics & Frames
Get a sneak peek at the latest surprises
For decades, patio furniture didn't change much. You had a cast iron chair that left a pattern on your patootie. The aluminum chair with sticky plastic bands that left creases on your caboose. Or the scratchy woven chair that barely made it home before it bent. Those were the days. Today's outdoor furniture is as different as summer from winter. This year's designs are so stylish your indoor furniture will be jealous. New fabrics are soft as cotton, yet strong enough to last seemingly forever.
The end of scratchy fabrics
Cheer this: new technology means softer, dryer fabrics for your patio furniture. No more scratchy nylon webbing. We just rubbed up against some samples of the latest outdoor fabric from phifertex® geobella. It's as soft as cotton and it breathes just as well. But it resists fading and doesn't hold moisture, which means it won't mildew. In fact, the only maintenance required of geobella is to hose it off when it gets dusty. It dries in minutes. Amazingly, this new fabric is made from recycled plastics, and it's recyclable too, so it loves the Earth as much as the weather.
Perfect for outdoor deck furniture, we're seeing geobella used to soften outdoor pillows and cushy bolsters too. It's an exciting addition to the modern high-tech fabrics recently introduced, including Sunbrella, Solefin and O'Bravia. These outdoor-friendly materials add cushy luxury to your deck or patio.
 Patan All-Weather Wicker Nesting Bistro Set |
 Patan All-Weather Wicker Dining Set |
 Patan All-Weather Wicker Stacking Bistro Set |
 Cabos Collection Patio Dining Set |
 Cabos Collection Square Patio Dining Set |
 Cabos Collection Extension Patio Dining Set |
 Cabos Collection Deep Seating Lounge Patio Set |
 Cabos Collection Outdoor Sectional |
Because they're stronger fabrics, the threads can be finer, and that opens up possibilities for designers. You'll still see the bright reds, yellows, greens and other beach brights, but the latest trends are shifting to complicated weaves with more regal, muted earth tones. Watch for understated combinations like tone-on-tone monochrome layers, and subtler mixes like gold over black, silver with gray, and ochre on taupe. Even the longed-for purples and eggplant are making their patio furniture debut. Imagine the rich colors of antique furniture, something not possible in outdoor furniture until now.
Loom designs take a look over their shoulder to the past. Hounds tooth and herringbone patterns look smart as a fine suit. Florals, paisleys, polka dots and art deco geometrics all make an appearance in this design revolution. Your patio transforms from neon bright to subtly welcoming, confidently casual. It's an elegant, surprising trend in outdoor furniture that left us saying, "You sure it's okay to leave this outside?"
 Outback Co. Westport All Weather Wicker Conversation Set |
 Outback Co. Asahi Ebony All Weather Wicker Dining Chat Set |
 Outback Co. Asahi Stone All Weather Wicker Dining Chat Set |
 Hudson All-Weather Wicker 3 Piece Sofa Set |
 Winston Volterra Patio Dining Set |
 Salona Patio Dining Set by Joe Ruggiero |
Retro fabrics, futuristic frames
Outdoor chairs contribute to the new look with sleeker, simpler angles and surprising structures. We're seeing lots of big, cushy couches, extra-roomy patio chairs and outdoor daybeds with integrated canopies that save your skin from the sun without having to hide in the shade. Retro fabrics are a fab contrast to the futuristic chair shapes, with minimalist circles and egg-shaped chair backs. Your friends will think you stole your patio set from the Museum of Modern Art.
Old school wicker gets a modern makeover too. Resin wicker patio furniture is made from polyresins, so it's stronger yet softer than brittle natural wicker. No more pinching, poking and splinters. It doesn't fade, crack or split, even when you leave it out year round (yes, you can!). To clean it, just hose it off. The time you save on maintenance you can spend with a good book.
Another new trend: modularity. Much of the new outdoor patio furniture fits together in creative ways to save room and look great when not in use. Chairs stack. Stools push in under the table. Sets nest together to form unique, whimsical shapes that are as artful as they are creative. On a practical slant, leveling legs eliminate the wobble caused by uneven surfaces. Seems obvious now, huh?
 Rendezvous All-Weather Wicker Sectional Chaise Lounge |
 Escapade All-Weather Wicker Sectional Chaise Lounge |
 Madrid All Weather Wicker Oversized Sectional Lounger |
 Palazetto Milan Collection Cast Aluminum Patio Dining Set |
 Manhattan All Weather Wicker Sofa Set |
 Vantage All-Weather Wicker Dining Set |
Tables get stoned, slated, marbled
Patio table tops bring their own rich earth tones, using real or faux stone tops in slate, bronze and coal, including geometric tile mosaics with a sturdy look of permanence. Most include an umbrella hole which both stabilizes your outdoor umbrella and welcomes it in as an integral part of the set.
 Palazetto Barcelona Mosaic Patio Dining Set |
 Palazetto Barcelona Round Mosaic Patio Dining Set |
 Palazetto Lucca Mosaic Dining Set |
 Palazetto Lucca Round Mosaic Patio Dining Set |
 Palazetto Napoli Mosaic Dining Set |
 Palazetto Napoli Round Mosaic Dining Set |
Umbrellas protect your overhead
You'll find complementary colors and fabrics in our huge line of umbrellas too. Patio designers aren't matching fabrics exactly, rather taking advantage of the subtle monochrome theme and choosing an outdoor umbrella with similar colors but contrasting patterns to add depth and character to your patio. The trend toward larger market umbrellas is welcomed, as they provide that missing shade you need when the sun is angled lower at brunch and happy hour. Tilt umbrellas let you chase the sun while providing a rakish angle to liven up the otherwise symmetrical deck. Browse the photos on this site for inspiration.
Outdoor living areas are expanding beyond tables and chairs. Luxuries like outdoor patio storage boxes, fire pits and weather-loving rugs help melt away a tense day. Modern, silent patio heaters extend your season and let the party last into the cool night. While it's dark out, you'll appreciate that the newest outdoor lighting uses high-efficiency LEDs to provide intriguing, changeable colors while using a tiny fraction of the electricity needed just a few years ago. The future is bright.
 4-Foot Hyde Park Wood Outdoor Storage Bench |
 Double Diamond Mosaic 45-Inch Copper Enamel Fire Pit |
 Couristan Recife Veranda Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug |
 Tonga Outdoor Patio Floor Lamp |
Trends of tomorrow available today
The best news of all is that tomorrow's innovative designs are arriving now. Browse PatioFurnitureUSA.com to be on the leading edge of these trends, transforming your outdoor patio into a rich, peaceful oasis. Explore, discover, get inspired. You'll be as excited as we are about the latest trends in eco friendly outdoor patio furniture!
