Top 6 Outdoor Trends Tipped to Sizzle in Summer 2024.
29th March 2024
As spring starts to bloom and the allure of spending time outdoors on a sunny afternoon fills our thoughts, we are exploring the top trends tipped to feature in outdoor spaces this summer.
1. Natural Materials
Biophillic design is a fantastic way to feel closer to nature and give us a sense of comfort and security. Timber is a timeless choice for any outdoor space, a low-maintenance material that can withstand all weather conditions and overtime, if left, will take on a beautiful natural silver patina. Looking to maintain the natural colour of your timber? Consider finishing with one of our MillCoat Factory Coatings for improved UV protection.
2. Conscious Purchasing
Sustainability remains at the forefront of conversation for 2024, expect to see eco-friendly choices especially when considering outdoor furniture purchases. FSC and PEFC timber can be used to create bespoke and versatile areas with consumers placing more importance on high-quality pieces rather than throwaway trends. Millworks adhere to environmental standards that ensure only certified timber is sourced and supplied such as with our Fencing & Decking products which are manufactured from sustainable forests.
3. Mixed Textures & Earthy Tones
Adding texture and structure to your design through screens, fencing and decking gives an organic feel with depth and tactile interest. Surface textures such as Millworks Brushed timber makes the natural grain pattern more prominent and gives contrast when layered with other materials. Introducing muted, neutral tones of brown, beige and terracotta allows coherent tranquillity throughout your space and provides a wonderfully versatile backdrop for statement pieces and planting schemes. Take a look at our 2023 Chelsea Flower Show collaboration which features contrasting planting with our Mokuzai ‘Charred’ Thermowood.
Thermowood Timber Fencing| Mokuzai ‘Charred’ Charcoal Black
Siberian Larch Timber Cladding | Burned, Brushed and Factory Coated
4. Social Seating
The resurgence of large get-togethers has been long awaited and welcomed back with open arms. As more people use their outdoor space to connect with loved ones, outdoor seating solutions will become more relaxed and multifunctional for groups of varying size. Species such as Millworks Western Red Cedar are naturally durable and have a low density meaning you can create lightweight designs that can be installed and moved with ease. Consider the addition of a cosy fire pit allowing gatherings to continue long into the evening.
5. Multifunctional Outdoor Kitchens
By blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors we can extend our living space to enjoy more of our property. This in turn helps us to feel more connected to nature and promotes an active and more social lifestyle. There is now a huge range of outdoor cooking gadgets in addition to the humble BBQ. Creating a space that gives you the opportunity to entertain, cook and dine allows culinary freedom without the need to return to the house. The creation of outdoor ‘rooms’ complete with soft furnishings means you can transition between dining and lounging with ease. To learn how you can elevate simple structures like this one, explore our BBQ Kitchen case study featuring Siberian Larch Cladding.
6. Alfresco Relaxation
Health and Wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with outdoor living and will continue to be a key theme throughout 2024. Outdoor Saunas, Plunge pools, Hot Tubs and Open-air baths are seeing a huge rise in demand with many enjoying the freedom to embrace all seasons outdoors. Due to the thermal modification process Millworks Thermowood is incredibly dimensionally stable and resists warping even at high temperatures. This makes it a safe and suitable choice for a range of indoor applications including saunas. In addition to our standard range of profiles Millworks offers bespoke solutions for plans of all shapes and sizes, with past projects including circular hot tubs and outdoor baths.
Whether sprucing up your existing garden or undertaking a complete remodelling project, Millworks landscaping products are created to stand the test of time. Take a look at our previous Timber Tattle blog “Using Timber to Enhance your Outdoor Space” to explore how to use Timber in your design.
