Todd Sumamno
As we settle into summer and gradually get accustomed to long stretches of sunshine, it seems as apt a time as any for a crash course on styling your outdoor cushions. A quick and easy way to prettify your patio with a charming chorus of color, comfort, texture, and style – outdoor cushions are must-have accessories for the contemporary outdoor space. But how should you go about styling them?
There’s an abundance of cushion design options out there today, and choosing just a few for your outdoor arrangement can soon start to feel like labor rather than leisure. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Settling on a general style structure for your outdoor space will go a long way in making the decorating process feel easier and more enjoyable.
But before we move on to style ideas for your garden sanctuary, let’s begin with a general breakdown of what outdoor cushions are all about and why you need them for your outdoor space.
What is an outdoor cushion?
Outdoor cushions are durable, weather-resistant cushions that are designed to live in open-air spaces. They’re generally made from hard-wearing synthetic fabrics like polyester, making them highly resilient against harsh weather conditions and the general roughness of busier spaces like the family home.
Resistant to both water and UV rays, outdoor cushions can be used in gardens of all climes and temperatures without causing worry over water damage, mold, or fading from the sun. Forget the days of fretting over your furnishings being left out overnight – with outdoor cushions, it’s not a problem, and they’ll look just as fresh the following day.
How to style outdoor cushions
There are endless different colors, patterns, and designs of outdoor cushions you can bring to your space, and in many cases, that’s precisely the problem. Settling on a single style can be difficult, but making the right choice will save you a lot of stress in the long run.
To save you from the headache, we’ve decided to break down some of our very favorite garden styles below. Each offers an easy-to-follow template for recreating the style in your own garden, patio, or courtyard – making the process of selecting your outdoor cushions a whole lot easier.
Heavenly hideaway
If you want your garden space to feel like a heavenly hideaway, you’ll need to focus all your efforts on creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity. This style is for the less-is-more minimalists who value their peace and would rather introduce a few impactful accents than overload their space with color and pattern.
Think plain outdoor cushions in soothing neutral shades; or gentle floral motifs in earthy tones of yellow, brown, and green. Keep comfort and coziness to the fore of your mind when decorating your outdoor hideaway, but avoid overcrowding with too many accessories. A handful of cushions is all you’ll need, keeping your space clean and pared-back while still feeling inviting.
Saturated + summery
On the extreme opposite end of the style spectrum, there’s always the option of going for a sunshine spread of saturated brights. Bold, maximalist, and full of summery life – this look is for the sun-loving socialites who want to make their garden a hub of Mediterranean villa vibes.
Go with plenty of outdoor cushions in vivid summer shades, from fuchsia pink to bright, zesty orange. Vibrant statement prints work great with this style, and you shouldn’t shy away from a bold mix of colors and patterns either – the more eye-catching, the better.
Festival fantasy
If you’d prefer a more middle-ground look that strikes a balance between maximalism and minimalism, a festival-inspired boho look is always a good call. Think cozy campfire scenes, canvas tents pitched in majestic meadows, and dazzling palettes that are firmly grounded in nature.
While this style is packed with life and energy, you should avoid highly saturated hues when choosing your boho cushions. The boho look is based on natural earth shades that feel more warming than wild, so stick mainly with soft tones of brown, cream, green, and burnt orange.
Cushions with tufted designs, playful tassels, and wooly finishes will bring buckets of texture while balancing out the tamer palette beautifully.
Tropical paradise
The thought of transforming your garden into an exotic oasis appeals to just about everyone. Tropical outdoor cushions offer the easiest way of getting there. While the weather might not end up matching expectations, your decor will more than make up for it by shining like the brightest jungle vista.
Strikingly bright hues, fierce animal designs, and leafy foliage prints are just some of the hallmarks to look out for when choosing outdoor cushions for a tropical design. A knitted throw in a muted earthy shade will bring a breezier touch while providing something warm to snuggle up in after the sun goes down.
Wonderfully wild
Calling all wilderness wanderers, blackberry pickers, and fully-devoted friends of the bumblebee – we think we’ve found the garden style for you. Somewhere in between traditional, English country and bohemian garden designs – we’re not quite sure what to call it, but it’s certainly wonderfully wild.
Like a tropical garden, this style takes heavy inspiration from nature but is more concerned with the homegrown beauty of English heritage designs rather than looking overseas. Think nature-inspired prints of country florals and local fauna, from foxgloves and lilies to buzzing bumblebees.
Final Thoughts
In closing, outdoor cushions make for the perfect addition to any outdoor space, and in particular patio seating. Outdoor cushions are both durable and versatile in style, meaning they’re perfect for patio styling – and able to suit a plethora of tastes. No patio is complete without a set of curated outdoor cushions.
Author bio:
Isobel is a style expert at furn.com, and works alongside the brand’s product teams to bring trend-led home furnishings to life. When Isobel isn’t in the office, you can find her reading novels and shopping for the latest trends.
Brittany
