6 Outdoor Trends to Transform Your Alfresco Area: Summer Edition

As summer draws near, it’s the ideal moment to reimagine your alfresco spaces, turning them into stylish retreats for both entertaining and relaxing.

Outdoor living has evolved—no longer an afterthought, it’s now a canvas for creativity and an extension of your interior spaces, where design themes and thoughtfully chosen furniture can create an alfresco area that’s uniquely yours.

Here are six outdoor trends and collections that will elevate your space all summer long.

Set a laid-back theme: Relaxed Traditional

Extending Carlisle Homes’ Relaxed Traditional interior theme to the alfresco space creates a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living. This classic-meets-modern style incorporates plaid patterns, rich timber, and rugged concrete for a homely yet refined aesthetic.

Outdoors, this theme takes form with retro rattan furniture, timber-accented furniture, and soft lighting. Perfect for busy families and elegant gatherings alike, a Relaxed Traditional alfresco area offers timeless charm and versatility, particularly when paired with the extended alfresco area of the Illawarra Grand Deluxe 45.

Unwinding in style: Outdoor sofas and armchairs

The available designs for outdoor sofas and armchairs are redefining alfresco living, seamlessly blending indoor comfort with outdoor charm. Ready for summer evenings spent with friends or quiet moments unwinding with a good book, these pieces make outdoor spaces as relaxing as their indoor counterparts.

Australian brands like King Living and Ellison Studios both offer noteworthy options. For example, King Living’s 1977 Outdoor Sofa, with its retro seventies-inspired curves and high-performance removable covers, delivers both flexibility and durability, making it a standout for modern outdoor settings.

Meanwhile, Ellison Studios’ outdoor collection brings timeless sophistication to courtyards and terraces, with signature pieces like the Muse Sofa and Alva Armchair offering the ultimate in relaxed yet refined summer lounging.

Gather around: Tables and chairs

Just as the indoor dining table is the heart of the home, outdoor tables and chairs create a vibrant hub where summer comes alive. Think sizzling barbecues, festive Christmas lunches, or long, breezy evenings with friends over chilled drinks.

HAY’s Palissade Series strikes the optimum balance between durability and minimalist sophistication. Featuring the Palissade Table and Armchair, this collection integrates seamlessly into alfresco decks and lush gardens. Available in versatile hues like olive, sky grey, and iron red, it complements Carlisle Homes’ diverse design styles.

For a bolder statement, the Piper Collection by DesignByThem offers a playful mix of form and function. With its sculptural Piper Chair and versatile Piper Pedestal Table, this range is designed to handle the elements while delivering undeniable comfort and charm.

Resort-style living: Luxe Noir

For those who love opulence, Carlisle Homes’ Luxe Noir interior theme inspires alfresco spaces with a five-star feel. Dark contrasting tones, sleek stone surfaces, and bold lighting transition effortlessly outdoors.

The ample alfresco space of the Rothfield Grand Deluxe Theatre Atrium 54 allows for oversized furniture pieces set against a crisp white-grey backdrop, creating an open, sophisticated vibe primed for entertaining. Layer in marble accents and refined textures to craft an outdoor oasis that rivals any high-end indoor space. Luxe Noir proves that alfresco living can be just as glamorous as indoor entertaining.

Poolside bliss: Summer days elevated

Summer and poolside relaxation go hand in hand, and the right furniture can transform any pool area into a resort-style retreat, embodying the essence of the laid-back Australian summer.

The Saltbush Collection by Country Road x Tait exemplifies this perfectly. This Melbourne-made collaboration draws inspiration from 1970s nostalgia and poolside elegance, featuring a Lounger, Occasional Table, and Side Table designed to elevate poolside moments.

Tait, synonymous with Australia’s outdoor lifestyle, continues to impress with its enduringly stylish and functional designs. The iconic Trace Sunlounge stands out, offering plush upholstery and a stainless steel mesh backrest. Adjustable for comfort, it easily transitions into a daybed for those blissfully lazy afternoons by the water.

Delightful details: Sunny sidekicks

The magic of outdoor living lies in the details—those finishing touches that transform an alfresco space from simple to sensational. Thoughtfully chosen accessories and smaller furniture pieces can bring personality, charm, and a sense of fun to every corner of your outdoor area.

Fenton & Fenton’s vibrant designs, like the Sunnyside Side Table or Sundowner Bar Cart, make for perfect sunny sidekicks, whether it’s for a breezy summer brunch or an evening of poolside aperitivo.

Meanwhile, Poolside Store channels retro vibes with its classic pool rings and chic California Umbrellas, combining practicality with a playful, nostalgic twist. Together, these accents create a space that’s not just functional but brimming with the carefree joy of an endless summer.