As the year comes to an end and Brisbane’s warm weather sets in, we’re thinking of our outdoor spaces and how to breathe new life into them in 2023.

Looking for inspiration? We’ve collected next year’s most fantastic exterior design trends to get you started…

Global inspiration

One of 2023’s top trends for interior design, global-influenced décor is also making an appearance in our outdoor living spaces next year. Driven by our desire to explore the world once again, this popular trend invites you to take particular design elements from your favourite international destinations and apply them to your abode.

Create the ultimate relaxation space with Moroccan-style pouffes and outdoor rugs, channel the luxe beach clubs of Mykonos with arched timber doorways and limewashed walls, or transform your poolside pavilion into an Amalfi Coast paradise with plush yellow-and-white-striped loungers and fringed umbrellas. The world is your oyster!

Bold and bright outdoor furniture

Traditionally, vibrantly-coloured furniture has been mainly featured indoors. In 2023, we’re seeking out bolder pieces that give outdoor spaces personality. Swap out brown and white-hued furnishings for a dusty pink lounge chair or a sky blue al fresco dining set. Fiery terracotta tones are ideal for Italian and Mexican-inspired aesthetics, while on-trend lavender and soft green can look cool and calming.

Focus on wellness and relaxation

What could be more lovely than unwinding poolside with a refreshing drink, or reclining by a crackling firepit with a cherished book? Allowing us to escape from the fast-paced world and enjoy a little mindfulness, creating spaces that promote relaxation are on the rise in 2023.

Think modern Zen gardens, conversational firepits, tranquil spas and even outdoor saunas. Lush landscapes that showcase breeze-catching plants and shady canopies are another favourite for the coming year, promising to make you feel as if you’ve retreated to an exclusive sanctuary.

‘New Victorian’ gardens

Perfect for character homes and heritage residences, ‘New Victorian’ gardens are an elevated version of the traditional cottage garden. More orderly and purposefully designed than the latter, this trend celebrates the romance of yesteryear. Key details include ‘crazy pave’ pathways, manicured hedges, cascading trellises and picket fences. For your plants, source time-honoured options such as hydrangeas, roses, hollyhocks and lilacs.

Patterned tiling

Much like with the ‘coloured furniture’ trend, using patterned tiles in al fresco spaces is an excellent way of showing personality and giving an outdoor space character. Exuding classic elegance, tiles with subtle checkerboard motifs can look both timeless and contemporary.

Moroccan-style mosaics and tessellated patterns are catching the attention of designers, as are terrazzo options with colourful accents. Go big and tile a large patio with an eye-catching design or zone a smaller ‘nook’ for incredible results.

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