These 10 Trends Will Define Outdoor Design in 2023

Outdoor spaces are where we come together with friends and family, immerse ourselves in nature, and escape the everyday—so the design of your garden is just as important as your indoor living spaces. This year, design trends for outdoor spaces are taking cues from interiors, with bold graphic elements, Art Deco flair, and maximalism in the spotlight.

To discover more about the trends that will define our outdoor spaces this year, we spoke with the team at Techo-Bloc, a leader in creative pavers and slabs. "The outdoor industry has just exploded in the last few years and once you’ve tasted having an outdoor space that’s enjoyable, it’s really hard to go back," says Jessica Ciccarello, Director of Branding and Communications at Techo-Bloc. "Outdoor spaces have gained in popularity and importance for homeowners, and it’s become a more important requirement for many home buyers."

To help you take your garden from ordinary to inspiring, here are 10 of the hottest design trends that will be defining outdoor spaces this year.

Fade-to-Fabulous

Ombre has been a trend in interiors for some time—and now it’s migrating to outdoor spaces. Graduating shades of the same hue create elegant impact and visual interest, whether you choose cooler tones of gray and charcoal, or warmer browns and reds. "We’ve been seeing gradients being used in area rugs for a few years but now we’re seeing it in outdoor pavements," says Ciccarello.

Flower Power

Maximalism is a trend well-suited to the open expanses of outdoor spaces—think intricate patterns, textured floral designs, and graphic layouts that make an impactful statement even in the smallest of gardens. Techo-Bloc’s new Flora tiles bring a touch of contemporary European elegance to the outdoors, with bold floral patterns textured into a durable concrete surface. Add colorful furnishings and lush plants for a tropical vibe, or go tone-on-tone for a more subtle effect.

Lead With Maximalism

In recent years, pared-back minimalist design has dominated design trends—but maximalism is making a comeback. "If we look at history, maximalist aesthetics and trends have been very much related to periods of celebration," explains Ciccarello. "Turning the page on the pandemic, people are ready to see new things, to live life to the fullest, to take chances. It’s no surprise that maximalism’s philosophy of indulgence, boldness and somewhat fearlessness are striking a chord with many of us."