Capturing seaside bliss

Coast lovers are always looking for an excuse to pack their bags and head to the beach, but with today’s busy schedules, finding time to get away more than a week or two out of the year isn’t always easy.

But with the right decor, accessories, color schemes and serveware, seaside retailers can help beach enthusiasts turn their outdoor spaces into tropical escapes that will keep the beach close to home even if they are physically far away.

“When we have inviting, comfortable outdoor spaces, it’s only natural that we gravitate to them,” says Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance and executive director of its outdoor division, ICFA. “There are so many furnishings and accessories — for all budgets and space sizes — to inspire people to step outside and enjoy their surroundings.”

And in 2025, trends in outdoor living spaces are breezier and more comfortable than ever.

1. Zen Zones. Incorporating wellness aspects into outdoor spaces is trending. Colleen Hall, senior vice president of marketing, C&F Enterprises, says, “Back decks and patios are becoming a tranquil place to sit and relax, meditate or do yoga or another workout. Products that enhance the wellness aspect of a space through comfort and color reflective of that personal wellness activity are key for 2025.”

   
   

   She suggests paring soft blues and comfortable fabrics with wind chimes or fountains for a zen zone.

   
   

2. Comfort Colors. As Pantone noted in its announcement of the 2025 Color of the Year, “There is a growing movement to align ourselves more closely with the natural world. Characterized by its organic nature, Mocha Mousse honors and embraces the sustenance of our physical environment.”

   
   

   This trend is also finding its way into outdoor products. Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute says the color, “extends further into our desire for comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures.”

   
   

3. Shifting values. “Customers are seeking quality and unique products more and more,” according to Valiko Ergemlidze, co-owner and vice president of Zaer Ltd. International. “In today’s world, it is best to stand out with something unique and well made, something that a customer can’t find from 100 different sellers.”
   

   
   

   
   More than a trend, Hall says she has noticed a shift in values overall with customers requesting sustainable outdoor products.She explains, “Sustainability goes beyond just using recycled materials, but also looking at reducing waste and environmental impact in the creation of those products as well as extending the life of the products.”

   
   

4. Beyond barbecues. Outdoor dining and the build out of outdoor kitchens is continuing to grow. What was once an area to grill has turned into place to bake brick oven pizzas, or even prepare a full four-course meal.

   
   

   “Tabletop dining products are an important part of the outdoor dining experience from table linens to modern melamine or bamboo dishware,” says Hall.

   
   

   Mud Pie’s new collection of acrylic and rattan serving pieces, featuring a wide variety of serveware such as ice buckets, charcuterie boards, and deviled egg trays, are on trend.

   
   

5. iconic accessories. The motifs that adorn outdoor and patio accessories enhance the coastal vibe. Shore birds, tropical fish, sea turtles, sailboats, mermaids and tiki are all in demand and appear on stepping stones, birdhouses, wind chimes, statuary, garden flags, serveware and candles.

   
   

   Nic Gatewood, buyer/sales manager for Chesapeake Bay Ltd./ JD Yeatts & Son says tiki items are always great for spring/summer as everyone is ready to spend as much time outside, and the tiki theme always brings fun to mind.

   
   

   He adds that outdoor statuary has always been very popular, “offering a classic coastal feel to any garden or the pool. They also look great on the retail sales floor and get plenty of customers talking.”