Trends - Our Outdoor Living Wish List for 2012

Since starting HomeInfatuation.com the outdoor living industry has evolved so fast year to year that the inside joke has been that if we wish it a manufacturer will make it. So needless to say we are big fans of the wish list.  Before heading to the Casual Living Show and starting the new buying season we have a well developed list of wishes.  For 2012 here is our list of outdoor living wishes for HomeInfatuation.com.

Outdoor Lighting
Although the industry continues to bring more and more outdoor lighting to the marketplace, I think that outdoor lighting will forever be on our wish list.  There will never be enough styles or configurations for us.  Again this year, we will be looking for outdoor lighting at the show.

Lotta Agaton

Hamptons Cottages & Gardens

Inner Gardens

Harpur Garden Images

Colorful and Graphic Outdoor Pillows
For us, outdoor pillows are in the same category as outdoor lighting - more selection please. The industry continues to bring pillows to the marketplace but each year we crave more colors and more patterns.

Ara Design Studio

Catherine Huckerby

Material Girls

Funky Planters
Our taste in planters has changed over the years.  When we first started buying planters for HomeInfatuation.com we were looking for solid classics but over the last year we've had a wandering eye.  Now we are seeking planters with unsual shapes and materials.

Source Unknown

Inner Gardens

Unusual Artificial Foliage
As a general rule, I am not a fan of artificial foliage however Mike has recently found some manufacturers who are bringing top quality artificials to the market and my interest has been piqued.  Now, I'm really enamored with the idea of adding unusual shapes and colors to an outdoor space.  We like the idea of a slightly surreal effect - a look that you can't always get with real foliage.

Deborah Silver and Co.

Decor Pad

Outdoor Artwork
Outdoor artwork is another one of those items that we lump in the "not enough" category along with outdoor lighting and pillows. We're forever hopeful and will continue to search for it.

Full House

Decor Pad

Ottomans and Floor Cushions
I love to use ottomans in my design plans because they are such a flexible furnishing.  You can push them together and make a coffee table or daybed out of them or they make great extra seating or side tables.  What we want is to build a large selection of shapes, heights and styles of ottomans to choose from.

A new outdoor furnishing idea that we are very interested in finding a good source for is the large floor cushion.  Lower and more informal than traditional furnishings they are ottoman-like and could pinch hit as an ottoman but squishier and more comfortable than an ottoman for lounging but not as informal as a bean bag.  We like the design opportunities that this furnishing opens up so we are on the hunt.

Decor Pad

Decor Pad