The growing demand for outdoor spaces that live like interiors
By Rachel Fasciani
Outdoor design is no longer defined by durability, wicker and umbrellas—it’s being reimagined through a decorative, interior-driven lens. At recent markets, that shift was unmistakable: outdoor wall décor at Palecek, indoor-outdoor sculpture at Uttermost, Arteriors’ elevated planters, and the near-ubiquity of cordless lighting. Together, they signal a category expanding vertically, as designers and consumers bring the same level of comfort, styling, and intention to outdoor spaces as they do indoors.
In New Jersey, Cury Design Studio is leaning into that evolution. The firm recently opened a concept shop in Ocean City focused on educating clients about investing in higher-quality outdoor furnishings. Samantha Cury, principal, shared, “Our outdoor showroom is about educating our clients not to be so afraid to spend money on the exterior – to make it as beautiful as your interior.” Beyond aesthetics, the shift is also strategic. Cury noted the opportunity to increase profitability, “I think part of that, as a business owner, is making sure that we weren’t missing the mark on the profitability because we were focusing on the interior so heavily.”
In Atlanta, Micaela Quinton, principal of Copper Sky Design + Remodel, is seeing the same demand from clients. “Homeowners want an indoor-meets-outdoor type of space,” she said. “They want to feel comfortable and cozy while also being able to connect to the sights, sounds, and feelings of nature.” Her screened-in porch project reflects that balance, utilizing pieces such as a tufted sofa, flatweave traditional rug, and thoughtful touches like the drinks table. Quinton further noted, “Incorporating the comforts of the indoors is key. Comfortable seating, an integrated TV, a ceiling fan to help air movement, and thoughtful lighting all combine to create a space that functions like a living room.”
Charlotte-based principal designer Gray Walker of Gray Walker Interiors concurred and expanded, “Outdoor living is as important as indoor living. Enjoying your home on the exterior reached new levels during COVID, and it’s a design trend that has grown each year since.” She points to product innovation as a driving force behind the evolution, “Outdoor furniture and textiles allow me to create the most beautiful spaces for my clients that they truly feel as comfortable and elegant as the interior, ” Walker said. “Perfect lamp lighting on the most comfortable reading chair is possible and will be the most popular seat in the house!”
The shift extends beyond residential design. At Tennessee-based luxury hotel Blackberry Farm, outdoor spaces are treated with the same level of consideration as interiors.. “Treat the porch like any other room, not an afterthought,” said Christine Carney, director of design. “Layer in interior elements, like elevated lighting, textiles, and art, and suddenly the outdoors feels just as considered as the interior. The outdoor space becomes a true extension of the home.”
Taken together, these projects point to a broader shift in how interior designers approach space itself. Outdoor design is no longer a separate category—it’s an extension of the same principles, processes, and priorities that define interiors. As materials evolve and expectations rise, designers are rethinking boundaries altogether, applying a fully holistic lens to how—and where—we live.
Cover Photo Design: Liz Williams Interiors Photography: Emily Followill
