Backyard Design: How to Use Fun Interior Design Trends Outside

With so many fun interior designs trending and only so much space, it only makes sense that we start to see indoor trends spill outside. Many people are taking their backyards to the next level by trying interior design trends outside.

From dopamine decor to dark academia, and more, we’ll show you how you can effectively create a stunning, luxury outdoor space that stands out and feels like home.

Trend: Dopamine Decor

bright and colorful dining room with yellow cabinet, orange and blue wall, and colorfully patterned chairs.

Photo source: Polina Kuzovkova on Pexels

Dopamine decor is a trending interior design style that centers around anything that sparks joy and boosts your mood. This popular style uses bold colors and playful patterns, often contrasting.

Applied in an exterior setting in your backyard or other outdoor space, dopamine decor is the perfect addition. Some of our favorite designs include:

Unique textures or colors on tiles and stone
Brightly colored pergolas and plants
Metallic accents that shine brightly under the sun
Untraditional pool liner colors that bring joy
Colorful curtains, cushions, and planters

Once your outdoor living space, kitchen, or swimming pool build is complete, adding final touches of dopamine decor can transform your backyard into a happy, playful environment that you love spending time in throughout the year. There are no rules that say you have to stick to austere and modern designs if it doesn’t fit your style.

an aerial shot of an in-ground pool. nearby are several bright blue chairs and a vivid red table.

The bright pops of color in this client’s backyard pop against brightly-colored paver tiles. It brings an arresting stop of color to the space without feeling overwhelming. The unique marbled texture of the pavers immediately surrounding the pool add more unique flair.

Trend: Dark Academia

interior of a home study in dark academia style: moody, dark wallpaper, dark wooden furniture, classic decor.

Photo source: Abdel Rahman Abu Baker via Pexels

Dark academia is a moody, classic style that started as interior design but can easily be transferred to your outdoor space. To successfully accomplish this look in your backyard, we recommend using:

Dark wood for furniture, gazebos, pavilions, and pergolas
Cozy, secluded spaces in your backyard with comfy chairs and mood lighting
Classical sculptural elements
Planting ivy and creeping vines along pergolas and other buildings
Fire features for a natural glow, soft lighting, and a vintage appearance

a black pergola over an outdoor living room with gray furniture and gray hardscaping.

The deep grays, muted blacks, and slate grays in this client’s backyard echo those found in the dark academia trend. The string of lights in the pergola are also reminiscent of reading by candlelight.

Trend: Zen Minimalism

a zen minimalist living room. sparse colors and decor. the few pieces of furniture have a natural wood finish. Plants serve as decor.

Photo source: Polina Kuzovkova via Unsplash

Zen minimalism is rooted in tranquility, balance, and a deep connection to nature. This spa-like, ultra-luxurious look combines natural colors and organic materials with elegant landscaping and hardscaping in a stunning, sophisticated way. Here’s how to accomplish this with outdoor design:

Incorporate natural wooden decks, stone paths, and gravel gardens
Add water features like a stream, fountain, or pond to create a relaxing space
Stick to calm, earthy tones and textures that match with nature rather than compete
Use high-quality materials like travertine stone, polished concrete, and rich wood
Plant manicured hedges, raised garden beds, and soothing landscaping

modern circular chairs on a deck

The round chairs echo round shapes found throughout the nearby paver pathways, and blend with the natural wooden elements of the deck area. When the setting light hits the area, it creates a tranquil atmosphere.

Trend: Cottagecore

a cottagecore kitchen: farm-style wallpaper, cozy lighting, and warm wooden countertops.

Photo source: Ron Lach via Pexels

Cottagecore offers a romantic’s dream backyard space. This lush, whimsical landscape centers around beautiful landscaping and backyard architecture that blends seamlessly with the dream-like designs. To achieve a light, ethereal look in your backyard space, we recommend:

Creating lush garden spaces with multiple flowers
Rustic decor, wooden decks, and cute accents like birdhouses and vintage furniture
Winding stone paver paths and loose gravel paths
String lights, lanterns, and other cozy lighting for enchanted evenings
Vintage and thrifted decor

two white wicker hanging chairs around a fire pit

a flower garden in a backyard. lush, blooming pink flowers surrounding a path with a nearby pizza oven.

The two hanging chairs in this backyard area a whimsical charm, along with the unique vintage storage baskets underneath the TV. In the second photo, we see a charming flower garden that embodies the cottagecore aesthetic.

Trend: Maximalism

a colorful maximalist living room. a bright blue couch with colorful pillows with a lounging dog. Behind is an eclectic gallery wall.

Photo source: Steph Wilson on Pexels

While minimalism focuses on the “less is more” motto, maximalism runs headfirst into the “more is more” approach. When done well, this eclectic interior design can be used for your outdoor space. With a combination of textures, colors, and patterns, you can add depth and character to your backyard. Here’s how to do it with a luxurious, elevated look:

Choose a palette of 3 or 4 bold colors to stick with — it doesn’t have to match
Use different shapes and textures: like paver stones in one area and a wooden deck in another
Play with colorful tiles, bricks, and mosaics in both hardscaping and decor pieces
Mix and match landscaping with a variety of color and shapes
Add eye-catching water features and fire features

a pergola with a dripping waterfall into an inground pool

At first glance this backyard doesn’t feel maximialist, but we can see the influences when we look closer: a constantly-moving water feature, contrasting pavers in different sizes, a sleek pergola next to a classic wooden fence. The whole area is a contrast of textures and colors, but it feels cohesive, not busy.

How to Combine Interior Design Trends for Your Backyard

With all these fun interior design trends for outside, the sky’s the limit for what you can create with your Minnesota space. There are some incredible ideas you can incorporate from each trend to create a cohesive, elevated look in your backyard. Many homeowners lean into a single trend while others choose their favorite pieces and run with it.

If you want to create your dream backyard space using some of these fun interior turned exterior trends, our team at Outdoor Innovations can help you bring your ideas to life.

Need more inspiration?

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Outdoor Innovations Landscaping creates elevated backyards for homeowners in Minnesota. From in-ground pools to luxurious grilling stations to outdoor living rooms, we do it all. Explore our past projects and get a quote online to make your dream backyard a reality.