Future trends in outdoor living
By Stuart Dantzic, managing director, Caribbean Blinds.
When Caribbean Blinds first started trading in the late 1980s, the UK approach to creating an outdoor space was a couple of chairs hastily dug out from the shed and plonked on the patio as soon as the sun came out.
Not anymore. Today’s love affair with garden living is at its height, and there’s no doubt this is a permanent shift in how consumers view their homes. Now we’re into the new year, I’m excited to share the trends we’ve spotted that will come to the forefront in 2025.
Our flagship Tortola patio awning is a perfect example of how tastes have evolved. It remains our bestseller because it’s brilliantly engineered and answers that very British desire to make the most of every ray of sunshine while being prepared for our changeable weather. Its sleek design and clever full cassette casing protect the fabric when retracted, while integrated lighting and heating mean homeowners can enjoy balmy summer evenings well into autumn.
I’m particularly intrigued by the shift we’re seeing in fabric choices for external blinds. The previously popular slate grey has given way to warmer-toned platinum in our twilight comfort range. This sophisticated mesh material not only maintains views while controlling heat and glare, but reflects a broader move towards more natural, softer colour palettes that we’re seeing across interior design.
For patio awnings, our customers are gravitating towards the World of Sattler fabric in Ladakh – a beautiful two-tone grey that’s worlds away from the deck chair stripes that dominated a decade ago. It’s fascinating to see how far we’ve come from those traditional green and white stripes that were once the height of garden fashion.
When it comes to pergolas, while anthracite grey in a structured finish remains king, we’re seeing growing interest in quartz grey. It’s a subtle but significant shift that mirrors what’s happening in contemporary architecture. This warmer grey tone creates a softer, more inviting feel that works beautifully with today’s garden designs.
Our Classic Pod pergola continues to be a star performer, and it’s easy to see why. It can span up to 6m x 4.5m in a single module – perfect for those ambitious outdoor living spaces that more of our customers are creating. Add lighting, heating and side screens, and you’ve got a true year-round outdoor room.
What’s also interesting is how our customers’ understanding of external shading has matured. They’re no longer just buying a sunshade; they’re investing in an outdoor living solution that transforms how they use their home. While the core products remain consistent, we’re seeing more sophisticated choices in colours and finishes.
Looking ahead, I’m confident we’ll see:
- A continued shift towards warmer, more natural grey tones
- Increasing demand for smart technology integration
- More emphasis on year-round outdoor living
- Growing interest in sustainable materials
- Rising demand for bespoke solutions
Our data shows that today’s homeowners want their gardens to work as hard as their interiors, and they’re making more informed choices about how to achieve this. This year, I think we’ll see even more emphasis on creating versatile outdoor spaces that work throughout the year. The move towards warmer, more natural tones isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about creating outdoor spaces that feel like natural extensions of our homes.
Overall, what excites me most is how this evolution reflects a deeper change in British living. We’re no longer seeing our gardens as separate entities but as essential living spaces that deserve the same attention to detail as our interiors.
For installers, this shift to a more continental style of outdoor living offers great opportunities to deliver products and services that chime with a rapidly-growing trend. As we’re all aware, we’re living in challenging economic times and any chance to diversify while keeping up with demand is a must.
