CORT Events, the nation’s leading furniture, lighting and accessories rental company, announces the top outdoor event design trends for planning an engaging event this summer. Trends to play up this season include: bringing indoor design outdoors, bold yet classic color palettes and patterns, Mediterranean influences and creature comforts.
Bring the Indoors Out
Outdoor event design is all about making your indoor and your outdoor blend seamlessly. Outdoor spaces are an extension of the indoor event space, and are increasingly more sophisticated with furnishings that look like interior styles. During your summer soiree, incorporate furniture suitable for lounging, networking, and socializing. Mix up seating with dining areas and plenty of bar tables for drinks and food plates while guests mingle. Utilize modular and functional furniture to fit any patio, lawn or pool deck. CORT’s new Dune sectional in a warm gray tone is a perfect neutral to be the canvas for any summer color palette.
“The worst design sin when planning an outdoor event is not having enough bar tables for guests to casually network while they eat and drink. It’s common sense, but so many planners skimp on the tables. That includes accent and side tables near furniture,” says Kevin Dana, executive director of Marketing & Product Development at CORT.
Use Bold Color Palettes and Patterns
Color is key when planning an outdoor event, and blue is the rage this summer! Make your event sultry and seductive with deep hues of blue, paired with green jungle patterns and palm accent pieces. Stay classic and chic with antiqued white and blue, playing with clean lines and crisp summer linens. CORT Party Rental’s upscale Choice Linens collection is a great resource for inspirational upscale fabrics that can add an extra touch of elegance to any setting. Use accent pieces to bring in the colors. Go beyond throw pillows, and play up the seasonal shades with CORT’s new outdoor wire tables in green, blue and white. Vibe cube ottomans provide versatile vibrant outdoor seating in summer hues, and can easily move around for casual networking.
Drawing from popular home furnishing trends, Palm Beach Chic lends a cool, casual vibe to outdoor soirees this season. CORT’s new tropical pillow collection channels the easy essence of the 70’s and cool prints from that era allow you to casually incorporate a playful luxurious feel to your seating arrangements. For functional, visual interest, use lighted plastic orbs, cubes, tables and columns. These LED lighted pieces help set the mood and add additional color when the sun goes down. Some options from CORT are battery operated to allow for lighting away from electrical outlets.
Go Mediterranean
For international inspiration, go Mediterranean. Tuscan-style gardens make ornate foliage a centerpiece of any outdoor gathering. Black and white with punches of color provide balance and fun against a backdrop of extravagant greenery. Go north to the French Riviera for an easy, chic feel. Mix furnishings with wood tables and benches and don’t forget to finish with marble table tops. Define the space with faux boxwood hedges to create more intimate outdoor areas that are luxurious. Add florals to the hedges to bring in a hanging garden look that makes your space feel romantic.
Pay Attention to Creature Comforts
The most important trend is comfort. Pay attention to details that will enhance your guests’ experience. The summer months are a beautiful time to be outdoors, but can leave guests hot and dehydrated. Be sure to place bug spray around the tables and have plenty of citronella candles flickering, adding to the ambience and protecting your guests from mosquitoes. Provide water stations throughout the venue, offering guests water infused with citrus or fruits so they can stay hydrated. Guests can help themselves without lining up for the bar, and as an added bonus, these fruits look gorgeous when paired with linens.
Lastly, provide more shade than you think your guests will need. The weather can be unpredictable, and a sweltering afternoon can ruin the upbeat vibe of even the most extravagant event. If you don’t have lots of covered patio space, be sure to place large umbrellas over seating groupings, dining and bar tables to keep your guests cool and comfortable.
Play up these hot trends to create a memorable event this summer. To learn more about CORT’s exhibit and event rental collections, visit www.cortevents.com.
