Pick the right furniture colours to enhance the flow of your outdoor space

Call us biased, but at Kinso, we love researching (and shopping) new furniture. Balancing functionality and aesthetics, choosing the right furniture can make all the difference when creating a home you love. That’s why it's crucial to take the time to thoughtfully plan your space and assess your needs based on your lifestyle rather than what’s currently trending.

The same philosophy applies when purchasing outdoor furniture for your balcony, patio, and backyard. From casual morning cuppas to entertaining your friends and family, we’re here to help you create a space that makes the most of every moment.

In addition to determining the right sizes and styles, your outdoor furniture colours play a pivotal role in setting the tone and enhancing the visual appeal of your outdoor setting. In this article, we’ll guide you through five essential questions to consider when narrowing down your outdoor colour palette.

5 Questions to Help Determine Your Outdoor Furniture Colours

1. What colours dominate your existing outdoor space?

Note the dominant colours across your home’s exterior and backyard.

This may include your home’s outdoor architectural elements, fencing, painted fixtures, garden areas, natural elements, and any existing furnishing and decor.

2. Do you want to create a seamless visual flow between indoor and outdoor spaces?

We Australians love outdoor living, whether it’s a cosy BBQ during the colder months or soaking in the sun during the warmer months. The indoor-outdoor living trend seamlessly blends your patio with your living area, creating a cohesive flow between your indoor and outdoor areas to maximise functionality and aesthetics.

To achieve a seamless look and feel, carry the same or similar colours, tones, and materials across both spaces, including your outdoor furniture.

What direction is your backyard facing, and how much natural light does it get?

Natural light can play a huge role in influencing your outdoor furniture selections.

North and northeast-facing backyards often get the most direct sunlight throughout the day, while south-facing properties will be mostly shaded without much natural light.

So, for example, if you have a small backyard with minimal sunlight, consider choosing outdoor furniture in lighter colours to make the space feel brighter and larger.

4. How do you want your overall outdoor area to feel?

By combining colour theory and psychology, your furniture colours can enhance your outdoor space's overall atmosphere and feeling.

• Warm vs. cool tones—Warm tones like yellows and reds can spark energy and happiness, while cool tones like blues and greens are calming and relaxing. 
• Light vs. dark colours—Light colours often feel more airy and spacious, while darker shades add sophistication and drama. 
• Monochromatic colours—A monochromatic colour palette uses different shades of the same colour, such as light and dark blue.
• Complementary colours—Colours that contrast each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and purple or blue and orange. 
• Analogous colours—Colours next to each other on the colour wheel, such as yellow and orange, or purple, blue, and green. 

For a more timeless space, opt for a neutral furniture colour palette and use colourful decor and accessories to add a splash of colour. This will reduce visual clutter and prevent focal points from clashing. You can also quickly and affordably update accessories to match current outdoor furniture trends.

How often do you expect to clean and maintain your furniture?

When choosing outdoor furniture colours, the final factor to consider is your outdoor furniture cleaning and maintenance goals.

While lighter shades like white and beige can make your outdoor space feel brighter and more spacious, light-coloured outdoor furniture is more likely to accumulate dust, dirt and stains. This may mean cleaning your outdoor furniture more frequently or covering it when unused.

On the other hand, darker colours, such as black or brown, can appear more timeless while effortlessly concealing everyday dirt and dust between cleans. Dark colours are more resistant to sun damage but can become hot in direct sunlight. To keep outdoor seating comfortable, consider using chair pads or covers to prevent overheating.

Still Undecided? Use the 60-30-10 Design Rule for Your Outdoor Space

Now that you’ve considered the above questions, the next step to refine your outdoor furniture colour palette is to create a mood board. Whether it’s on Pinterest or Canva, you can use your mood board to collect inspiration for outdoor furniture while extracting recurring colour and material themes.

Too many choices? Interior designers often rely on the simple 60-30-10 design rule when creating a colour palette for any space.

This rule suggests allocating 60% of the space to the dominant colour, 30% to the secondary colour, and 10% to the accent colour. For your outdoor space, this could mean using the dominant colour for large areas like exterior walls and decking, the secondary colour for items like outdoor chairs and cushions, and the accent colour for statement pieces like lanterns or decorative planters.

• 60% for the primary colour: This will be the dominant colour that covers large areas, such as exterior rules, decking, and large furniture pieces, such as your outdoor dining table or outdoor lounge.  
• 30% for the secondary colour: This can be a complementary or contrasting colour to add depth to your outdoor area, such as outdoor chairs, side tables, cushions, and throws. 
• 10% for the accent colour: These colours add the final touch for statement pieces, such as lanterns or decorative planters. 

This 60-30-10 design rule can help you create a balanced and visually appealing outdoor space.

That said, no real “rules” exist when furnishing and decorating your home. It needs to reflect your unique personality and style. If mixing and matching your favourite furniture colours brings you joy, trust your instincts! Remember, it's your home, so you can make or break the rules however you see fit.

Remember, it’s your home, so you can make or break the rules however you see fit.

Shop Kinso’s Outdoor Furniture in Your Preferred Colours

To help you create a space that you truly love living in, Kinso offers the latest outdoor furniture in versatile colours, from minimalist neutrals to colourful brights. Whether you’re aiming for a contemporary look or a timeless aesthetic, our growing collection has you covered!

Colour your moments happy with Kinso’s outdoor furniture made for living:

• Outdoor Dining Sets
• Outdoor Lounge Sets
• Poolside Sets
• Balcony Sets

Already have your colour swatches ready to go? Check out our 5 simple tips to elevate your outdoor area. Then, start shopping for your perfect outdoor furniture in your preferred colours!