Mistake #1: Choosing Too Many Materials

While it’s tempting to mix and match different styles when furniture shopping, this can make a space look messy with each piece needing to “fight for your attention,” says Bowman. That’s why he recommends choosing a single material. “If your seating consists of teak wood, your side tables and planters should be made from the same material.” 

To achieve this with Quince, Bowman suggests sticking with their line of teak furniture, including a newly added weather-resistant dining table, available in two sizes and a matching armchair. According to the designer, teak “ages beautifully” and gives the space a “refined, resort-style feeling.” 

Linear Solid Teak Outdoor Dining Table

Linear Solid Teak Outdoor Dining Armchair

Linear Solid Teak Outdoor Sofa

Linear Solid Teak Outdoor Coffee Table

Mistake #2: Only Using Outdoor Decor

An easy way to make your yard pop is to take an element of interior design outside. Quince’s Artisan Ceramic Table Lamp has a rattan shade that “instantly softens the hardness of an outdoor building style,” per Bowman. Similarly, the ceramic base on this lamp looks sleek while creating “continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces,” he says.  

Artisan Ceramic Table Lamp

Glossy Cylindrical Ceramic Table Lamp

Mistake # 3: Ignoring the Color Palette of Your Plants

Many people forget that their yard already has a natural color scheme, says Bowman. Consider the hues of your plants before opting for a bright purple pillow that may clash with the natural elements that already exist. 

Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Dining Set

Credit: Quince

By picking something like Quince’s Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Dining Set, available in sage green, your furniture complements the plants. “This particular sage green aluminum finish gets its hues straight from the olive leaves and grasses,” he says, adding, “It blends naturally in the garden throughout the year.”

Designer Tip

“In this way, the furniture will not compete with surrounding plants, but be integrated into it. This strategy is also useful because it will ensure that the color scheme remains fresh through all seasons.” 

Mistake #4: Sticking Only to Straight Lines

A lot of outdoor furniture has sharp, straight lines, says Bowman, so it’s important to complement it with curved accessories “to bring in a sense of flow.” An outdoor rug with a round design, an umbrella, curved planters, or this wicker chair with a rounded top help make things appear less rigid. “That contrast allows furniture to look softer and more welcoming,” says Bowman. 

Curved All-Weather Wicker Dining Chair

Round Sunbrella Outdoor Umbrella and Base