Bring The Outdoors In With This Popular Design Trend

There's nothing quite like unwinding in nature, especially if it's right outside your door. But if you don't have a backyard or an outdoor space of your own and don't want to be exposed to the elements, try this trend of creating an "indoor-outdoor" space inside your home. According to the pros, this trend is sort of like making a sunroom even if your home doesn't have one by bringing the beauty and serenity of the great outdoors to a permanent space that can be used year-round. As designer Sally Wilkinson told House Beautiful, "designing spaces that feel connected to the outdoors creates an antidote to how much time we spend staring at screens and rushing through our days."

In fact, seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor space is slated to be a top trend in 2026, according to The National Association of Landscape Professionals. Tara Piergies-Baker, a landscape designer with The Addison Group, told the organization that she's "seeing this continued blurring of the interior to the exterior," with more homeowners seeking less division between indoor and outdoor living and entertaining. If you're inspired to incorporate this type of space in your own home, start by thinking of all those things you love about being outside. Natural materials, authentic lighting, and lots of greenery are probably some of the things that come to mind. 

Try adapting key tenets of al fresco dining — the Italian tradition of dining outdoors and cater them to your indoor space. Lots of natural light is ideal, so find those extra-sunny spots in your home to start building your indoor-outdoor retreat. If that isn't an option, you can still play with lighting to set the mood. Ambient lighting is central to the al fresco experience, so use candles, strings of lights, and small tabletop lamps. To lean into that nature-inspired vibe, look for lights that feel like something you would find in an outdoor retreat such as hurricane candle holders and patio-style strings of lightbulbs.

Decorate your indoor-outdoor space using rustic, natural materials such as untreated wood, stone, or brick, and throw pillows and upholsteries in soft cotton or linen. Remember, you're looking for that sunroom vibe, so think about furniture and décor made of materials you might find in a garden conservatory. Rattan, wicker, or bamboo are some options to consider for furnishings that feel laidback yet classic.

And of course, to fully embrace the natural setting, you will want to include potted plants, flowers, and greenery. You don't need to have a green thumb; there are plenty of easy houseplants that anyone can keep alive. Or if you really don't trust yourself, try incorporating murals or wallpaper in trendy textured finishes that feature flora and fauna patterns or scenes from nature.