2024 is the year of the raw wooden revival. We've already seen this movement take shape in the most desirable celebrity kitchens (from Tom Brady to Matthew and Camila McConaughey), many of whom have stripped their cabinets of color in favor of unpainted alternatives. However, this rustic aesthetic is not limited to interiors. Case in point: Bruce Springsteen's wooden porch.
The rock singer's front porch, seen outside his New Jersey home, is a celebration of all things rustic – exhibiting exposed brick flooring and his pared-back wooden house exterior. His outdoor furniture choices are just as organic, featuring an unpainted chair that feels just as natural as its surroundings.
As much as we love seeing celebrities experiment with more vibrant garden trends, Springsteen's porch is a reminder of how beautiful a more simple aesthetic can be – and, unsurprisingly, he's not alone in his ideology. Trend forecasters have categorized 'Aged Timber Elegance' as one of the biggest outdoor design movements of the year, and of course, Springsteen is ahead of the curve.
'Celebrating the enduring allure of aged timber, this year sees the integration of reclaimed or weathered wood for added texture and character,' comments Leigh Barnes, a garden design expert from Jacksons Fencing. As Barnes suggests, we can get behind this aesthetic with an unpainted fence; however, Springsteen has brought the trend to life on an even more significant scale.
'Mature fencing, chosen for both aesthetic charm and enduring functionality, defines newly renovated gardens. Allowing timber to age naturally imparts a sense of history and belonging,' she says. But why should we stop at the fence? If our space allows (especially if we're working with a country property like Springsteen's), we can get the look by leaving our porch unpainted or opting for a wooden front door.
Plus, letting our wood's natural hues shine through taps into yet another emerging trend. Barnes explains that, alongside 'Aged Timber Elegance,' 'dark and mysterious colors' are similarly shaping how we decorate our outdoor spaces. Therefore, if we have the option of darker wood (like the one seen on Springsteen's porch), we can tap into not one but two key design movements.
Naturally, earthy browns combine both trends, but we can also follow suit by incorporating richly-hued accessories, including a purple pillow, much like this one from Wayfair. 'Gardens in 2024 will showcase captivating dark hues – rich purples, deep reds, and enigmatic blues,' Barnes says. We can accentuate this further with our chosen flowers. 'Foliage will flaunt intense shades of purple or earthy browns. Switching to darker plant pots effortlessly elevates the ambiance,' she says.
Lastly, we should choose (deliberately) 'rusty' accessories that have a complementing rustic aesthetic. This 'weathered' look complements the rich wooden tones and ensures our porch feels authentically rustic. We currently love this rusty-style garland, which is also available on Wayfair.
'Rust takes center stage as a deliberate design feature in 2024. Corten steel, renowned for its weathered allure, is favored among garden designers,' Barnes comments.
'Corten steel, renowned for its weathered allure, is favored among garden designers. Its natural patina forms a protective layer, ensuring longevity while adding rustic charm. Whether fashioned into a raised bed or water feature, Corten steel creates a striking contrast in the garden landscape.'
