The most difficult part of decorating an outdoor space is striking the perfect balance between under-decorated and over-decorated. You want the patio to feel warm and inviting, but not so full of furniture that there's no space to breathe. In search of the ideal formula, we're returning to a home we can count on for quiet sophistication and subtlety: JFK's house on the Kennedy compound.
An archival photograph from 1953 shows John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy posing on the porch of Kennedy's family home in Hyannisport, Massachusetts, shortly after the couple's engagement. The patio idea is simple but impactful. It features a woven cream rug and a rattan chair with neutral cushions. Behind the Kennedys, a slatted wooden side table is home to a stone vase full of dried flowers. The design feels like an extension of the home that perfectly complements the New England white walls.
This subtly striking look gels with current interior design trends, which encourage homeowners to prioritize quality over quantity through a return to focus on craftsmanship. With this shift in mind, here's a peek inside the Kennedy patio, an edit of products to recreate their look, and expert commentary on why the design works (and how to emulate it).
Recreate The Kennedy Look at Home
Whether it's by your front porch or patio, this set is the first step in achieving the Kennedys' look. Each chair features an intricate rope weave and water-resistant cushions that are durable and always good-looking, whatever the season.
This chic but strong throw pillow showcases textured knitting for artisanal appeal you'll love almost as much as a wicker chair It features a UV-, weather-, water- and fade-resistant design for lasting outdoor use.
If you love the slatted wooden table on the side of the Kennedy's porch, this light teak pedestal is the perfect option for getting the look. It would be so stylish with a stoneware vase and pretty
An indoor-outdoor rug is one of the most underrated accessories you can use to upgrade a patio. This pretty one would work perfectly with a wooden design as seen at the Kennedy home.
This vessel charms with its soft neutral tone and elegantly sculpted handles. Its refined design provides effortless versatility, making it equally striking on a modern kitchen countertop or as part of a carefully curated dining display.
If you want to make your patio look a bit more green, this dried eucalyptus is the perfect thing to add to a vase on a side table. You could mix in with dried flowers for an extra stunning look.
As we see on the Kennedy porch, making your outdoor living room pop comes from building a space that fosters family time. High-quality, comfortable furnishings that make you want to sit and chat for hours are the best place to start.
Alex Bridgman, CEO of luxury garden furniture brand, Bridgman, explains: 'Outdoor seating is becoming less about practicality and more about comfort and connection. Homeowners are prioritizing more intimate arrangements that bring the living room into the great outdoors, combining sofas, coffee tables, and armchairs to encourage conversation and relaxation.'
Furthermore, as demonstrated by the sofa and cushions on Jackie and JFK's porch, soft furnishings aren't just for inside. In fact, outdoor furniture design trends are shifting to prioritize these cocooning elements.
'Soft, tactile elements, such as outdoor rugs and cushions, help to make these spaces feel inviting and lived-in, while thoughtful layouts ensure the area feels cozy without being cramped,' says Alex. 'Natural materials and warm textures such as rope add a sense of comfort, while practical touches like waterproof cushions and rust-resistant frames mean these pieces are as functional as they are stylish.'
Tapping into the old-money coastal style is about more than splashes of blue and stripes; sometimes, restraint is the most important design skill. Especially when it comes to patio design.
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