The sun seeps into your skin, suddenly the car is warm upon entering, and you’re convinced you’re trapped in a Kleenex commercial because allergies are flaring out of control; yet somehow, you want nothing more than to get outdoors and absorb the weather while it lasts – welcome to spring in Phoenix. The subtle hints of a new season have crept in, and while some of those hints are less than favorable (do allergies really have to exist?), the beautiful, brag-about-swimming-in-February-to-East-Coast-friends weather makes it all worthwhile. To help you spend some more time outdoors, we asked the creative designer and managing partner of CC Patio, Sy Salari, about some of the best outdoor furniture trends for the Spring.

What’s the best part about working at a patio furniture store? How do you keep it exciting?

Our three-step process, which includes private on-site consultation, custom design creation to fit each client’s backyard and furniture needs, and hand-crafted manufacturing and production, ensures that our designs bring the unique vision of our clients to life. It’s exciting for me to be play such an integral role in the consumer–decision journey and to develop the product from start to finish creating an idealistic and one-of-a-kind piece. Colors, patterns, textures, structure, size, shape and materials can all be individualized, and the final result is what truly excites my team and me. 

What are some of your favorite furniture or accessory items from CC Patio for the spring season?

• Luxury floating is one. You can float in style with custom floating furniture sets and tables that can be custom designed to match your outdoor furniture décor. The floating patio furniture is water repellent and fade resistant to defy the harsh summer rays and can also be used as traditional patio furniture throughout the year, or to accommodate and seat guests during large backyard soirees last minute.
• Colorful planters are another. As an accessory, fiberglass planters are a great addition to the backyard for the spring season because the fiberglass material is fade resistant, so it’s perfect for planting succulents or cacti that can have substantial exposure to the sun.  They’re also an easy way to bring pops of color into your outside space, bringing an Arizona-friendly greenery and springtime solution that can live all year long to your backyard.
• Multipurpose fire pits transform your wintertime fire pit to a springtime succulent garden or a flowerbed centerpiece for a 365-day trend. They can also be converted into an ice chest during the summer. They provide functionality and style all year long, no matter what season.
• Leatherette furniture is sweat proof, stain proof, waterproof, mold proof, fade resistant, temperature resistant, scratch proof, and easy to care for. It feels and looks like real leather for stylish outdoor living 

What’s your best advice for someone wanting to spruce up their patio during the spring?

Create a space that is multi-purpose and can be quickly and easily adaptable from the warm springtime days to the chilled nights. Outdoor daybeds are an ideal solution for convertible springtime weather; they are also a perfect example of spring’s hottest trend of bringing traditional indoor furniture outdoors to create a non-traditional cozy living space. Daybeds can be used for napping, reading, or relaxing in the fresh air, and come in all shapes and sizes depending on your needs and backyard space—from hanging daybeds to canopied and intimate setting daybeds, the possibilities for spring designs are endless. 

In terms of patio fashions, what’s trending and popular right now?

Furniture shape and texture is really trending toward clean lines and minimalistic features. Micro-fiber outdoor leatherette is an increasingly popular fabric that can sustain the natural weather elements and also looks very chic, smooth and cutting edge due to its stylish aesthetic. Circular furniture is haute now too. Circles naturally draw your eyes as a centerpiece and create a free-flowing social environment. What’s most important is creating an outdoor space that speaks to your personality. These days it’s about bringing the indoors, outdoors. Furniture in neutral colors are timeless, so add colorful toss pillows or accent décor pieces to them and your outdoor space for a springtime color palette.

What do you recommend for people who hate their furniture getting messy?

One way to maintain upkeep of your furniture is to invest in made-to-fit furniture covers, which help protect your furniture all year long and dramatically extends the life, quality and beauty of your outdoor furniture. The furniture covers can also be custom designed to match your furniture shape, size and colors so it ensures the best protection while still looking chic. The furniture covers are ideal for monsoon season to protect your furniture from the dust and rain that leaves your outdoor furniture muddy and hard to clean. The covers can be easily washed, but are also water and weather resistant for easy care.