The Rise of the Exterior Pillow
The Rise of the Exterior Pillow: A Look at How Outdoor Living Has Changed
Look, I’ve perched my behind on a lot of dubious seats over the years—rickety bar stools in far-flung corners of the world, flimsy plastic chairs in the back alleys of who-knows-where. Two decades ago, if you asked the average homeowner about their “outdoor décor,” they might have waved you over to some sun-bleached lawn chairs and called it a day. The idea of an exterior pillow that could stand up to the wrath of Mother Nature? Unheard of—like finding authentic street tacos in the frozen food aisle.
These days, the scene’s changed. A modest patio can transform into a full-blown lounge, and the open-air market for outdoor furniture has ballooned to around $38.4 billion—give or take a few cushy seats—with a steady annual growth hovering around 6.2%. That’s more than just a fad; it’s a clear message: your porch is now your second living room, so you’d better make it look good.
A Shift in How We Live & Entertain
We used to chase the next trendy bar or restaurant, but now half the fun is setting up your own backyard to look like some swanky rooftop club. People aren’t just buying a grill and a couple of folding chairs—they’re building entire experiences, complete with an exterior pillow or ten. All-weather fabrics, mildew-resistant stuffing, UV-protective covers—like so many kitchen gadgets, these pillows are designed to take a beating and keep coming back for more.
Stat to note: Outdoor furniture and accessory sales aren’t just crawling upward; they’re sprinting. The growth in this category has overshadowed that of indoor furniture in some markets.
Fun fact: Around half of new homeowners put sprucing up their outdoor space at the top of the to-do list—way before repainting the living room, and sometimes before they even sort out the kitchen sink.
The COVID Effect: Stay Home, Make It Cozy
We all know the drill: the pandemic arrived, and we suddenly found ourselves banished to our own homes like exiles. The great outdoors (or at least the patch of it we owned) became our lifeline. We got tired of the same four walls and set out to create new hangouts—rooftops, balconies, and patios—where we could feel the breeze and hold onto our sanity. Demand for patio sets skyrocketed, and along came the star of the show: the exterior pillow.
Stat to note: Outdoor furniture sales clocked in double-digit growth during the pandemic, as everyone and their neighbor decided to trick out their patios.
Fun fact: Homeowners reportedly shelled out 20–30% more cash on outdoor accessories than they did just a few years prior. Anything to break the monotony, right?
Gen Z’s Take: Less Time in Bars, More Time Outdoors
Now that we’re easing out of lockdown life, you’d think the appeal of the backyard would fade. Not so fast. Gen Z is flipping the script on night-life culture—drinking less and spending more time socializing in cozy, personal spots. Instead of hemorrhaging cash at bars, they’re funneling it into Amazon-worthy furniture, string lights, and, yes, that perfect exterior pillow to complete the vibe.
Stat to note: Some reports say Gen Z is reducing alcohol spending by up to 20% compared to older generations.
Fun fact: The “mocktail hour” is replacing the “happy hour,” and that’s a prime opportunity to show off an inviting outdoor space. Nothing says “relax” like plush pillows, warm lighting, and a crowd of friends who prefer seltzer to tequila.
Looking Ahead
Outdoor living won’t just vanish like the day’s catch at a seafood market. With or without a pandemic breathing down our necks, people crave fresh air and the good life. Industry experts see continued growth in all things outdoor, which means the exterior pillow is here to stay—front and center in our quest for the perfect backyard sanctuary.
So whether you’re traveling the world in search of culinary revelations or simply looking to host the next big hangout at home, remember this: invest in a few good exterior pillows, and you might just discover you don’t have to wander far for a little comfort and a damn good time.