The chicest summer hosts have recently abandoned any aspirations of going for gold. From Joanna Gaines to Shea McGee, regardless of where your metallic allegiances have historically lain, this so-called second-place finish has quickly replaced gold as the cooler option.
The design trend, as ever, runs parallel with our broader obsession with all things old: think pewter vases, silver candelabras, Art Nouveau shell-shaped servers recently revived by fashion-minded names like H&M Home. But there’s also a more Marcel Breuer-coded, modernist camp emerging, bringing chrome decor into the backyard with accessories ranging from patio-ready portable lamps by Zafferano America to seating by Danish design darling FRAMA – which, believe it or not, will still look exactly as silver after seasons of rain, salt air, and spilled spritzes.
So whether you need something surreal to squeeze lemons over your lobster boil or a shiny side table to hold the drink you’ve been nursing for the past hour, shop the new 'number one' summer decor idea for 2026.
The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.
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