Interior design is only getting more whimsical and kitschy, and now patio and outdoor spaces are getting playful makeovers, too—a trend most ardently displayed with the cherished '80s porch goose.
Creating a garden or outdoor space glistening with eclectic pizazz isn’t particularly new. Still, over the past few years, the interest in organic gardens has (literally) grown with the resurgence of cottagecore. The relaxed, prairie-like aesthetic gives off a natural and sophisticated feel—and as is often noted by trend spotters, the trend cycle tends to shift from one extreme to another in terms of style. Enter the kitschy outdoor look: full of maximalist pops of color and heaps of creativity.
Kitschy style simply means having fun with your decor. Add a few gnomes or lawn flamingos to your yard; play around with TikTok’s “Grocery Girl Fall.” And, of course, we can't forget about the porch goose.
The nostalgic staple is a concrete goose that sits outside of your house and welcomes guests. It’s tradition to buy one goose and dress him or her up in a different outfit during the holidays. One TikTok creator dressed her porch goose up as Frankenstein for Halloween and a turkey for Thanksgiving. Another creator put theirs in a Kansas City Chiefs (hi, Traylor) outfit for game day and a polka dot bikini for warmer weather. This one celebrated Pride Month with a very cute rainbow look.
Finding porch goose gear isn’t always easy, but it's always fun. Since these decorative lawn items are a vintage trend, collectors usually look for accessories in their attics or on Facebook Marketplace. Some creators even sew the outfits themselves. You can also find porch goose outfits on Etsy.
While a kitschy goose in front of your home might not be the first trend a professional designer recommends, it aligns with many popular design lessons, including the importance of having fun with it. If you keep your porch goose year after year, not only are you making a sustainable decor choice, but you’re also creating tradition.