Paul Raeside/Livingetc/IPC Syndication
Warmer temperatures, bright blue skies, and sunny days are luring you outside. And if you're planning to do any of your eating, entertaining, or lounging out there, then it's time to rethink how that area looks and feels. Short on space? A few square inches can go a long way. Tight budget? Work with what you already own. No garden or greenery? No big deal. From yards and terraces to patios and porches, these easy decorating ideas can work for any spot you have big plans for beautifying. Have a peek...Try these outdoor lighting ideas to illuminate your newly decorated backyard.
Patio Primer
Give your outdoor space a fresh face by sticking to a monochromatic palette. You can pull off a polished look without overdoing it. Choose the essential pieces (wirework round table, umbrella, stools) in a contemporary gray and white color scheme.
Advertisement
Tropical Punch
Want to add a touch of fun to your outdoor space? Cue the colorful accents. A terrace gets a bold pick-me-up from cushions in vibrant colors (tangerine, fuchsia) and modern prints like ikat, stripes, and eye-popping florals.
Natural Charm
Got space? Reimagine a room—one without walls, that is. Create an intimate gathering space that's prepped for entertaining by surrounding the table with a wicker sofa, freestanding umbrella, and fire pit.
Advertisement
Cozy Quarters
Achieve a sense of privacy in an urban space by enclosing it with a tall wooden fence. Prioritize how you plan to use this area before making any decorating decisions. For example, if it's for dining and entertaining, make sure the grill and table are your first key pieces.
Advertisement
Lounging Style
Make over a porch with a few items (day bed, potted plants, Chinese lanterns) that will make the space comfortable and stylish. Thinking creatively can also help you stick to a budget. There's no reason why a trunk from inside can't step in as your outdoor coffee table. Besides, it's only for a season.
Advertisement
Garden Party
Dining alfresco is about gathering family, entertaining friends, and escaping from your typical daily routine. Any rules to follow? Be smart about your outdoor style and choose weather-resistant furniture, coverage from the sun, and a solid base for setting up your table.
Advertisement
Country Living
When it comes to outdoor dining, anything goes. But to capture an easygoing escape-to-the-weekend-home feeling, make an attempt to separate yourself from your daily routine. Start by setting the table and chairs on the lawn and away from your home, which will create a dining experience that is unique and unexpected.
Advertisement
Seeing Red
Want a modern and budget-friendly trick that won't involve an entire patio makeover? Focus on a few decorative elements (gray drum shade, slipcovered chairs) that strategically weave a splash of red throughout the dining space.
Advertisement
Sunny Delight
Dreaming of a lounging area for reading, writing, or hanging with guests? Decorate around the key piece: the sofa. A traditional rattan couch gets an instant transformation by tossing on colorful plush pillows and hanging an assortment of festive glass lanterns.
Advertisement
Seaside View
Arrange your spread on an ocean-vista picnic table and play up the nautical theme (fish motif on linens, blue hydrangeas) with the tabletop decor. Why do benches work so well outside? No backs, which will help keep the captivating view unobstructed for everyone.
Advertisement
Island Style
Even a corner can explode with seasonal appeal. Set up a red bistro table, surround it with green plastic chairs, and hang a graphic piece of art on the wall.
Advertisement
Heavy Metal
Even if you don't do much outdoor entertaining, it's still lovely to have a spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or an afternoon lemonade. Choose a weather-resistant material and have enough seating to accommodate a few drop-in guests.
Advertisement
Rainbow Bright
Minimalists, you're in luck. An outdoor space can become whatever you make of it. Carve out a casual reading or conversational area with a few smart seating options. Before you view this idea as boring, consider how a trio of punchy colored chairs can instantly brighten up a stone yard.
Advertisement
Patio Dining
Formal without all the fuss. Surround a reclaimed teak table with wicker chairs to keep the mood light and relaxing. Choose chicken wire lanterns for unexpected and oh-so-easy tabletop décor.
Advertisement
Musical Chairs
Mix and match different materials for an informal approach to outdoor dining. If you'd rather keep the color on the table, add charm with an assortment of casual chairs in different styles.
Advertisement
Swinging Pretty
You could have all the space in the world, yet still head to the same seat every time you step outside. Longing for your own special escape? Suspend a swinging seat bench in the corner of a wooden deck to help you breeze through those lazy days of summer.
Advertisement
Flying Colors
Approach decorating your seasonal go-to spot as you would your living room or den. Welcome the key pieces (sofa, arm chair, fireplace) and then style with personality and colorful flair.
Advertisement
Patio Perfect
Brighten up a spot on the lawn with a pop of colorful accents like a red dinette table, string of vibrant lights, and a magenta Chinese lantern.
See more outdoor string lights here.
See more outdoor string lights here.
Advertisement
Cover Up
If your outdoor space doesn’t have an awning, create your own with a white fabric canopy. Have plenty of seating options (stackable stools, cushioned benches) so guests will feel welcome around the table.
Advertisement
Shady Lady
Warm weather calls for bright colors and lively details. Accessorize a folding table with a hot pink bistro chair, green umbrella, and fluffy multicolored paper pom-poms.
Advertisement
Swinging in the Shade
Create an intimate nook for lounging, reading, or just zoning out. Find a spot in the trees to suspend a garden hammock and jazz it up with a few hanging lanterns.
Advertisement
