Home Decorating Outdoor Living 21 Outdoor Decor Ideas to Turn Your Yard Into a Relaxing Oasis It could be as easy as adding a lighting fixture or a unique way to organize your grilling tools. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 10, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Paul Raeside/Livingetc/IPC Syndication Warmer temperatures, bright blue skies, and sunny days are luring us outside. And if you're like us and 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 outdoor decor ideas can work for any spot you have big plans for beautifying. 01 of 21 White Patio Furniture Nick Pope/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication 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. Not a fan of the neutrals? There are several other monochromatic color schemes to consider. 02 of 21 Tropical Accent Pillows Polly Wreford/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication Want to add a touch of fun to your outdoor space? Cue the colorful accents. This terrace gets a bold pick-me-up from cushions in vibrant colors (tangerine, fuchsia) and modern prints like ikat, stripes, and eye-popping florals. 03 of 21 Fire Pit With Gravel Base David Brittain/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication 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 a high-quality fire pit right in the middle of the deck. 04 of 21 Hanging Grill Essentials Simon Whitmore/Ideal Home/IPC+ Syndication 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. If you have a grill, consider showcasing your accessories by hanging them off the privacy fence. 05 of 21 Indoor-Inspired Daybed Lucinda Symons/Country Homes and Interiors/IPC+ Syndication 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 (and you can cover it when it rains). 06 of 21 Dining Set in the Garden Dan Duchars/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication 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. 07 of 21 Dining Set on the Lawn Mark Scott/Woman & Home/IPC+ Syndication 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. 08 of 21 Outdoor Drum Light Fixture Dan Duchars/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication 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. 09 of 21 Rattan Sofa With Throw Pillows Rachel Whiting/Country Homes and Interiors/IPC Syndication Dreaming of a lounging area for reading and 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. 10 of 21 Nautical Decor by the Water Simon Scarboro/Country Homes and Interiors/IPC Syndication 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. 11 of 21 Graphic Island Art Simon Bevan/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication 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. 12 of 21 Metal Bistro Set Carolyn Barber/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication 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 afternoon lemonade. Choose a weather-resistant material and have enough seating to accommodate a few drop-in guests. 13 of 21 Modern Colorful Outdoor Chairs Emma Mitchell/Livingetc/IPC+ Syndication 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. 14 of 21 Teak Table and Rattan Chairs Polly Wreford/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication 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. 15 of 21 Assorted Outdoor Chairs Ben Anders/Livingetc/IPC+ Syndication 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. 16 of 21 Wood Porch Swing Simon Scarboro/Country Homes & Interiors/IPC Syndication 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. 17 of 21 Colorful Paper Lanterns Simon Scarboro/Country Homes & Interiors Approach decorating your seasonal go-to spot as you would your living room or den. Welcome the key pieces (sofa, armchair, fireplace) and then style with personality and colorful flair using Chinese lanterns or other colorful outdoor string lights. 18 of 21 Red Dinette Table Spike Powell/Woman & Home 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. 19 of 21 Fabric Canopy Dan Duchars/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication 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. 20 of 21 Green Patio Umbrella Simon Whitmore/Country Homes and Interiors/IPC+Syndication 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. 21 of 21 Jute Garden Hammock Paul Raeside/Livingetc/IPC Syndication 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit