22 Outdoor Decor Ideas

By Real Simple
Updated September 28, 2016
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.
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Patio Primer

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.

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Tropical Punch

Polly Wreford/Homes & Gardens/IPC+ Syndication

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.

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Natural Charm

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 fire pit.

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Cozy Quarters

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.

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Lounging Style

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.

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Garden Party

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.

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Country Living

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.

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Seeing Red

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.

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Sunny Delight

Rachel Whiting/Country Homes and Interiors/IPC Syndication

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.

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Seaside View

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.

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Island Style

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.

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Heavy Metal

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 an afternoon lemonade. Choose a weather-resistant material and have enough seating to accommodate a few drop-in guests.

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Rainbow Bright

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.

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Patio Dining

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.

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Musical 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.

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Swinging Pretty

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.

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Flying Colors

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, arm chair, fireplace) and then style with personality and colorful flair.

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Patio Perfect

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.

See more outdoor string lights here.

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Cover Up

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.

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Shady Lady

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.

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Swinging in the Shade

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.

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Leisurely Lunch

Maja Smend/Essentials/IPC+ Syndication
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