Home Decorating Outdoor Living How to Create a Cozy and Inviting Outdoor Space These tricks will help you turn your deck or patio into a cozy getaway for you and your family. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on July 30, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Outdoor entertaining is definitely in—so Simply host Haley Cairo built a blueprint to make it easy for anyone to create the perfect outdoor living space for relaxing and hosting. To help set her outdoor living room apart from the rest of her backyard, Haley chose a corner of her deck framed by a pergola. She invested in furniture in neutral hues and weather-resistant teak, so she can easily (and inexpensively!) change out the look with fresh pillows and accessories. Outdoor curtains and lighting help define the space and make it just as comfortable at night as it is during the day. For finishing touches, Haley picked planters and candle holders made of natural materials to give the area an earthy vibe. Pro tip: Rather than fill big planters with heavy potting soil, Haley placed old cans and bottles in the bottom of each planter as a useful way to recycle. (The cans and bottles allow the soil to drain—and make the planters lighter so she can shift them around as needed.) 01 of 12 Willow Glen Sectional Sofa Courtesy of Manufacturer $1300; homedepot.com Sturdy teak is the backbone of this sectional and coffee table set, which seats five comfortably. The creamy-white cushions are weather- and fade-resistant. 02 of 12 Genser Outdoor Chairs Courtesy of Manufacturer $479; overstock.com This pair of armchairs shares the same natural vibe as the sectional (even if they aren't from the same manufacturer). 03 of 12 ATI Indoor/Outdoor Curtains Courtesy of Manufacturer These indoor/outdoor curtains, made of mildew-resistant polyester, help filter and soften the light—and frame the outdoor lounge area. 04 of 12 Tension Rods Courtesy of Manufacturer $43 ; amazon.com Tension rods make it easy to hang curtains outdoors without drilling or additional hardware. 05 of 12 String Lights Courtesy of Manufacturer $51; amazon.com Larger strings of bulbs illuminate the patio, so you can keep the party going into the night. 06 of 12 Curtain Hooks Courtesy of Manufacturer $10; amazon.com For larger spaces, curtain hooks may be necessary to secure the outdoor curtain rod. 07 of 12 Screw In Hooks Courtesy of Manufacturer $9; amazon.com These simple screw-in hooks are perfect for hanging strings of outdoor lights, small hanging baskets, and other accessories. 08 of 12 Lima Terrain Resin Planters Courtesy of Manufacturer Lightweight, durable resin is given a weathered finish to add an earthy touch to your patio plantings. 09 of 12 Striped Lumbar Pillow Courtesy of Manufacturer Soft tan and cream stripes are a perfect match with the neutral patio furniture. 10 of 12 Natural Fiber Trim Pillow Courtesy of Manufacturer $18.99-$39.50; potterybarn.com Tan trim adds a little interest to these outdoor pillows—and each one is made with up to 15 bottles' worth of recycled plastic. 11 of 12 Natural Fiber Gusset Pillow Courtesy of Manufacturer $22; potterybarn.com These faux natural fiber pillows are made from polyester fibers from recycled plastic bottles. 12 of 12 Zebra Pillows Courtesy of Manufacturer $32; homedepot.com Bold accent pillows, like these zebra-printed options, brighten up your backyard space. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit