31 Beautiful Outdoor Decor Ideas for Your Backyard

Add structure to your outdoor spot

Trellis, pergolas, awnings and other structures can help separate lounge and dining areas, while climbing plants can provide natural shade and privacy, or hanging fabric can provide outdoor draperies. Bonus: They also create a place to hang lanterns or outdoor string lights, making outdoor entertaining even more fun at night.

Incorporating portable elements

Sure, a fireplace can add a cozy touch to your outdoor space, making the transition from day to night more pleasant and encouraging people to get outside, but a portable fireplace can also add flexibility to your garden.

Portable fire pits, like this popular one from Solo, can add warmth to any gathering area, not just designated fire pit areas, says Allison Messner, founder and CEO of Yardzen. Move it next to the dinner table to create an ambiance that heat lamps can't create, or attach it to a second gathering area for larger gatherings.

Simple basics

Invest in patio furniture essentials like offset umbrellas, tables and chairs in a simple, monochromatic palette, so you can inexpensively change up the look by adding colorful accessories.

Adding color

According to Messner, we're seeing a colourful revolution in garden design: “Moving away from traditional neutral colours only, our clients are seeing a 64% increase in incorporating vibrant colours in both plants and furniture. Create a personalised colour story that fits naturally into your area and décor. We're looking at vibrant furniture, doors and plants,” she says.

Think about night lighting

There's more than one way to brighten up the night, and incorporating a few different lighting options is the best way to give your backyard a beautiful glow. Cover your patio with hanging lanterns or glowing bistro lights, illuminate your favorite tree with string lights, light up your guests from up close with candles and lanterns, or even create a dedicated outdoor space with a more permanent option like a chandelier.

Designed with the senses in mind

Of course, you want your outdoor décor to look beautiful, but don't neglect the other four senses: Plant a garden with fragrant flowers around your patio, add wind chimes or a babbling water feature to create soothing sounds, and choose soft throws, pillows, and rugs to make everything feel cozy.

Build a gorgeous fire pit

If you do If you have the budget and space, invest in a quality fire pit or gorgeous outdoor fireplace to keep everyone warm on cooler evenings (and make making s'mores even easier).

Consider a porch swing

Looking for your own special escape? Hang a swinging bench in the corner of your wooden deck or on your front porch for comfortable relaxation on lazy summer days.

Add a relaxing seating area

Even if you don't often host outdoor parties (or don't have space for a table that seats 10), it's nice to have a place to enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon lemonade. Choose weather-resistant materials and provide enough seating so a few guests can drop by.

Install a small pool

As the temperatures rise and you want to escape the heat, having a pool in your backyard is the ultimate luxury. But buying one doesn't have to cost a fortune, says Messner. She says the latest pool trends have smaller footprints and are more affordable than their more expensive predecessors.

Pop-up pools, above-ground plunge pools, and “cowboy” pools (also known as stock tank pools) are a great way to add water to your outdoor space at a fraction of the cost, without sacrificing style and ease of use.

Create a great place to sleep

A daybed is the perfect lounging spot for an afternoon nap or entertaining pals, so invest in some lovely pillows to make the space even more comfortable.

Don't forget your hammock

Create a cozy spot to relax, read or just hang out. Find a spot to hang a nice garden hammock among the trees.

Repurpose indoor items for the outdoors

Outdoor furniture is built to withstand rain or shine. But if you're hosting a large crowd and don't have enough space to seat outdoors, it's okay to temporarily move some of your indoor decor outside. Bring out your dining room chairs, benches, and lounge chairs, or create a cozy lounge space on the ground with a rug, coffee table, and some cushions. (Just be sure to bring it all inside before the rain arrives.)

Match your outdoor décor to your indoor style

Minimalists are in luck: your outdoor space can be used however you want it. Three brightly colored chairs can create a casual reading or conversation spot to instantly brighten up your stone garden.

Plant a mocktail garden

Are you part of the crowd hoping to enjoy a drink while sober? Messner suggests creating a mocktail garden, similar to the pandemic-era popular cocktail versions, except the vegetables and herbs aren't mixed with alcohol after they're harvested. “Try creating a fragrant nojito or a tangy cucumber and basil smash right in your own backyard,” Messner explains.

Ready to get started? Grow classic plants like peppermint, thyme, and basil, or grow unique hybrid varieties like orange mint and lemon thyme to encourage experimentation in your bar.

Create shade

If your outdoor space doesn't have an awning, you can make your own using a white fabric canopy. (Patio umbrellas are also an easy, inexpensive way to keep everyone under cover.)

Bring more nature into your patio

You don't need a lot of land (or anything at all) to add a touch of greenery to your outdoor space. Place potted plants and flowers on your patio and plant tall shrubs and climbing plants nearby to create a dramatic backdrop.

Choose plant pots that fit your outdoor decor style, like terracotta for a rustic Mediterranean look or bold painted planters for a modern feel.

Use natural materials

Choose natural materials like a teak table and wicker chairs to give your dining space an outdoor feel.

Combine and choose your seat

Repaint some vintage outdoor chairs (or new finds) in the same palette to create a unified look and bring focus to the fun shapes you're using.

Plant a butterfly garden

We're big fans of butterfly gardens, and Messner agrees: By incorporating butterfly-friendly plants into your garden, you create an ecosystem that supports the butterfly's life cycle, feeding them at key stages and encouraging them to stick around.

Messner recommends adding varieties of nectar-rich plants with wide, open inflorescences or long panicles, such as sedum, echinacea, bee balm, and yarrow. These plants provide good places for plants to land and feed. “If you want to see plants up close, incorporate a few container gardens with suitable plants on your patio,” says Messner. “The vibrant colors will add depth to your garden while also drawing your favorite pollinators to your front door.”

Don't be afraid to go bold with colors

The outdoors is the place to be for something different: brighten up a patch of lawn with colorful accents like a red dining table, strings of vibrant lights and magenta Chinese lanterns.

Think Beyond the Patio

Got a small patio (or no patio at all)? Move your dining table out into the garden so your guests can enjoy the view as you entertain. (You can also create temporary shade with sturdy poles and fabric.)

Create an outdoor kitchen

Grilling is a staple of summer entertaining, but it doesn't end there. Messner says that small pizza ovens, smokers and stoves are easier than ever to use, making it easy to create delicious food in your backyard. Set up your favorites as part of your outdoor kitchen, or keep it simple with a sturdy outdoor table and tabletop option like the Solo pizza oven.

“To facilitate an outdoor dining experience with guests, set up the countertop close to the table and spark conversation while the magic happens,” adds Messner.

Create an outdoor living room

Dreaming of a lounge area for reading, writing or socializing with guests? Let your decor center around an essential piece: your sofa. A traditional rattan sofa can be instantly transformed with some patterned cushions.

Add privacy

Fences and walls are just one option for enclosing and creating a private space: you can also opt for outdoor curtains, bamboo privacy screens and tall plants to create your own little private haven.

Think vertically

If you're short on outdoor space, look up: hanging flower baskets, trellis plants, plant stands and tall outdoor shelves can help you create gardening space in even the tightest areas and keep everything you need close at hand.

Create the perfect outdoor bar

Whether you choose a simple bar cart or a fancy outdoor bar setup, you'll have the perfect spot for an impromptu happy hour with friends.

Adding fun features

Make your patio a fun place to gather and entertain with outdoor amenities: Set up a projector and outdoor movie screen for moonlit movies, play outdoor games like bocce or volleyball (or even an outdoor pool table), or consider a big upgrade like a hot tub or sauna.

Planting cut flowers

Who doesn't love having fresh flowers displayed throughout their home? By carefully selecting fragrant blooms that bloom one after the other, and combining different scent profiles like jasmine, lavender, and mint, you can create a garden that not only pleases the eye, but also provides a delightful sensory experience all year round.

Messner suggests strategically placing these plants near walkways and seating areas to enhance the experience and transform your garden into a haven for the senses.

Creative use of a shed

A backyard shed can be more than a place to store gardening tools: you can turn it into a yoga studio, a cozy reading corner, or a place to hang out with friends.

Change it up with the season

Just as autumn approaches, your patio doesn't have to stay the same. Update it with cozier, autumnal colored cushions and throws, and add autumnal accessories like pumpkins and chrysanthemums.