How To Create an Outdoor Living Space You Love
Use these patio decorating ideas to transform a lackluster outdoor living space into an inviting, comfortable area for relaxing or entertaining. Our tips for choosing patio furniture, porch cushions, solar-powered lighting, and decorative accessories will help you design an inspired outdoor retreat. Whether you want to entertain guests, spend time outside alone, or create an area for family fun, get ready for the season with our practical, easy-to-follow ideas for how to decorate your backyard living spaces.
Choose Patio Furniture That Works for You
Comfortable, durable furniture is a central element in an outdoor living area you want to spend time in, whether you’re heading to the porch alone or entertaining the entire family. When choosing patio furniture, think about the size of your space and how you’re most likely to use it. Let these ideas serve as inspiration for selecting outdoor furniture that suits your needs:
- If family time is a priority, choose spacious sectionals, patio sofas, and weather-resistant coffee tables to create a cozy, comfortable outdoor living room that can accommodate the entire family or a large group of friends.
- Just because your outdoor space is small doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it to the fullest. Many apartment balconies and small front porches can accommodate furniture designed for one or two: A single Adirondack chair or hanging hammock-style swing can be perfectly cozy, and a pair of seats creates a comfortable spot for conversation.
- If entertaining tops your to-do list, outfit your porch, deck, or patio space with a dining table or bar set designed to withstand exposure to the elements. Situate outdoor dining areas near the grill, pizza oven, or flat-top griddle to make serving meals simple.
- Multi-functional pieces help you make the most of every inch of outdoor space. A storage bench creates extra seating while concealing sports equipment, pool supplies, or spare pillows. An ottoman or pouf can also function as a coffee table, footstool, or chair.
- Accent furniture enhances the utility of your space. Outdoor side tables and garden stools provide a place to set drinks, books, or sunglasses, and can even serve as seating in a pinch.
Think beyond the porch or patio when choosing backyard furniture. With the addition of a bench, a shaded garden bed becomes a charming spot for a brief chat or early morning cup of coffee. Arrange classic, comfy Adirondack chairs around an in-ground fire pit or place a pair or a threesome of chaise lounges on the pool deck for soaking up rays after your swim.
Choosing the Best Materials for Outdoor Furniture
You can’t just put any type of furniture outdoors and expect it to last. Look for pieces designed specifically for outdoor use and made from materials that withstand exposure to the elements. Synthetic wood, resin wicker, rust-resistant aluminum, and teak are your best bets for long-lasting outdoor furniture that will look great for years to come.
Make Outdoor Furniture More Comfortable with Patio Cushions
Patio cushions make chaise lounges, Adirondack chairs, benches, and other outdoor seating options more comfortable. Whether you’re replacing old, worn-out seat pads on existing furniture or finding the best cushions to fit a new chair or chaise, you’ll want to follow a few practical steps to choosing outdoor cushions. While fit, size, and shape are all important variables to consider, how well the cushions you choose will weather the elements is also critical. The best patio cushions feature Sunbrella® performance fabrics that are stain-, fade-, water-, mold-, and mildew-resistant.
Outdoor Decor Tip: Even the most durable fabrics will experience wear and tear over time. To prolong the life of your patio cushions, invest in breathable covers or storage bags you can use to protect your outdoor furniture and cushions during off-seasons.
Customize the Ambiance on Your Patio with the Right Lighting
Landscape lights and wired wall sconces are ideal permanent fixtures for illuminating your home’s exteriors, but with solar-powered outdoor accent lights, you can instantly brighten backyard living spaces without installing wiring. Designed specifically to use on your home’s exteriors, these decorative lights will stand up to year-round exposure to the elements. When the sun sets, create the desired ambiance for your patio, porch, or backyard using these decorative outdoor lighting ideas:
- Display several hanging lanterns on backyard tree branches, suspend them from trellis overhangs, or line a path with shepherd’s hooks and lanterns to create a welcoming walkway for guests.
- Drape string lights across a patio dining or seating area to cast a soft glow over the entire space.
- Place a solar lantern at the center of a dining table, ottoman, or outdoor side table to subtly illuminate alfresco meals or conversations after dark.
Make It Personal with Outdoor Accessories and Decor
Thoughtful decorative touches impart just as much personality into your home’s outdoor spaces as they do to its interiors. Brighten your backyard, porch, or patio by incorporating color and pattern via rugs, pillows, tableware, and other outdoor accessories and decor items. Choose hues that complement the finish of your porch or patio or switch up patterns and styles to reflect the season. These patio decorating ideas will help you add a personal touch:
Choose Indoor/Outdoor Rugs for Patio Style
Indoor/outdoor rugs impart color, softness, and pattern to porches and patios, but they also help delineate different spaces for a specific use. Place an indoor/outdoor rug beneath a sectional to create a cohesive, well-defined conversation area. Or anchor your outdoor dining area with a rug that reaches just past the edges of the seats. Made with weather- and fade- resistant materials, our high-quality indoor/outdoor rugs are ideal for patio or porch use: They withstand rain, snow, and heavy traffic, but still stay attractive and soft beneath bare feet.
Outdoor Decor Tip: The right size rug for your porch, patio, or deck depends on the available space. Explore our Rug Guide for help narrowing down the best size and shape for your needs.
Cozy Up with Patio Pillows and Throws
A plain outdoor chair or sectional is much less inviting than one accented with decorative touches that beckon guests to sit and stay. Bring color and pattern to the space with patio throw pillows made from durable, weather-resistant Sunbrella® performance fabrics. Choose from bold stripes, solid hues, geometric designs, and prints inspired by nature, all available in a varied palette of appealing colors to suit your decorating style. Weather-resistant outdoor throw blankets offer extra warmth on chilly mornings or evenings. Drape one over the corner of the patio sofa for a stylish touch, or fold a few and keep them in a storage basket near the fire pit for easy access.
Dress Up Dining Spaces with Outdoor Linens and Tableware
Open-air dining doesn’t need to be at odds with elegance. Enhance meals enjoyed on the porch or patio by setting a stunning table with outdoor linens, serving dishes, and dinnerware. Outdoor tableware is typically made from wood, melamine, or other break-resistant materials—but our pieces look just as lovely and elegant as their ceramic or porcelain counterparts. Whether you’re hosting an elegant affair or a casual dinner, top weather-resistant table linens with lanterns or candles, a vase of fresh garden flowers, and outdoor dinnerware to set the scene.
Use Seasonal Door Mats to Welcome Guests
Even if your focus is on decorating backyard entertaining areas, guests may still need to go inside to refill drinks, use the restroom, or take a break from the heat. Make them feel more welcome in your home by placing a coir door mat with a charming design at your back door threshold. (Bonus: These door mats trap dirt and mud, so your guests won’t unwittingly track debris into your home.) We routinely update our collection with new seasonal designs, so you can switch up your coir door mat to fit the season or celebration at hand.
The right furniture, lighting, and accessories can transform an ordinary outdoor area into a living space where you love to spend time. Follow our tips for how to decorate your porch or patio, and then explore our other Guides to bring the same thoughtful attention to your home’s interiors.