26 Outdoor Decor Ideas to Turn Your Yard Into a Relaxing Oasis

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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.

7 Designer-Approved Patio Decorating Tips01of 26Add a structure to your outdoor spots

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Trellises, pergolas, awnings, and other structures can help define your lounge or dining areas, and allow you to create natural shade and privacy with climbing plants or by hanging fabric over it and installing outdoor curtains. Bonus: It also creates a place where you can hang lanterns and lights to make outdoor entertaining even better at night.

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Invest in essential patio furniture pieces, like an offset umbrella, table, and chairs in a simple monochromatic palette. That way, you can change up the look on the cheap by adding colorful accessories.

Want to add a touch of fun to your outdoor space? Cue the colorful accents. This patio gets a bold pick-me-up from cushions in vibrant colors (tangerine, blue) and modern prints–along with the vibrant colors from the patio plants.

The 20 Best Places to Buy Patio Furniture of 202304of 26Think about nighttime lighting

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There’s more than one way to light up the night—and your best bet is to include a few different lighting options to give your backyard a beautiful glow. Add hanging paper lanterns or glowing bistro lights to cover a patio, string lights to highlight a favorite tree, candles or lanterns for up-close light for guests, and even more permanent options like chandeliers for a dedicated outdoor space.

9 Brilliant Backyard Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Outdoor Space05of 26Design with all your senses in mind

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Sure, you want your outdoor decor to look beautiful, but don’t leave the other four senses out. Add flowers to your garden that will release their fragrance 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 comfortable.

7 Fragrant Flowers That Make a Garden (or Bouquet) Smell Amazing06of 26Make everyone more comfortable

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Invest in a high-quality fire pit—or even a gorgeous outdoor fireplace—to help keep everyone cozy on cool nights (and make s’mores making even easier).

9 Trending and Totally Fun Backyard Ideas to Enhance Your Space07of 26Consider a porch swing

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Longing for your own special escape? Suspend a swinging seat bench in the corner of a wooden deck or on your front porch to help you breeze through those lazy days of summer.

08of 26Add an intimate seating spot

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Even if you don’t do much outdoor entertaining (or don’t have a lot of space for a table for 10), 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.

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Daybeds make the perfect lounge spot for an afternoon siesta—or for entertaining your crew. Invest in a few pretty pillows to make the space extra comfy.

10of 26Don’t forget a hammock

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Create an intimate nook for lounging, reading, or just zoning out. Find a spot in the trees to suspend a pretty garden hammock.

How to Hang a Hammock—Follow Our Easy Guide and Tips11of 26Repurpose indoor items outdoors

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Outdoor furniture is made to survive, rain or shine. But if you’re entertaining a crowd and don’t have enough outdoor seating, there’s no reason you can’t move indoor decor outdoors temporarily. Break out your dining room chairs or benches, a lounge chair, or create a cozy lounge spot on the ground with a rug, a coffee table, and a few cushions. (Just make sure you bring it all in before the rain falls.)

12of 26Match the outdoor decor to your indoor style

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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 trio of punchy colored chairs can instantly brighten up a stone yard.

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

How to Create More Shade in Your Backyard14of 26Bring more nature onto your patio

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You don’t have to have a lot of land (or any!) to add a little greenery to your outdoor space. Place potted plants and flowers on your patio, and grow tall shrubs or climbing plants nearby to create a dramatic backdrop. Choose plant pots that’ll go with your outdoor decor style—whether that’s terra cotta for an earthy, Mediterranean vibe, or bold painted planters for a more modern touch.

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Ensure your dining space fits in with the great outdoors by opting for natural materials like a teak table and wicker chairs.

5 Factors to Consider Before Buying Patio Furniture, According to the Pros16of 26Opt for mix and match seating

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Repaint vintage outdoor chairs (or new finds) in the same palette to create some uniformity—and put the focus on the fun shapes you’re using.

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The outdoors is where you can shake things up and have a little fun. 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.

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Have a small (or nonexistent) patio? Move the dining table into the garden so guests can enjoy your landscaping along with your hospitality. (You can set up temporary shade with sturdy poles and fabric .)

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All you need is a grill or pizza oven, a little counter space (a potting table works great) and some clever storage to give you everything you need to create an outdoor feast.

20of 26Create an outdoor living room

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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 patterned pillows.

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Fences or walls are only one option when it comes to enclosing and creating a private space. You can opt for outdoor curtains, bamboo privacy screens, or tall plantings to create a little private piece of heaven.

22of 26Think vertically

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If you’re short on outdoor space, just look up. Hanging flower baskets, trellised plants, plant stands, and tall outdoor shelving give you the space for gardening in tight quarters and keeping everything you need at hand.

16 Small Backyard Ideas for a Dreamy Outdoor Oasis23of 26Create the perfect outdoor bar

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Whether you opt for a simple bar cart, or spring for a deluxe bar setup, you’ll have the perfect spot for an impromptu happy hour with friends.

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Make your patio the place to be with an outdoor feature that brings everyone to your yard. Consider a projector and screen for outdoor movie nights, an outdoor game like bocce or volleyball (or even an outdoor grade pool table!), or a major upgrade like a hot tub or sauna.

9 Trending and Totally Fun Backyard Ideas to Enhance Your Space25of 26Get creative with your shed

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A backyard shed can be more than just storage for your garden tools. Turn it into a yoga studio, a cozy reading nook, or a place to hang out with your friends.

26of 26Change it out for the seasons

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Your patio look doesn’t have to stay the same as you head into fall. Update with cozier, fall-hued pillows and throws, and add in pumpkins, mums, and other autumnal accessories.

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