10 Must-Have Decor Pieces For Your Outdoor Space
Warmer weather is on the way! We spend a lot of time outside as a family and have found a handful of decor items that are both practical and beautiful. If you’re looking to spruce up your outdoor space, you can do so with just a few purchases. Here are my must-have decor recommendations for your outdoor space.
A Covered Area for All Weather
One of my favorite purchases for our backyard is our patio gazebo. It makes really sunny days or rainy afternoons much more enjoyable. These hard-top gazebos are great for creating an outdoor living space without doing major construction like adding on a porch. Depending on the space in your yard and the features you’re interested in, there are so many options online that will change your outdoor living situation instantly.
2. A Modular Couch You Can Rearrange
Our modular couch and table are so helpful when hosting parties or having family over. Not only is it lightweight and easy to rearrange, but each piece can stand on its own as a separate chair or smaller couch. We typically keep our couch in a U-shape with a table in the middle. The gray and navy color scheme is timeless for spring and summer, plus it’s easy to clean. Arrange it for your needs and change it as you please.
3. Add An Outdoor Rug to Elevate The Space
Outdoor rugs are the easiest way to make the outside feel like a living space. Whether you have a wooden deck, sand, grass, dirt, or grass, a rug anchors your furniture and creates a designated seating area visually. Look for rugs that are made with polypropylene, as it’s durable and easy to clean.
4. Set the Mood with Outdoor Lighting
Never underestimate the power of adding intentional lighting, especially outside. We love our string lights because they’re easy to install and significantly brighten up the backyard at night. The bistro-style lights add an undeniable ambiance that’s unmatched. Landscaping uplighting chances you’re landscaping and for a reasonable price, makes your space look high-end. Use them strategically around flower beds, pavers, or the corners of your covered patio. While we’re on lighting, I have to mention these outdoor lanterns. I used them in front of my son’s modern farmhouse playhouse and filled them with plants. But you could fill them with candles and fairy lights for additional lighting in your backyard space.
5. A Stand-Alone Umbrella For Directional Shade
My son loves playing outside, but I worry about him getting too much sun. This directionally-adjustable umbrella provides shade all day, no matter where the sun is coming from. It stands on its own and is easy to move around the yard or patio. Add a couple of chairs or even a picnic blanket underneath the umbrella for additional seating during family gatherings. The kids love it!
6. Decorative Rain Barrels That Do Double-Duty
For those long boughs of drought and relentless sun, my outdoor plants require a lot of water. This decorative rain barrel collects rainwater so I always have a supply of water ready to go. I’ve pulled a few of my favorite similar options, which have at least one side spigot to easily use the water stored in the barrel. You can place these directly under your downspouts, especially if you have an issue with that section of the yard drying.
7. Dress Up The Yard with Flowers & Plants
There’s no shame in adding faux florals to your backyard space. The fact that you don’t have to remember to water them is a guaranteed way to get your money’s worth. Adding flowers as a pop of color around the yard can make a huge difference, while large potted plants can define a seating area that feels inviting. Hanging plants and tabletop florals will make your outdoor space feel lived in and loved.
8. Don’t Forget A Dining Space
There’s something so special about eating outside as a family, under the string lights. A full-size dining table makes it easy to enjoy dinner al fresco and host your friends and family for a dinner party. Look for a dining set that’s made of teak or a composite that’s easy to clean food messes and will hold up against the elements. Opt for 4 or 6 chairs that can also double as additional seating around the yard.
9. Include An Entertaining Area
If you love to have friends over for beer and wine nights, adding an outdoor bar, built-in cooler, or place to store outdoor dishware is a must. Perhaps you love to make s’mores, maybe a fire pit? Maybe you want to host a backyard game night complete with horseshoes, corn hole, and a bocce ball area. Whatever your hosting style is, be sure to add a functional area that makes this easier. For us, we love to roast marshmallows and sit around the fire so we got a smokeless SoloStove fire pit.
10. Cozy Touches To Make It Feel Like Home
Adding outdoor pillows and blankets will keep your guests comfortable and entice you to spend the evenings outside. A few pretty pillows makes the couch area or chairs feel extra comfy. I like to have two sets on hand - one with bright colors to use during summer and spring, and one with more muted colors for the fall. A large candle like this 3-wick Citronella candle which pulls double duty by making the space feel cozy and keeping mosquitoes away.
