55 Beautiful Backyard Decor Ideas to Create an Outdoor Oasis
From dreamy al fresco dining to poolside parties, reinvent your outdoor space on a budget.
With summer in full swing, it's the best time to appreciate the outdoors — whether it be lounging by the pool, hosting a small garden party or enjoying meals in the backyard. You may prefer a peaceful retreat for yourself, a simple setup for outdoor dining with family or a spacious gathering spot for friends. No matter how sunny or shady, woodsy or open, large or small your backyard is, we've rounded up creative backyard decor ideas to inspire your dreamy space.
As you scroll, you'll find gorgeous and well-designed outdoor spaces that parallel the style, comfort and luxury of indoor living. Get ready to fall in love with nature-inspired dining tables, plush sofas, canopy beds and fully stocked bars. And, don't forget decorative accents like outdoor rugs, candles, throw pillows and lighting fixtures that bring a backyard to the next level. We've also sprinkled in clever ways to adorn backyard walls and fences, whether it be hanging planters, mirrors or homemade banners.
For those hunting for DIY or budget-friendly solutions, we've got you covered as well. Learn how to build an outdoor counter from wood boards, turn an old bucket into a side table and embrace the "less is more" aesthetic. Plus, find designer-approved advice for crafting a cozy layout and choosing the right outdoor furniture.
Set the Stage for Outdoor Entertaining
Bring a wood table to life with chic tableware and candlesticks. Meg Young of Cailíní Coastal uses taper candle holders of varying heights and arranges them in clusters of three, then layers in fresh floral arrangements.
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Mix and Match Dining Chairs
Seating doesn’t have to be one-note. Designer Mary Patton mixed and matched wrought iron chairs, with bright yellow chairs situated at each head of the table.
Lean Into "Less is More"
To freshen up this Santa Barbara, CA, patio, Taylor Anne Bliss of Taylor Anne Interiors chose to anchor it with a striped umbrella. "A whimsical umbrella surrounded by a neutral palette gives life to any small patio space," Bliss says.
Illuminate Your Space With Lanterns
For a cozy layout that sparks conversation, go for a round seating arrangement. Take note from Ryan and Kate Gross of Kate Anne Design and hang bamboo lanterns with dimmable bulbs to enhance the space.
Make Room (in Your Budget) for a Fireplace
Don’t let cool nights keep you inside. Gather around an outdoor fireplace or fire table with "all three sets of chairs facing inward," says Christine Vroom of Christine Vroom Interiors.
Arrange an Outdoor "Living Wall"
Freshen up your patio by mounting potted plants to a blank wall, as interior designer Tori Rubinson does here. Pick a wall you can see easily from an outdoor seating area, then fill the pots with low-maintenance cascading plants or herbs.
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Set Up Poolside Seating
Lean into the summer season by arranging dining furniture right at the water’s edge. To create the ultimate retreat, choose pieces made of natural materials, like a weather-treated, all-wood table with chairs, that blend well with the surrounding greenery.
Add Some Lawn Games
Invite loved ones to enjoy some friendly competition with a round of corn hole — but don’t skimp on decor. Pepper in items like lanterns and a chic woven chair that will come in handy for quick breaks when the games heat up.
RELATED: Fun Lawn Games for Some Serious Backyard Competition
Create an Intimate Vibe With Furniture
Arrange seating in a way that encourages conversation, plus layer in tables for snacks and stools for extra seating. "The scale of furnishings helps dictate a sense of place and closeness," says Tim Pfeiffer of Hoedemaker Pfeiffer.
Create an Outdoor Counter
You can build a simple outdoor bar on a budget from 4x4 wood pieces and a treated-lumber top. Inject pops of color, advises designer Maggie Griffin to "balance the expanse of wood tones and draw the eye from the interior of the home to the exterior living areas seamlessly."
DIY Raised Garden Beds
Place wood garden beds along the edge of your yard to infuse an outdoor dining area with lush greenery. Here, Ashley Goldman of The Gold Hive plants fruit trees and florals for a pop of color.
RELATED: Inexpensive Raised Garden Bed Ideas That Are Easy to DIY
Opt for Comfortable Seating
Encourage your guests to stay a while with cushioned dining chairs layered with throw pillows. Hang string lights above, so they can relax all evening.
Build a Pergola
Whether it's for a bit of shade or to establish an "outdoor room," a pergola is a great way to elevate a backyard layout. Here, online landscape designer Yardzen uses a wood pergola in one half of the yard to designate a dining area.
Cozy Up in a Canopy Bed
Design a dreamy spot for outdoor napping, like this custom bed with a sheepskin topper. "We added the rattan seating on the opposite side along with an area rug to pull everything together for a relaxed outdoor living space," says designer Tammy Price.
Make It Romantic
Whether it's date night or an intimate family gathering, place a dining table in a quiet corner of your backyard. Then, hang some string lights to set the mood.
Use Furniture to Break Up Spaces
Create a natural flow by arranging distinct areas in the backyard, like a section for lounging, eating, drinking or playing games. Outdoor rugs are a great way to separate each zone.
Brighten the Space With a Mirror
Believe it or not, mirrors aren't just for indoors. Dress a bare white wall with a stylish mirror for an instant makeover.
Craft an Outdoor Living Room
There's no reason why you can't carry the aesthetic of your indoor living room straight outdoors. Comfortable seating, warm lighting and potted plants can do the trick.
Hang String Lights
Set the mood by draping simple string lights above your outdoor dining table. But don't stop there — add even more warmth with an oversized rug, as seen in the home of Create & Cultivate's Jaclyn Johnson.
Go for Sculptural Furniture
Sometimes less is more, especially when nature acts as a stunning backdrop. Here, concrete furniture adds visual interest, while letting a striking tree steal the show.
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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