As we’ve all come to realize at some point, decorating the inside of our homes can do only so much. We want to add that personalized touch to our outdoor spaces, to truly make it our own. To that end, we’ve decided to cover a handful of examples of fantastic outdoor decorating ideas!
With no specific criteria, aside a general aim for decorations that can be done at home in your outdoor settings, we set out in search of fun ideas. Whether on the patio, the garden, or just on the exterior of the home, these projects all add up to a significant makeover for any landscape.
We started looking at ideas on the more subtle end of things, sprucing up a patio space with lighting or hung decorations, before moving on to the more involved types of projects. This brief but in-depth gallery showcases both ends of this spectrum.
Sometimes the most innovative and refreshing ideas come from the most surprising places, so be sure to keep an eye out for particular aspects of these projects that truly light your fire. We particularly love the raised brick patio and container garden ideas, for example.
1. Raised brick patio
As we’ve shown before, crafting the outdoors to your imagination is easy and fun with bricks. This project involves building a simple wall around the patio, framing the space and defining it. More bricks were used to border the subtle garden surrounding the patio itself, for an organic, curved shape.
2. Hanging lights, planters, and more
If you have a sheltered or partially sheltered patio space, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to add decoration to your vertical space. One simple but effective solution involves hanging festive lights, as pictured above. You can add hanging flower baskets as well, bringing a dash of verdant life to the air.
3. Beautify your walls
With a patio that stands right up against the home, you can use those exterior walls to add color, texture, and pretty much any decoration that you’d like. Here we see some metal flower sculptures, but nearly any flat or hanging element can be attached to the outside of your home, adding style and personality to the outdoors.
4. Elegant decoration
If your home design leans more toward modern elegance than rustic charm, you might want to consider this option. The patio has been populated with contemporary outdoor furnishings, but what really completes the look are the array of subtle decorations hanging on the wall and stacked near the chairs. Sconces and sculpted candle holders can make a world of difference, especially at night.
5. Hanging lanterns
The metal balls hanging above this patio are actually ornately crafted hanging lanterns, which can be stuffed with candles for a magical effect at night. As long as you’ve got an overhang, whether it’s roof space or a discrete patio shelter, you can hang gorgeous lanterns like these and add something that looks beautiful, day and night.
6. Trellis greenery
If your particular patio is sheltered by trellis work, you may want to look into allowing some ivy to gain a foothold. This classic and natural look enhances outdoor spaces of virtually any style, adding a timeless look that can’t simply be manufactured; it must be grown!
7. Woodblock walls
While this project is a little more involved than some others on the list, the results are spectacular. Cutting out wood blocks of various depths and assembling them into this textural, eye-catching wall will net you an incredibly unique and attractive addition to your outdoor settings.
8. Large fairy garden
We’ve talked about fairy gardens before. These fantastic sculptures in miniature can be simple and quick or exhaustively detailed; the scale is up to you. They rely on natural materials and even recycled pieces of things you already may own. The best part is that, because you design them yourself, they’re one of the most personalized decorations you can make in your yard.
9. Container gardens
We absolutely love a good container garden, allowing us to add greenery and flowers to virtually any space. With careful planning and proper sized containers, you can decorate your yard or patio as exceptionally well as the home pictured above. Palms, trees, and flowers can be artfully placed for the most dramatic effect.
10. New patio furniture set
Of course, decorating your yard or patio isn’t solely the domain of DIYers. Sometimes you have more money than time, and you’re willing to spring for something spectacular to really highlight your outdoor property. A refreshingly styled patio furniture set is the perfect solution to add beauty and functionality to any outdoor space. We especially love the portable gazebo pictured above.
