Sometimes, the great outdoors is a sprawling green lawn and towering leafy trees. Sometimes, it’s a concrete slab of a balcony. Whatever you’re working with, all it takes is one summer cooped up indoors to never take having an easily accessible, open-air spot for granted again—and if you want to make the most of it, knowing how to style your outdoor space is the best place to start.
It helps to begin by zooming out. “Whether it’s a historic brownstone or a more modern home, we always recommend looking to the bones of the space for inspiration,” say Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon of Brooklyn-based design firm Brownstone Boys. A foundation of natural stone is an invitation to go rustic, with a smattering of aged planters and a wrought-iron bistro set. A brick exterior, on the other hand, could be your sign to lean into a sleek industrial look with low-profile seating and clean lines. Designer Grace Fuller Marroquin takes a more macro view: she likes to spend at least one season in a space before making any big changes. “Think about how the colors relate to one another season after season—not just for spring or winter,” she explains.
Once you’ve mapped out the groundwork, it’s time to put together your shopping wish list. From al fresco entertaining essentials to elevated but practical furniture, here’s how designers recommend approaching your outdoor decor—and everything we recommend buying to style it out.
Mix and Match
Stone and fabric; metal and wood; rattan and terracotta—the best combinations are layered, eclectic, and a little unexpected. Start with a grouping of furniture at staggered heights (like a low bench placed next to a planter in a stand) and mix in a range of textures to achieve visual interest and depth; according to Jessica Nicastro, this is the secret to bringing dimension and warmth to any outdoor space. “It’s this interplay of materials that created a lived-in feel, giving even the smallest balcony or patio a rich quality,” she explains.
Rafe Churchill and Heide Hendricks, the principals of Hendricks Churchill (and authors of the upcoming design book Distinctly American) agree. Their preferred pairings? “An old teak dining table with metal Bertoia chairs; or, a lichen-aged, rustic Adirondack chair with an upholstered contemporary sofa.”
Don’t Limit Yourself to Traditional Furnishings
There are no rules that state your outdoor furniture has to actually look like outdoor furniture. “Vintage-inspired designs that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living help create a more curated, intentional feel, adding personality to the space,” explains Nicastro. If the idea of lugging a set of chairs inside and out every time you decide to host doesn’t appeal to you, the workaround is opting for pieces that can withstand the elements. For instance, a Swedish-inspired sturdy teak dining table, or a martini stand that looks like travertine but is actually made from concrete.
Meanwhile, smaller pieces are easier to transport. Your favorite table linens, textiles, and even decor can be mixed in to your outdoor space on an as-needed basis; no need to purchase a whole new set of rain-proof cushions. “Don’t be afraid to bring regular pillows outside!” adds Jess Weeth. “Just like a tablecloth, you can enjoy them outside and bring them in when you’re not using them.” (Though she does admit to treating her most-used items to be moisture- and fade-resistant.)
Carve Out Vignettes
“Even if you’re working with a small balcony or shared garden, creating zones helps maximize functionality,” say Slocum and Bordelon. “Think of your outdoor space as an extension of your home—just with a little more sun and fresh air.” In the same way you might create a breakfast nook within an open-concept kitchen, or put together a reading corner in a sprawling living room, try anchoring these mini areas within your outdoor space with the help of decor. Large planters, mod privacy screens, and colorful rugs help define distinct zones; for a more natural divide, use landscaping to your advantage: “Even a simple lawn can become a defined terrace by moving a path to an area framed by longer grass,” add Churchill and Hendricks.
Balance the Scale
If you’ve ever seen a particularly sparse patio or an overgrown, cluttered backyard and wondered what went wrong, the problem is simple: Its owners picked one aesthetic direction toward minimalism or maximalism, and overcommitted. To make sure your furniture and decor is in harmony with its surroundings, make sure you’re considering the weight of the pieces in relation to the landscape. “For a garden terrace or veranda, the feeling of being surrounded by plants and greenery takes well to lighter frames like iron,” explains Weeth. “For spaces with a more expansive backdrop, like water views, I look to find pieces with some degree of heft that can anchor the space, but don’t take away from the views overall.”
Sweat the Small Stuff
Landscaping and furniture may present the biggest logistical (and financial) burdens of decorating an outdoor space, but the finishing touches are just as important—after all, they’re your chance to squeeze personality and seasonal style in. While potted plants are great, cut flowers in pretty vases on punchy table linens are an underrated accessory. Weeth’s favorite summer florals are limelight hydrangeas: “I love putting fresh cut stems in a vase for backyard dinners—it makes even the more casual moments feel special.”
Then, since nothing sets the mood quite like lighting, Slocum and Bordelon suggest spending some time finding the right balance. “We always tell our clients to think of it like layering indoor lighting,” they say. “A mix of overhead string lights, lanterns, and even candles goes a long way in making an outdoor space feel cozy and intentional.” Pick out a set of hanging lights and round it out with affordable tapers for lazy summer dinner parties that go late into the night.
