7 Ways to Update Outdoor Decor for Summer Entertaining
Summer brings sunny skies that will inevitably entice you—and your guests—outside. Welcome warm weather when you outfit your outdoor living space using our summer decor ideas for your backyard, patio, deck, or enclosed porch area. Sweep off the floor, dust off the cushions, and break out seasonal outdoor decor and tableware to create a space you can enjoy all summer long. Whether you prefer to relax or entertain while outdoors, make the most of your home’s exterior spaces with these easy patio, balcony, porch, and deck decorating ideas.
1) Swap Out Patio Cushions and Pillows for Summer Hues
When warm weather returns, you can refresh your outdoor decor just as you update indoor seasonal accents. Our weather-resistant pillows and cushions come in a variety of colors and designs, so you can choose options that fit the season. Consider these summer color palette ideas when choosing outdoor cushions, pillows, and other textiles that create a homey atmosphere.
- Bold stripes in high-contrast hues—think navy or red and white—bring an undeniably nautical vibe to your pool deck or back porch. Opt for maritime-inspired chaise cushions or printed throw pillows to infuse the space with a little color—and a lot of comfort.
- Embrace classic summer style with bold or subtle floral prints in beautiful colors that speak to the season.
- Look for colors that evoke the season—think sunny yellow, nautical navy, cool sky blue, leafy greens, or bright oranges that bring to mind summer’s bold hues.
2) Make Guests Comfortable with Intentional Accents
Decorative accents and furniture elevate your home’s ordinary exterior areas into beautiful, inviting outdoor living spaces. Outdoor side tables, garden stools, or sturdy storage containers provide extra seating or a practical spot for guests to place drinks or plates while mixing and mingling. If your porch, patio, or deck lacks shade, an outdoor umbrella can make the space more comfortable on sunny summer afternoons. Choose canopy designs in colors and patterns that complement your seasonal and year-round decor. For a finishing touch, drape a colorful outdoor throw across the corner of your patio sofa or the back of an Adirondack chair so guests can easily grab it for warmth on cool evenings.
3) Add an Outdoor Coir Doormat or Colorful Rug
Whether you’re refreshing an apartment balcony or front porch, don’t forget to look down when updating your outdoor space for summer. A door mat in a seasonal design brings cheer to your home’s exits or entryways. We update our coir door mat designs every season, so you’ll find a wide range of options for any time of year. If you prefer a neutral welcome mat, layer one rug atop a slightly larger outdoor rug in coordinating seasonal colors. This budget-friendly outdoor decor item offers a low-maintenance, low-price way to update the look of your entryway, porch, or balcony for a new season.
4) Set a Seasonal Table with Outdoor Dinnerware
Lightweight, unbreakable melamine dinnerware makes summertime entertaining easy. Invest in a coordinating set of plates, cups, serving dishes, and flatware to take your alfresco meals to the next level. Arrange them atop weather-resistant table linens to create the perfect table setting for summertime entertaining.
The best part about outdoor table linens? You don’t necessarily have to take them off when not in use, especially on a covered porch or patio area. You can use the bright colors and seasonal patterns on placemats, a table runner, or a tablecloth to coordinate with patio pillows, outdoor rugs, and other textiles used in your home’s exterior entertaining areas.
Pro Tip: Outdoor tableware isn’t only for food. Get creative with how you use these items to breathe new life into your summer patio decor: A melamine pitcher or acrylic drinking glass can pull double duty as a vase for fresh flowers gathered from your garden—the perfect centerpiece for family dinner outside or a poolside happy hour. Or, use a melamine plate or platter as a decorative tray in the center of a patio coffee table or outdoor pouf.
5) Find the Right Outdoor Lights for Summer Living
When summer invites you to start enjoying your porch, patio, or deck again, take steps to make it suitable for entertaining or lounging even after the sun sets. String lights draped across a patio or deck create a magical ambiance for temperate evenings, and warm white or colorful bulbs complement the inviting atmosphere. Use solar-powered lanterns to cast a soft glow across a dining table during meals or brighten patio side tables for laid-back evenings spent lounging on an outdoor sectional.
6) Highlight Summer Blooms All Season Long
If you’ve spent all spring making your garden look as lovely as possible, give the area all the attention it deserves. Hang outdoor lanterns on shepherd’s hooks around the perimeter of the yard so your favorite plants and flowers can be seen even after sunset. These stylish outdoor lights make lovely summer garden decor, adding extra depth, color, and dimension to your landscape design. You may also shine a solar-powered or hardwired spotlight on specific flora, shifting guests’ focus to your most prized plants.
7) Don't Overlook Smaller Spaces, Either
Find inspiration in balcony decorating ideas when refreshing small spaces for summer. The same principles can work whether you’re breathing new life into large outdoor areas or apartment balconies, courtyards, and compact spaces. Focus on color, pattern, and functionality when choosing outdoor decor and accents to update your small-space design for the season: Instead of swapping neutral patio pillows for bright seasonal patterns, add a pop of color via a potted flowering plant centered on a slim balcony table. Outdoor accent rugs are available in a range of sizes and can be excellent, budget-friendly options for subtle summer style.
These outdoor decor ideas are applicable whether you’re furnishing a sprawling lakefront patio or an apartment balcony in a city. Simply scale our suggestions to suit your space and transform any outdoor area into a relaxing backyard oasis you can enjoy all summer long. For more tips on making the most of your home, indoors and out, explore our other Guides.