Well-decorated outdoor spaces lend comfort and beauty that you can enjoy all year round. Whether it’s blooming flowers in spring or falling leaves in autumn, updating your décor when seasons change is a great way to reflect the shift in nature. In this article, we share outdoor decoration ideas to make your al fresco areas cozy and inviting for every season.
Spring
Vibrant Florals
Artificial flowers let you surround yourself with nature’s beauty all year long. Dress up your al fresco areas with florals in soft, pastel colors. Use shades that match or complement your exterior furnishings for a cohesive look. To make their beauty last longer, we recommend displaying them for up to three months a year.
Outdoor Soirée
Hosting an Easter brunch? Spruce up your buffet and dining tables with floral arrangements or a flower wreath as a centerpiece. Use napkins or placemats in the same color scheme to tie the look together. For spring nuptials, browse our wedding accents to create a stunning background for your special day.
Spring Scents
Remind guests of refreshing memories with fruity and floral spring scents. Infuse the air with the delightful aroma of rose petals, sweet magnolias, or citrus and parsley. Our premium fragrance oils are available as a set of three 0.5 oz. bottles. Use them with our Scents of the Season™ Fragrance Machine to set the mood for your gatherings.
Summer
Soft Textures
Catch up with friends and family while relaxing on cushioned seats. You can also layer pillows on the ground and around a low table where everyone can lounge. Swap out your heavier textiles like blankets and throws for pieces made from lighter materials such as cotton or linen.
Zesty Hues
Choose brighter yellows, oranges, and blues to make your al fresco areas more vibrant and summery. If you prefer a softer look, use pastel shades such as lilacs and pinks mixed in with white items. This way, the little pops of color will serve as an accent rather than a primary color.
Bright Ideas
Keep summer outdoor celebrations going until nighttime with flameless candles on dining tables and lanterns on patio steps. Use waterfall lights to illuminate wider spaces and pathway lights to brighten up walkways. You can also tuck light strings into a lantern or set them around a smokeless fire pit to create a charming scene.
Fall
Autumn Blooms
Usher in the harvest season with colorful wreaths, garlands, and potted arrangements. Use different foliage in complementing colors to create visual interest. Another good decorative front porch idea is to dress up your entryway with the same type of foliage for a uniform look.
Cozy Evenings
If your chairs are made of wood or steel, use cushions for comfort then lay down some pillows and throws. Set up a basket of blankets to keep everyone warm on chilly nights. Arrange candles or lanterns in different heights and set them on tabletops or steps to add a warm glow to the space.
Fall Scents
The right fragrances play a big part in creating the perfect atmosphere for your gatherings. Take a cue from nature and fill your spaces with the best autumn aromas like pumpkin spice, freshly harvested apples, woodsy notes, and warm cinnamon.
Harvest Gatherings
Celebrate the many holidays throughout fall without having to constantly change your décor. pumpkins are autumn staples that also work for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Set them on your outdoor dining table along with fall greenery and candles to set the mood.
Winter
Festive Foliage
Hang outdoor Christmas wreaths and garlands on your doors and window frames. Complete the look with swags and hanging baskets along with a pair of topiaries flanking both sides of the door. If you have enough space, you can also display an outdoor-safe Christmas tree as the focal point of your porch or backyard décor.
Dazzling Display
A beautiful patio string light idea is to frame doors or wrap columns with LED lights. You can also hang them from the ceiling along with artificial greenery to add holiday cheer to the space. Place lanterns and lighted outdoor decorations like life-size holiday figures or Christmas silhouette lights on porch steps.
Candlelight Glow
Candles create a dramatic effect to any setting, whether they’re pillars, votives, or tealights. Group several together and display them on side tables or place them in lanterns and set them on your porch and patio steps. If you’re hosting a dinner party outdoors, they’re a great way to add light and movement to the table.
Christmas Feast
If the weather permits, the back patio is a lovely spot for entertaining people. Use a decorated garland as your centerpiece then add candles of varying heights to add dimension to your table setting. Set your themed tableware and finish with a handwritten place card or party favor for a personal touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we answer more of your questions on seasonal outdoor decorating.
How Do You Decorate Outdoor String Lights?
Wrap outdoor Christmas lights around trees and greenery. If you’re hanging light strings on the roof, use a tape measure to know the length of the section first. For a cascading light effect, make sure there are even spaces between light string placements then secure lights using hooks or window clips.
How Do You Decorate Outdoors?
When decorating outdoors, follow your interior theme to make everything seamless. Another idea is to have a few staple pieces up all year round. For example, an undecorated wreath or topiary can be embellished with accents according to the season. Lights and candles can also be used in any season. Suspend the lights from your roof gutters or wrap them around greenery to brighten up spaces at night
Where To Get Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Balsam Hill’s selection of outdoor-safe Christmas décor is perfect for creating a warm welcome. We have a wide array of seasonal pieces, from holiday greenery and yard decorations to outdoor lighting options.
Learn More
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