Get Your Outdoor Spaces Ready for the Season

Decks with larger footprints are the perfect spots for outdoor sectionals, which offer plenty of space for lounging and relaxing. Modular options also make it easy to move seats as needed. For gatherings, arrange your seating to encourage conversation—circle seats around a cocktail table and anchor the setup with an area rug. Keep refreshments handy with a bar table or sideboard; provide snacks and drinks along with plates, glasses, flatware, bottle openers, corkscrews, and cocktail stirrers. For daytime soirees, place canopy umbrellas in strategic spots to provide shade; for evening events, add some glow with outdoor lamps and lanterns or a freestanding fire pit.

Cozy patios call for conversation sets—select individual loveseats and chairs or choose a patio set for an all-in-one setup. Stone and concrete patios can get hot in the sun—use an outdoor rug to keep things cool underfoot; patio umbrellas are also great choices for providing shade. When the temperature drops after dark, blankets, throws, and an outdoor fireplace are just the tickets.

A chaise lounge is the iconic poolside piece, ideal for kicking back and catching some rays by the water’s edge. Pool furniture has to be tough to withstand seasons of sun, chlorine, and SPF—look for cushions made with durable, quick-drying fabrics and sturdy bases made from weather-resistant woods, plastics, or metals. Side tables keep drinks, magazines, and sunglasses corralled while you’re in the water and an umbrella with fringe, scallops, or a poppy color adds to the tropical vibes.

Decorating seasonally often means bringing the outdoors in, but decorating a porch can mean bringing the indoors out. Think about mirroring your indoor living room outside: Choose comfy loveseats and rocking chairs, add a coffee table, and use an outdoor lamp to create ambiance.

Do not underestimate the potential of your front or back steps—they are made for casual hangs! A petite bistro set can give chic Parisian cafe vibes; a low-profile outdoor ottoman or garden stool can also provide a great perch. A warm-weather doormat is a super-easy upgrade, as is a wall-mounted outdoor lantern. Lean into the lushness of the season with slim or hanging planters brimming with flowers and greenery.