Outdoor Living Space Ideas: How to Style Your Terrace or Garden like an Interior
Interior Styling Blog for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration
Hi, I’m Sandra, this blog is about interior styling for real homes. If you love interiors and want your home to feel stylish, pulled together, yet still personal, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll be sharing styling advice to help you edit, layer, and finish your home with confidence, alongside articles on what’s happening in the interiors world — from design events to colour stories - so you get the full picture.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
In today’s post, I’m sharing outdoor living space ideas - from hammocks and daybeds to spring tablescapes and those accessories that make outside feel like a stylish extension of your home.
Photo credit: Weaver Green
A stylish outdoor space inspires us to spend more time outside, and whether you have a balcony, decked area, courtyard, patio, terrace, or garden, you can make it just as inviting and decorative as the rooms inside your home. With a few well-chosen accessories - think gorgeous cushions, cosy throws, portable lamps, wall mirrors, pots, lanterns and outdoor rugs - you can effortlessly turn even the simplest patio into an outdoor haven. The best part is, there’s now a vast choice of outdoor furniture - like the stunning set pictured here on the sky-blue outdoor rug by Weaver Green, styled with a mix of their textured cushions which were inspired by the cool terraces of Ibiza.
Furniture, soft furnishings and accessories once reserved only for indoor living are now designed for outside. From outdoor swings to curvaceous dining sets, modern sectional sofas, and space-saving seating, there’s a wide range of options available to suit every style and budget. And with accessories, pots, side tables, and lighting, you can create a space that feels inviting - far from just a couple of chairs randomly plonked in the garden.
Styling outside is also about thinking creatively and making the most of what you already have. For my balcony, I bought a bamboo single bed frame and a memory foam mattress, covered it with a linen throw, then dressed it with cushions for a stylish outdoor daybed that doubles up as a comfy bench when friends pop over. DIY options can be great too. If you want something completely unique - or don’t have the budget for fancy furniture - have a look at my scaffolding board sofa later on in this post. An old bench can also be transformed with cushions and throws, while something as simple as a vintage wine crate with a couple of plants on top makes a budget-friendly coffee table. And if you scroll down, you’ll see how easy it is to elevate pretty much any outdoor dining table with attractive tableware, place settings, flowers, and lighting.
In this article, I’ll share with you the key outdoor accessories to style with, seating options, and outdoor lighting ideas, plus outdoor tablescapes and contemporary garden furniture, kicking things off with a beautifully styled corner created in an urban garden - proof that a vignette can work as well outside as in.
OUTDOOR CONSOLE STYLING
I thought I’d start with this image of an outdoor console table to show that a stylish outdoor space isn't just about seating areas, dining tables or water-resistant cushions; it’s also about creating a gorgeous vignette on your decking, terrace, patio or even a balcony. This vignette was styled by artist Armi Maddison in the garden of her brand-new London self-build, with the original floorboards from the old house as a rustic backdrop in the sheltered area of the outdoor terrace.
Armi styled the wooden console table with a large ceramic planter filled with heucheras, alliums and pink daisies, alongside lanterns and wire sculptures. With a vintage case tucked underneath, the whole look feels relaxed yet considered, giving a lovely country touch to an urban terrace. To find out more about styling, have a read of my post: What is Interior Styling?
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst - as seen in Modern Rustic Magazine
OUTDOOR DAYBEDS
Daybeds offer the perfect combination of comfort and design, especially when styled with decorative cushions and paired with a chic side table. They are the ideal place to lie flat out or sprawl across if you go for the larger style, like the green rope-effect daybed pictured here from Atkin and Thyme.
Whether you prefer a round cushioned model or a sleeker frame, a daybed can look fabulous in any outdoor setting. Often generous in size, they come in a range of hard-wearing materials including wicker, rattan, teak and powder-coated aluminium. Style with outdoor cushions and throws to complement the colour of the bed and make it comfy to lounge on. Scroll down to see the bamboo daybed I created from a single bed.
Photo credit: Atkin and Thyme
BRINGING YOUR INTERIOR STYLE OUTDOORS
You can absolutely make your patio feel just as thoughtfully designed and styled as your interior rooms. Your outdoor space no longer needs to be limited to typical green metal garden or traditional wicker furniture - you can choose seating, tables, lighting, soft furnishings and accessories that reflect your interior style, creating a cohesive, seamless look from inside out.
Take this terrace for example. The outdoor sofa and coffee table by Nkuku, which are made from acacia wood, bring texture, exuding a relaxed, modern rustic feel. The sofa is styled with tactile cushions and a linen throw, while potted plants, lanterns and a pouffe add those finishing touches to the patio. It’s a perfect example of how you can style your outdoor space in the same way you would an interior.
Photo credit: Nkuku
WEATHER-RESISTANT CUSHIONS
Cushions have always been my favourite accessory indoors, so I’ve been really excited to see the ever-increasing range of weather-resistant versions now available. I still remember the very first outdoor cushions - usually acrylic, slightly shiny and rarely in anything other than a single solid colour. Now they’re as impressive as their indoor counterparts.
A patterned, coloured or textured cushion can make a huge difference, even on an old wooden time-worn seat, or a built-in plaster bench, like the one pictured here. Mix and match your cushions just like you would on your sofa indoors. Here, a bold green coral print has been paired with a green-and-beige pattern in a more tactile fabric and both really pop against the bright white seating.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
EXTERIOR PENDANT LIGHTS
Outdoor pendants add texture and create an inviting atmosphere by bringing another layer to your outdoor scheme. When switched on in the evening, they become a striking feature that elevates a seating area, making your exterior space blend seamlessly with your interior.
Hanging a light in wicker, rope, or rattan, like the statement pendant pictured here by Atkin and Thyme, is a great way to create a focal point in a pergola or an outdoor covered terrace, and you can even hang it from the branch of a tree. This is the Ravello Rechargeable Rattan Pendant Light, which is made of poly-rattan so it won’t fade. It’s waterproof and hard-wearing, as well as looking incredibly stylish.
Photo credit: Atkin and Thyme
OUTDOOR SOFAS
Outdoor furniture has become so sophisticated that I recently found myself choosing an outdoor model as an accent chair for my living room. The other surprising bonus is that outdoor fabrics aren’t just beautiful in design and texture, but also incredibly hard-wearing. This contemporary sectional sofa in warm tones from a collection by Talenti is a perfect example. The striped upholstery is a nod to the outdoor tradition of stripes yet reinterpreted in a modern way. And because Talenti is Italian, you can expect that perfect blend of quality and style.
Although most outdoor upholstery is water-resistant, because I’m in the UK, I always cover mine overnight and bring the seating and cushions in over the winter.
Photo credit: Talenti
DECKCHAIRS
Deckchairs evoke that vintage leisure feel, and because they fold up, they are ideal to move around the garden to chase the sun or find that perfect quiet spot. A simple item like this will encourage you to use your outside space, whether you are sitting up reading a book or reclining back soaking up the sunshine. You can create your own stylish seating area on the lawn or in a corner of the garden with a small side table for drinks and snacks.
These foldable chairs work brilliantly on a balcony too and look great beside a swimming pool for that retro appeal. If you have a deckchair, the fabric is interchangeable, so you can update it to reflect your interior style. You could opt for a pattern with palm trees, bold stripes, or keep it classic like this elegant design with refined olive-and-white stripes from Cox & Cox, which has the benefit of a built-in pillow to make lounging even comfier.
Photo credit: Cox & Cox
EXTERIOR MIRRORS
Outdoor mirrors are a smart and stylish way to enhance your outside area. They reflect light, create the illusion of space, and make the area feel brighter and bigger. I like to use a mirror to bring the feeling of an indoor room outside, and to reflect and bounce back natural light. I added three vintage, differently shaped mirrors that I painted with boat paint to enhance a large, plain wall.
Position the mirror in a place that will capture the view of the garden or terrace and therefore give a more expansive feel, like the arched windowpane model in gold pictured here by Dibor, which reflects the garden beautifully. With rattan, vintage, windowpane, and many more choices, whatever design you prefer, a mirror adds a decorative touch.
Photo credit: Dibor
POTTED FLOWERS
I always like to have some kind of potted plant in flower on an outdoor table, as they are more than just a finishing touch - they instantly bring that fresh, outdoors feeling to the whole setting. And when you catch sight of the flowers from inside, they give that styled feel to your outdoor space and a connection to your interior.
If you don’t have potted flowers, or are in a windy spot like I am, you can always add a vase of flowers or a few stems of greenery to your table during the day instead. Spring bulbs, such as hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips, always look gorgeous potted up. Later on, repeat-flowering varieties, like the delicate tiny white baby’s breath pictured here, will give you an abundance of flowers all summer. The two stylish grey planters on the table from Lechuza are ideal because not only do they look convincingly like natural stone, they also have the added benefit of being self-watering.
Photo credit: LECHUZA
HAMMOCKS
Hammocks have been popular for decades and are both functional and stylish. If you don’t have a wall or post to attach a hammock to, you can hang one between two sturdy trees, like this gorgeous generously sized acorn print design by Weaver Green. It has been paired here with outdoor cushions for extra comfort and an effortlessly coordinated look. If you want a hammock on a terrace or don’t have a suitable tree, you can also choose a hammock mounted on a stand. Weaver Green, for example, have hammocks on an oak frame.
Photo credit: Weaver Green
MACRAMÉ HAMMOCKS
This macramé hammock was hung from a hook attached to the wall of an outdoor covered area at one end, and across to a post on the other. To make a feature of the space and create a cohesive feel, the homeowner has placed a row of various plants in macramé hanging pots, echoing the style and material of the hammock.
Unlike a hanging swing chair, which is more cumbersome, hammocks can easily be removed when not in use and folded away, making them a flexible solution.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
SIDE TABLES
This seating area for one has been made to feel special with an egg chair from Atkin and Thyme and a contemporary marble-effect side table, styled beautifully with an outdoor cushion and throw, lanterns and potted plants. The cocoon chair is a real statement piece, and it’s perfect for reading and relaxing.
Exterior side tables, like the one featured here, have become design pieces in their own right. Whether positioned next to a single chair, daybed or sofa, they add style and a modern edge to an outdoor setting. And depending on the material, you can even use side tables designed for indoors. For example, I have a stripy black-and-white ceramic interior side table I bring outside in the summer, although I still need to bring it back in at night.
Photo credit: Atkin & Thyme
BESPOKE OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Handcrafted furniture, like the driftwood set in the image here by Hidden Gem Designs, is truly unique. Whether it’s a wooden bench or a matching set complete with sofa and coffee table, the beauty of bespoke garden furniture lies not only in its exclusivity, but the fact that it can be tailored to suit your terrace perfectly. That means you can choose the perfect dimensions and ideal material, as well as cushion fabrics and finishes that complement your home’s overall aesthetic. To find out more about bespoke handcrafted furniture and home decor, check out my blog post: From Fallen Trees to Forever Pieces.
Photo credit: Steve Nyman
ALFRESCO DINING
Dining alfresco is one of life’s simple pleasures, and nothing makes the occasion more appealing than a beautifully dressed table. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or enjoying a romantic supper, you can easily create a welcoming atmosphere, setting the scene with ambient lighting from candles or outdoor lamps like the one pictured here by Sophie Allport. Even if you have an old table, you can instantly elevate it with a tablecloth like the lemon-motif design (also by Sophie Allport), which feels wonderfully summery. And it’s the finishing touches that also make an impact - this table here has been laid with matching lemon-print linen napkins, coordinated tableware and freshly picked flowers from the garden.
Photo credit: Sophie Allport
TABLESCAPE IN NEUTRAL SHADES
You can transform even the plainest of tables into a stylish tablescape with linen table runners, beautiful tableware, and a few comfy seat cushions. Homeowner Maria Myers styled the outdoor table pictured here for a shoot with the Portuguese interior magazine Casa de Portugal. She chose a palette of natural tones to complement the vast rope pendants and bring understated elegance to a simple white table.
Maria dressed the table with two linen runners laid across it, baskets of bread, and a mix of ceramic and melamine tableware. Investing in stylish yet durable melamine or bamboo crockery and shatterproof glassware offers a practical but still chic alternative to using indoor tableware outside.
Photo credit: Maria Myers @mariadelmar.lifestyle
SWING CHAIRS WITH FRAMES
With its gentle swaying motion, a swing chair offers relaxation and is a stylish addition to any outdoor setting. If you don’t have a tree and would like one of the modern egg-shaped swing chairs, there are many now available on stands which still create a focal point on a terrace or in the garden. A garden swing chair with a built-in frame combines relaxation and style, and is ideal if you don’t have a tree from which to hang a swing. With a sturdy frame, they can be moved around, allowing you to create a setting in different corners of the garden or terrace, adding a practical element while still being stylish.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
BAMBOO DAY BED
While I love the look of the spacious outdoor daybeds, I specifically required a lightweight, smaller model for my balcony. This enables me to easily bring in the bed in bad weather, especially with high winds where any item left on the balcony could potentially fly off! I, therefore, decided to choose a child’s indoor single bed frame made out of bamboo from La Redoute. This also paired with my outdoor dining table and chairs which are all made from bamboo.
I then found a slim memory foam mattress to fit the bed which was lightweight but extremely comfortable. I styled the bed with aqua-toned cushions to blend with the outdoor rug I bought from Wayfair. This particular style of daybed is useful when I have friends over as, placed against a wall, it doubles up as a stylish bench.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
OUTDOOR PORTABLE LAMPS
Portable outdoor table lamps transform an outdoor area, adding a stylish indoor touch during the day and creating soft, ambient lighting in the evening. Whether rechargeable or solar, they are now available in so many different designs and colours, like this gorgeous linen grey from Dutch brand Humble. It’s battery-powered and lasts up to 140 hours. If the lamp is an actual outdoor lamp, it will have a higher IP rating (for example, IP65) and can often withstand wet conditions. Solar lamps work well too, but they need to gain enough sunlight during the day to charge properly, so they will glow at night. If you would like to see more models, visit my post Portable Lamps, which is dedicated to cordless lamps.
Photo credit: Nedgis
DIY OUTDOOR FURNITURE
If you want your outdoor furniture to be completely unique, on a budget, and you are a dab hand at DIY, you can do as I did for my own garden and make your very own custom-made outdoor furniture. I used scaffolding planks to craft a garden bench. Once it was made, I painted it in Anthracite (a deep charcoal grey) exterior paint suitable for wood or metal.
I always like to blend rustic style with contemporary, so I repurposed a couple of wooden wine crates into tables for plants and flowers. This is easy to do: you can either paint them to match your scheme or, for a more rustic vibe, just keep them in the natural wood. Finish your DIY table with lanterns and flowering plants in concrete pots for that effortlessly stylish look.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
OUTDOOR DINING SETS
Outdoor dining is now more stylish than ever as many home stores bring their interior design trends outside. Modern designs have now transpired to outdoor dining, like the one in the image here from Daals, combining elegance with durability. Featuring weather-resistant materials such as wicker, powder-coated aluminium and teak, these dining sets are built to endure most weather conditions. Many modern designs also feature comfy seating and incorporate storage solutions for your outdoor seating pads, cushions, and throws.
Photo credit: daals
PARASOLS AND PEGOLAS
Whether you place it above a table or angle it next to a seat, a parasol is a practical and stylish way to make an outdoor space look more finished. It will also protect you from strong UV rays on those sunny days. The sunshade pictured here by the Raj Tent Club has a gorgeous Chinoiserie print created in collaboration with the V&A. If you are setting up your parasol on the lawn, if possible choose a quiet corner surrounded by trees or flowers so it feels tucked away and special. And if you have the space, you can go all out and set up an enchanting area with a parasol, seating and a small marquee, like the one pictured here.
Photo credit: Raj Tent Club
OUTDOOR WOOD-FIRED OVENS
The wood-fired outdoor oven pictured here, was a game-changer for a Dutch couple who had it built in as part of their new home in the Netherlands. The oven allows them to cook and keep warm during the autumn and spring when evenings are cooler, while they can enjoy homemade pizzas, roasted meats, and freshly baked bread no matter the season. The couple can also cook and entertain their guests without being stuck inside, making the whole experience so much more relaxed.
If you have a wood-fired oven, create a dining area sheltered by a pergola or a sail-shaped awning to make outdoor dining possible whatever the weather. Beyond the practical benefits, an outdoor oven like this one, becomes a stunning focal point on the terrace.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
EXTERIOR CURTAINS
Whether draped over a pergola or framing the edge of a covered area, outdoor curtains instantly add style and luxury to a space – giving it that five-star hotel vibe. After seeing outdoor curtains in hotels on Miami's South Beach, I copied the idea for my last house. I bought inexpensive sheers from IKEA and replaced them every couple of years, but if you want something more substantial to provide shade and protection from the elements, heavier, UV- and weather-resistant fabrics are the best option.
Curtains can be attached to the posts of a pergola, like in the image styled with a dining set from Bridgman, or hung from a metal wire that can be attached from one wall to another.
Photo credit: Bridgman
BESPOKE OUTDOOR KITCHENS
An outdoor kitchen encourages you to spend even more time outside in the fresh air. It makes it so easy to cook and dine alfresco and instantly gives that vacation vibe. The one featured here in the Netherlands was built in an undercover spot within an outbuilding, which, being sheltered, can be used even on rainy days.
The homeowners have styled the area beautifully with a mixture of plants in attractive pots, candles for evening dining and plenty of culinary herbs for cooking. With its dining nook, from prepping and serving to sitting down together, they have created an outdoor kitchen that is a seamless blend of function and style, bringing the indoors outside.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
FREESTANDING OUTDOOR KITCHENS
An outdoor kitchen is the ultimate luxury for those who love to entertain or simply enjoy their meals al fresco. It can be fully equipped, like the Grenada Outdoor Kitchen by Barker and Stonehouse pictured here, which can come with a built-in grill and sink, or a simple barbecue station with a prep area. This type of versatile outdoor kitchen is perfect for a barbecue with the family, or for full-on entertaining. And once you have one, you’ll be enjoying many more evenings outdoors.
Photo credit: Barker & Stonehouse
OUTDOOR RUGS
Outdoor rugs are the ideal way to define and elevate a seating area and really give it that feel of another room. Pair your rug with striking outdoor furniture, like the chairs and sofas in the image here from Covet House, to create an elegant exterior space. These durable rugs are available in a variety of colours and patterns and create warmth and cohesion, whether on a balcony, patio, terrace or decked area.
I have had my outdoor rug for several years, and it instantly makes my balcony an extension of my dining room. As it is made of polypropylene and polyester, it has survived all weathers; although, as I’m in the UK, I bring it inside during the winter. You can choose many different types of rugs, from a neutral, woven design to a vibrant, geometric or a vintage design, but whatever the style, ensure that the fabric is weather-resistant for longevity.
Photo credit: Covet House
WOOD-BURNING STOVES
For a cosy, all-year-round seating area, install a wood-burning stove for winter days and summer nights by the fire. This seating area in the Netherlands is the sheltered exterior of a barn belonging to furniture designer Bart van Bekhoven. In addition to crafting the wooden sofa, he installed a wood-burning stove to transform the area into a cosy indoor/outdoor room. Wood piled high acts as dividers to the garden while keeping out any cold draughts. To add to the rustic charm of the space, he has displayed two of his tree trunk tables with candles to create an atmosphere and bring additional warmth to the area.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
LANTERNS & CANDLES
We’ve looked at styling your outdoor area with table lamps and adding pendant lights to pergolas or covered areas, but another form of lighting is LED candles, like the ones from Lights4fun in the image here. This is a great way to create a magical atmosphere without the worry and hassle of actual flames. With their soft flickering wicks, these days most imitation candles look convincingly like the real thing. You can place them in lanterns, like in the image, for a timeless look and pair them with two or three candles grouped together on a surface or floor.
Photo credit: Lights4fun.co.uk ©Lights4fun Ltd
OUTDOOR ART
You can be just as expressive outdoors as you are indoors. By incorporating statement pieces and quirky sculptures, you instantly add personality, visual interest and a strong focal point to your garden. As well as freestanding pieces, wall-mounted décor is brilliant for bringing life to a plain wall. A set of sculptural wall art, like Lisa Sarah Designs’ five albatross birds in corten steel, adds a sense of graceful movement to your outdoor space. On an external wall, I hung a set of five diver sculptures, around 30cm tall and made from blackened bronze. They looked striking, were weatherproof, and were always a conversation starter when guests spotted them.
Photo credit: Lisa Sarah
OUTDOOR PLANTERS
Once you have your seating or dining table in place, what really makes any outdoor vista look and feel finished are a few planters. If your patio is in an urban area, they give you that all-important connection to nature. You can choose flowering plants that complement the flowers, plants, or shrubs already growing in your garden, or even tie in with your soft furnishings, like the crocosmia pictured here that pairs beautifully with the tones of the cushion.
Planters themselves make a huge difference, so it’s worth choosing them according to both your interior style and outdoor scheme. These sleek dark grey ones pictured here from Lechuza are a great example as they give that contemporary vibe to the whole outdoor space.
Photo credit: LECHUZA
Let’s sum up
Hopefully many of the outside spaces I’ve shared here have inspired you to create a stylish outdoor area. As you can see, it’s a great way to extend your living space and provide a welcoming spot for relaxing and entertaining - or simply for enjoying some fresh air and a connection with nature. Ultimately, a well-styled outdoor space doesn’t just look beautiful; it really enhances the way you live and adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of your home.
