Outdoor pillows, curtains, lighting, and other accessories bring the comfort and luxury of indoor living to your outdoor room. What’s more, accessorizing your outdoor room with these decorative and functional items is key to making the space feel more complete, personalized, and polished. Today there are a variety of outdoor accessories and decor to lend indoor style, comfort, and function to your outdoor living space. Dress up your outdoor room with some of the accessories below to make your outdoor room a cozy and inviting extension of your home.
Outdoor Throw Pillows and Rugs
Outdoor throw pillows and rugs are a great way to bring color and living-room comfort to your outdoor space. Made from soft yet weather-resistant fabrics, outdoor throw pillows and rugs come in an array of colors and patterns, making it easy to achieve any look you desire.
While you can certainly choose pillows and a rug that coordinate with your outdoor furniture cushions, don’t be afraid to select colors or patterns that pull from your home’s interior appearance or other areas of your backyard.
For instance, go with outdoor throw pillows that reflect the same pattern expressed in your living room furniture to create continuity between your indoor and outdoor living spaces. Or select an outdoor rug that highlights the intricate tile pattern in your pool or the beautiful color in your rose garden.
Above: A chic ivory print rug softens the stone flooring of this outdoor room and brings a warm and cozy feel to the space.
Photo courtesy of Pride Family Brands
Outdoor Curtains and Drapes
Curtains and drapes add a soft, dramatic, and unexpected touch to outdoor spaces. Available in an assortment of colors, materials, and patterns—from gauzy white sheers to opaque curtains in bold colors and playful patterns to drapes with decorative pom-pom trim—outdoor curtains can bring the whole look of your outdoor room together, as well as help divide the space from the rest of the backyard. They also offer shade from the sun and privacy from neighbors when drawn, and a framed view of your yard when tied back.
Above: Outdoor curtains can be installed in a number of ways on any covered patio or deck. Here, grommet top curtains hang from rust-proof stainless steel rods affixed to the outer beams of a pergola.
See more outdoor rooms by All Seasons Pools, Spas, and Outdoor Living, Inc. >>
Planters and Urns
Like the bright, lush greenery they hold, planters and urns are colorful accents in themselves. From rustic terra cotta and wood to elegant stone to modern metal and acrylic, planters and urns come in a wide variety of materials, shapes, sizes, and even colors. A few stylish additions can enhance the design of your outdoor room, lend a relaxing and inviting vibe to the space, and bring some of your own personality to the setting.
Along with providing a decorative accent, planters and urns can give structure to your outdoor room. Thoughtfully placed planters and urns can create a sense of enclosure, delineate an entrance or walking path, or emphasize a change in elevation. They can also be placed on risers to screen an unattractive view or add privacy.
Right: A quartet of planters enliven this elegant outdoor living room. The pair of pom-pom topiaries correspond with the room’s formal design while the yellow flowers lend surprising color and softness the setting.
Outdoor Artwork and Wall Décor
Art and wall decor add character and personality to any room—indoors or out. Clocks, paintings, sculptures, frames, and even mirrors have all been designed for exterior spaces and will help finish the look of your outdoor room.
Create an attractive focal point and make your outdoor space feel more like a room by hanging outdoor artwork or wall decor on a fence, exterior wall of your house, or above an outdoor fireplace.
Above: The simple addition of a large clock turns an exterior wall of the outhouse into an “interior” wall for the outdoor dining area, giving the space a sense of enclosure and the look of a proper indoor dining room.
Photo courtesy of Lewis Aquatech Pools
Left: A mirror outdoors is unexpected and fun and a great way to reflect the beautiful sunlight and scenery in your landscape.
An outdoor mirror can also make a small patio feel bigger or create the illusion of a window, which will further encourage the feel of being indoors.
(Editor’s Tip: When selecting art and wall décor for your outdoor room, look for items that reflect your home’s interior and architectural design style. This will establish a cohesive flow throughout your home and make your outdoor room truly feel like an extension of the indoors.)
Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus
Outdoor Lighting
Lighting options for outdoor spaces go beyond typical landscape lights and Tiki torches. Overhead and tabletop outdoor light fixtures echo the look and feel of your indoor living room and set the perfect ambiance for an evening on the patio.
Outdoor versions of floor lamps, table lamps, chandeliers, and ceiling fans are available in a variety of styles, from modern to mission to Mediterranean. When choosing outdoor lighting fixtures, consider how much light is necessary for the space.
Seating areas can suffice with the soft glow from a table or floor light; dining areas require ample illumination from an overhead fixture, such as a chandelier, pendant, or flush mount light.
Above: Alfresco meals can be enjoyed day or night in this outdoor dining room. Rows of spotlights installed on the pergola provide general illumination while two pendant lights bring concentrated light–and indoor charm—to the dining table.
Pool and spa designed by David Tisherman’s Visuals, Inc.; Photo courtesy of © Costea Photography
Candles are another outdoor lighting option and are perfect for adding a soft glow to any outdoor dinner party or gathering. Large hurricane candleholders and candle lanterns offer a safe and stylish way to light up pathways, stairs, and patio tables. You can also opt for battery-operated flameless candles if safety is a major concern.
Candle lanterns are available in many different colors and styles, so it will be easy to find ones that match your outdoor room’s décor. They’re also easy to move where you need them and require no electricity.
Right: This elegant wall-mounted candle sconce reflects both the beauty of its surroundings and the flickering amber flames of the candles—and adds sparkle and a romantic vibe to the outdoor setting.
Accent Furniture
The primary purpose of accent furniture is to accentuate a room’s décor; however, these accessories—which include outdoor coffee tables, side tables, ottomans, and garden stools—provide more than decorative value. These versatile pieces of furniture are easy to move around and help fill empty spaces to make your outdoor room more cozy and inviting. They also offer extra surfaces for your guests to rest their food or drink—or feet!
Left: A decorative garden stool is a useful accessory for any outdoor room. This lightweight piece of outdoor furniture can be easily moved around and used as an impromptu side table, extra seat, serving table, or space filler.
Storage Benches
Keeping your outdoor room tidy and organized is just as important as decorating it. Outdoor storage benches, shelves, and cabinets offer a stylish way to store items like extra pillows or cushions, candles, beach towels, pool toys, or gardening tools. Plus, a storage bench or cabinet can double as a table or extra seating for guests during outdoor dinner parties or get-togethers.
Right: Perfect for entertaining, this elegant leaf scroll bench contains a cooler inside to keep chilled beverages at hand during outdoor parties.
Outdoor Shelves
If your outdoor room is small or feels cluttered, use outdoor shelving to maximize your space and storage. An outdoor shelf adds vertical interest and handy storage to your outdoor room without taking up prime living space.
Right: This decorative wrought-iron shelf offers a handy way to keep pool towels within reach and hang wet ones out to dry. It also provides a convenient spot for guests to place their jewelry, glasses, or wallet when they’re ready to go for a dip in the pool.
