Get a jumpstart on spring entertaining with new inspiration for outdoor decor with farmhouse style. With rustic accents and galvanized touches, you can decorate your porch, patio, deck or balcony as you spruce up your outdoor space.
That way, when it’s time to move your relaxation time outdoors, you’ll be ready with comfortable farmhouse style patio furniture, well-placed lighting and all the essentials for entertaining.
Get Set
Farmhouse is a design style focused on practicality, simplicity and rustic charm. It reflects the aesthetics of rural architecture, cozy accessories and delightful imperfections. Farmhouse blends the whimsical and homey feel of country living with modern comforts that bring a sense of relaxation to your space.
Wood elements, white tones and distressed finishes provide a sense of history and an inviting lived-in feeling to a farmhouse style space. Outdoors, farmhouse style relies on the beauty of surrounding nature merged with the comfort of plenty of seating, soft lighting and a cozy blanket that’s never too far out of reach.
Think spring and get your outdoor table set with farmhouse elegance. Start with a patio dining set with farmhouse charm and plenty of comfortable chairs for guests. Look for tables with beautiful wood grain, multi-toned wicker and soft edges. Pair your new patio set with farmhouse-style cushions and pillows. Opt for natural tones mixed with bright pops of color. Mix in soft whites and intricate details for that homespun feel. Most outdoor cushions are made with stain-, mildew- and fade-resistant fabric.
When weather cooperates, you’ll be ready to break out the dinnerware for dining alfresco. Consider charger plates, too, for a layered table.
Underfoot, pair your furniture with a brightly colored outdoor rug that resists stains and cleans in a snap.
Build a Layered Look
Of course you can go all out to get the look you desire, but you can also add to your outdoor sanctuary over time. Start small with a glider, patio conversation set or bistro set, then add a few pieces each season. Little by little, your outdoor room will come together with decor pieces such as extra outdoor throw pillows, poufs and a patio side table or garden stool.
You can also add an outdoor statue or a birdhouse to your space. The birds will thank you later for their new nest.
See the Light
Add instant ambiance to your outdoor space with galvanized lanterns and other outdoor lighting. Well-placed lighting gives your outdoor space an intimate look.
Mix candles, lanterns, string lights and overhead lighting to create a magical space that can be used well after the sun sets. Ceiling fans help circulate warm air to keep visitors cool and comfortable. Pathway lighting is the best way to create a path around your yard that leads to beautiful landscaping, water features or hidden places to unwind. Farmhouse lighting tends to have a warm, golden glow and a timeless design. Pair wicker hanging lanterns with galvanized wall scones and sparking ground lights.
Tip: Look for solar lighting or sets that pair with timers to automate your outdoor lighting.
Find Space to Lounge
Even if you live in a space without a pool or lawn, relaxation is important. Create your own tranquility space in your outdoor retreat. Unwind in a chaise lounge, add extra throw pillows and a throw blanket, and you’re ready for a nap.
Consider adding a mister fan to keep cool during the hottest summer months or a heat lamp to get the most use out of your space, well into the fall. To protect yourself from the strong afternoon sun, grab a farmhouse-style backyard umbrella to make your cozy retreat shady.
Finishing Touches
Add plants and lush landscaping to your outdoor space:
- Prepare a pair of planters filled with heat-resistant and low-maintenance flowers and other plants. Think lovely flower spikes clad in shades of red, purple and white that thrill and will appear non-stop all summer.
- For a dramatic effect, tuck heat-tolerant spillers inside the edges of containers to allow them to cascade over the side. Ornamental sweet potato vines add burgundy or chartreuse to your planter. Plant coleus in containers kept in shady spots. Coleus never fail to brighten outdoor living areas with their bold-colored leaves that look like stained glass.
- Large containers retain soil moisture better than small ones, so bigger containers are better for summer flowers.
- Define your farmhouse space outdoors with lush, vibrant landscaping featuring soft edges, billowing leaves and eye-catching colors.
- Use a mix of your favorite annuals to create a wild natural look that continues to grow and flourish year and year.
- Use vining plants on and a trellis to provide visual interest. Consider making an archway or tunnel covered in flowering vine plants to create a magical entrance to your outdoor oasis.
Other finishing touches you could add include:
- Nothing invites guests to spend a little more time outdoors with you better than a fire feature. To create a farmhouse-style fire pit, pair a metal fire pit with light-stained Adirondack chairs. Add a layer of light-gray gravel over the firepit area.
- Create a charming path to the firepit using natural-edge pathway stones and solar pathway lighting. Stock your firepit area with plenty of outdoor-friendly blankets and pillows. Keep some roasting sticks close by, along with an ample supply of firewood.
- Tie your space together with thoughtful finishing touches such as the addition of a rustic birdbath for a neighborhood avian spa.
- Use soft, squishy pillows, poufs and floor cushions to ensure you’ve got plenty of cozy space for anyone who stops by.
- Invest in some low-key lawn games to make memories with family and friends. The key to a farmhouse space is to make them charming and welcoming. By mixing materials, colors, patterns and wood finishes, you’ll make a space that stays stylish and comfortable through any season of the year.
Transform your backyard space into a farmhouse oasis filled with charming touches, rich tones and welcoming seating. With a bit of work and know-how, you can make any space welcoming and warm quick and easy. Find everything you need to get farmhouse style for your outdoor space. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.