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

Outdoor seating area with fireplace decorated with spring wreath, garland, and hanging basket

FEATURED: OUTDOOR ENCHANTED GARDEN FOLIAGE

Spring doesn’t just mean blossoming flowers and warmer days. For some, it’s also the perfect time to host gatherings for friends after a long winter. From casual get-togethers to sophisticated celebrations, here are helpful outdoor entertaining tips and spring garden decoration ideas.

White front door and window decorated with lavender and pink artificial floral garland, wreath, window box, hanging planter, and potted arrangement

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.

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Dessert table spread decorated with pink and purple artificial flower arrangement and wreath

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.

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Light brown front door decorated with artificial Christmas greenery and topiaries

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.

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READ NEXT:

SPRING OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING & DÉCOR IDEAS

THE BEST ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS FOR WEDDING DÉCOR

MOTHER’S DAY DECORATING IDEAS

SUMMER

Outdoor seating area and fire pit with patio entryway decorated with blue and yellow artificial floral wreaths, garlands, hanging baskets, window boxes, and potted arrangements

FEATURED: OUTDOOR SUMMER BREEZE FOLIAGE

Sunny days are perfect for spending time outside making memories. Whether you’re hosting brunch or roasting marshmallows on your outdoor fire pit, here are helpful outdoor summer decorating ideas.

Outdoor seating area decorated with red and yellow artificial flower garlands, wreaths, and hanging baskets

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.

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Artificial potted flowers with gerberas, cornflowers, wildflowers, ivy, and pomegranates set on brick steps with lemons in a basket

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.

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Outdoor dining table decorated with faux candles and yellow and green artificial floral arrangement set in a wooden planter

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.

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READ OUR GUIDE TO SUMMER & SPRING GREENERY

READ NEXT:

WHY CHOOSE ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS: THE BALSAM HILL GUIDE

DECORATING WITH REAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS

HOW TO CARE FOR ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS

FALL

Outdoor fall décor with autumn foliage and pumpkins

FEATURED: AUTUMN ABUNDANCE FOLIAGE

Make the most of the autumn weather by entertaining guests on your porch, patio, or backyard. With just a few outdoor fall décor pieces to accentuate your furniture, you can create an al fresco setting that will inspire unforgettable moments.

Front porch décor idea with autumn wreaths, garlands, and urn fillers

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.

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Exterior doorway decorated with fall wreath and garland

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.

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Autumn woods-scented oils

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.

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Outdoor dining area decorated with artificial fall foliage, pumpkins, and candles

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.

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READ NEXT:

WHEN TO START DECORATING FOR FALL

OUTDOOR HALLOWEEN DECORATING IDEAS

10 FALL DECORATING IDEAS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

WINTER

Patio décor idea with a Christmas wreath, garland, and potted arrangements

FEATURED: OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS CHARM FOLIAGE

Decorating outdoors for Christmas is a wonderful way to spread cheer to visiting guests and passers-by. Here are ways to add merriment to your exterior lounge areas, including some outdoor Christmas light ideas.

Front door decorated with Christmas wreaths, garlands, and topiaries

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.

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Outdoor patio seating area decorated with string lights, Christmas greenery, and candles

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.

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Table set with Christmas candles

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.

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Christmas-themed tablescape with wooden trays and assorted fruits

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.

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SHOP CHRISTMAS DÉCOR

READ NEXT:

ELEGANT OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS DÉCOR IDEAS FOR YOUR PORCH & PATIO

HOW TO CHOOSE OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

WHEN TO START DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS

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.

Give guests a warm welcome no matter the it is. With these outdoor decoration ideas, you’re well on your way to having the most inviting house in the neighborhood.

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LEARN MORE

Find more decoration ideas for spring, summer, fall, and winter. Read these next:

HOW TO TRANSITION YOUR DÉCOR FROM ONE SEASON TO THE NEXT

WAYS TO DECORATE WITH FLAMELESS CANDLES