Outdoor decorating creates an inviting space that extends beyond a home’s interior. Landscape professionals know how to plan a layout that encourages homeowners to maximize their patios. Incorporating the latest trends is one way to achieve an impressive patio design that will wow your clients and bring referrals to your landscaping business. 

According to a report by the International Casual Furnishings Association, a mere 18% of consumers use their outside living space as much as they’d like, but around two-thirds of households plan to make outdoor decorating purchases like furniture. These statistics represent a significant opportunity for landscape and design professionals. 

Ramp up Your Outdoor Decorating Skills

Even if you’ve created outdoor residential landscapes for a while, innovative products and styles can improve your offerings and pull in new contracts. Here are some outdoor decorating tips to help you scale up your design skills. 

1. Start With Lighting

Landscape designer Lisa Holt posted this video to highlight the simplest outdoor decorating mistakes people make. Lighting is the first thing she mentions that will take a design from blah to wow. Since you’ll likely visit the location during the day, you may overlook this easy way to scale up your work. You can add some outdoor hanging pendants, fairy lights or lamps. 

2. Choose Furniture That Suits the Client

The experts at Renovated compiled a list of different furniture styles for a backyard space. Even the trendiest, most attractive design will be unusable if it doesn’t fit your client’s lifestyle.

For a family that enjoys entertaining and eating meals outdoors, a table and chairs might be all they need to feel at home. On the other hand, someone who loves to spend sunny summer days reading may prefer a chaise longue covered in soft cushions with a nearby end table where they can place a refreshing beverage. 

For small patio decorating ideas, you should focus on a few special pieces that speak to the client’s style. Bring your portfolio to show them other projects you’ve completed and get an idea of which ones they prefer. 

3. Turn to Cable Railing for a Modern Touch

Do you want to elevate your outdoor decorating to something sophisticated and upscale? Adding cable railing is a simple way to create separation without obstructing views. These sleek frames come in various styles to suit any architecture. From black metal to natural wood, they provide a modern touch you’d expect to see in new buildings. Install cable railing around a balcony, patio or wood deck for a distinctive look that sets the tone for the rest of the design.

4. Add Xeriscaping for Eco-Conscious Design

People are increasingly concerned about being kind to the environment. Xeriscaping is a technique focused on drought-resistant plants and natural elements. Potted plants bring the lush feel of nature to a backyard patio or around a swimming pool.

While tropical plants’ bright blooms are gorgeous, they also require more resources to stay healthy than alternatives like ornamental grasses. Consult the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map when choosing. Landscaping that thrives in the environment will keep the entire outdoor design looking excellent for years. 

Garden writer David Beaulieu has experience in nurseries and formerly worked for the Arbor Day Foundation. He advises grouping plants with similar moisture needs and condition requirements for the best luck with xeriscaping. It’s OK to add a few lush plants and splashes of color if you design accordingly and account for their water needs.

5. Think Vertically

When you have limited space, remember you can add decor to outside walls or build a trellis to hold a few unique pieces that bring the entire design together. Outdoor wall decor ideas include lantern lights, plant holders and decorations like wall sculptures. Don’t forget to seal materials like metal to protect them from the elements. 

Actor Naomi Watts embraces vertical gardening for her outdoor design style, as pictured in a recent Instagram post. Adding trellises with climbing ivy is one way to add detail to your design without breaking the bank. 

6. Embrace Water Elements

People increasingly add water features to their outdoor decor. Outdoor decorating ideas for front yards might include a modern fountain that welcomes guests and serves as a drinking spot for local wildlife. 

The experts at Fontana Ponds and Water Features point to the rising popularity of natural water fountains that work with elements already on your land or from local sources. Some clients are turning to interactive spaces, such as a small, shallow stream, rain curtains or other tactile additions.  

Stick With Simple Outdoor Decorating Ideas

Whether you choose to embrace new technologies for your outdoor designs or want to go with a more traditional approach, stick to the tried and true for the basis of any design. Mix in new trends and fun features to take a solid design a step above what it would otherwise be. Your clients will be happy with the budget and your designs will pop, putting your skills in demand.