16 Outdoor Decorating Ideas for under $50

by Yasmin Tabi

From the cheapest lounge chairs to easy-to-make decorations, here are 16 ideas that will turn your backyard into a festive entertaining space for family and friends.

Decorate with a Casual and Comfortable Feel
The key to creating a good space -- indoors and out -- is making sure the environment allows for relaxation and enjoyment.
• Start creating your backyard escape by surrounding yourself with items you love. Whether it's placing a collection of small glass bottles filled with daffodils on a side table or hanging wind chimes from a few tree branches, your styling choices should reflect your personal taste.
• "Treat your outdoor area as an integral part of your home," says Susie Coelho, star of HGTV's Surprise Gardener and author of Everyday Styling. "Break the psychological boundaries of the walls of the house by bringing indoor elements such as drapes, pillows, mirrors or candelabra out to the patio or yard."


Use color to create a festive look. Canvas pillows, for instance, are a perfect way to brighten up an old lounge chair or a washed out wicker loveseat. Keep in mind that pillows don't necessarily have to match; have fun experimenting with different styles.

Set the Mood with Outdoor Lighting

From easy-to-make lanterns to candle-adorned garden torches, create a mood with these lighting ideas:
• Create a rustic feel by making outdoor lanterns out of items from your own kitchen. Start with a few rusted tin cans and old mason jars (cleaned out, of course), add a candle and hang it with wire.
• Not only are citronella candles great for keeping bugs away, but they're also a cheap alternative to outdoor lighting. Drugstores carry various sizes of citronella candles in small hand-held mugs and larger buckets, which give those old yellow candles a more festive feel. When entertaining, cluster a bunch of citronella candles in the center of your picnic table to create a stylish effect.
• Fabric lanterns are all the rage this season. You can hang them from tree branches or planter hooks. Look for them in houseware and gift specialty stores.
• Though it might seem strange to pull out your Christmas lights in the middle of the summer, wrapping that small iridescent string of white bulbs around tree trunks and branches will bring a romantic, starry atmosphere to your backyard.
• Try something different than the typical summer tiki torch and look for candlelit lawn torches with flower or butterfly covers.


Create an Inviting Seating Area

Turn your backyard into an outdoor room with seating that's functional and comfortable so that you and your guests can relax and enjoy the surroundings.
• Don't be afraid to use old indoor chairs outside -- especially if they're just taking up space in the garage. Change their look and get them ready for summer by recovering cushions with colorful fabric.
• Add some tropical color to the backyard with bright beach chairs and recliners, perfect for relaxing and seating party guests.
• Create a canopy to define your area. With just four posts, some rope and a large piece of canvas, a make-it-yourself canopy can be a striking backdrop to your backyard.
• Another way to brighten up an old bench or lounge chair is to decorate it with colorful pillows and cushions. In fact, the brighter the pillows the less likely you are to notice the small nicks and signs of age on your outdoor furniture.


Use Outdoor Accessories

Maybe your outdoor space is already the ideal haven, but it still needs a few extra touches. Whether it's a pillow, a hammock, umbrella or some cute table settings, the smallest extras can add so much.
• Author Susie Coelho suggests highlighting the colors in your outdoor area by using coordinated place mats, glassware, dishes and plants. "For a centerpiece with the spirit of the outdoors, collect old or new bottles in different sizes, shapes and colors. Group them together and fill each one with a different flower or sprig of greenery from the garden."
• Create an easy-to-make outdoor table with help from styling guru and Discovery Channel star, Christopher Lowell. Christopher suggests pairing a wicker basket or a large terra-cotta pot with a piece of glass to create a quick patio table. (Just be careful of the kids!)
• Free-float in the summer breeze with a hammock, or lie back under the cool shade of a colorful umbrella, and let the weight lift from your shoulders.
• Decorate your eating spaces with exotic bamboo place mats that will add style to any table, followed by some fun (and unbreakable) acrylic plates in pastel colors.