Our Best Summer Decorating Ideas to DIY

backyard patio white outdoor furniture with tropical decor — Photo:
Johner Images / GETTY IMAGES

Summer is a time of year spent entertaining en plein air: Garden parties, picnics in the park, bonfires at the beach, graduation celebrations, and barbecues with a menu that's fresh off the grill. For that kind of social calendar, you'll need an outdoor setup fit for entertaining. Spruce up your backyard with our best summer decór ideas—from table setting and furnishing inspiration to mesmerizing lighting touches.

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Succulent Wreath

wreath out of succulents — Janelle Jones

Wreaths don't have to be relegated to winter holidays—as evidenced by this living succulent display. Perfect for hanging on your door during warmer weather, the drought-tolerant plants are grown in a fillable wreath base.

Get the Succulent Wreath How-To

02 of 20

Floral Napkin Rings

Few motifs are more reminiscent of summer than flowers. Bring blooms to your tablescape with these cheery DIY napkin rings. Leaf-shaped Czech glass beads and berry-shaped beads are threaded onto wire so that they resemble your favorite perennials. Wrap the napkin holders around your linens for an instantly elevated tablescape.

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03 of 20

Terra-Cotta Bud Vases

Go beyond a classic glass vase with this rustic terra-cotta vessel. All you need to do to re-create the look is roll air-dry clay out into a rectangle with a rounded top edge. Curl the material into a tube and press the seam closed. Once the vase air dries, you can fill it with flowers from your garden.

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04 of 20

Ombré Shell Wreath

Do you collect seashells, but you're not sure how to use them? Turn your treasures into a beautiful wreath for your front door. The ombré effect is achieved by soaking some of the shells in natural dye made from purple cabbage, and leaving the rest as is.

Get the Ombré Shell Wreath How-To

05 of 20

Colorful Tablecloth and Napkins

blue ice dyed table cloth and napkins — CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

Ice-dyeing—tie-dye's less messy cousin—is the secret to creating fresh summer table settings. Use the technique to make a unique, yet understated tablecloth and matching napkins.

Get the Ice-Dyeing How-To

06 of 20

Knotted Seat Cushions

For those summer days spent lounging outside, make your own cushions by taking our artisanal shortcut. Start with basic tufted cushions, and give them a bohemian upgrade with fluffy accents that mimic the look of quilt knots.

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07 of 20

Caning Décor

Clean, modern pieces made from jute, rattan, rush, and other durable fibers are easy to find and look fresh indoors year-round. Caning is known for its signature octagons and becomes the base material in these simple vase covers and light-catching wall hangings—both of which are a breeze to make.

Get the Caning Hoop Wall Art How-To

Get the Caning-Wrapped Vase How-To

08 of 20

Bandanna Table Settings

Rugged and practical, bandannas seem almost patriotic, so this table runner is fitting for Fourth of July or Memorial Day. Because the edges of the bandanas are already finished, they make for easy sewing projects that require no hemming.

09 of 20

Herb Centerpiece

When herb gardens overflow with more than is needed in any kitchen, why not use the extra yield in a fragrant centerpiece? Mix shapes and textures, and add color with edible flowers and herb blossoms. This arrangement, which could include dill, rosemary, mint, basil, thyme, lavender, nasturtiums, and flowering herbs, sits in a high-sided bowl; a smaller bowl within keeps the stems in place. But a vase, pitcher, or jar would work just as well.

10 of 20

Shell Candles

The shells that the ocean cast at your feet this summer—the ones you so fastidiously collected—make lovely remembrances of the season with candles formed inside them. Even better, a collection of candle-filled shells brings natural charm to any table. Deep shells like scallops, clams, and quahogs work best and burn longest.

11 of 20

Natural Elements Centerpiece

Whether the materials come from your backyard or a garden center, it's easy to incorporate natural elements into the centerpiece of an al fresco dinner. Position stones down the middle of an outdoor table, and intersperse bunches of cushion moss. Place votive candles along the sides to cast a warm glow over the arrangement.

12 of 20

Beach Pillows

Personalize your home décor with printed photo fabric that can be sewn into pillows; these beach and boat scenes go beautifully with blue-and-white patterned fabrics.

13 of 20

Photo Decals

Change up any room in the house—long-term or just temporarily—with durable but removable vinyl decals that make a bold statement. They're often used on walls but can be trimmed to fit a piece of furniture. Use them to upgrade vintage pieces or as fitting embellishments for a special event. Our wall and chair decals were printed with photos that Martha took on a misty morning at her farm. Each one brings a lush, green view of nature indoors.

14 of 20

Wallpapered Tray Table

Shelving like this is typically easy to find at flea markets in the summertime, but they often look plain. Give one instant style with a sheet of self-adhesive wallpaper. Choose one in a natural pattern like marble, quartz, or this speckled terrazzo to customize it.

15 of 20

Painted Camp Stools

With a little paint, the classic folding stool will elevate any space (and create extra seating). To make one, detach the seat from the base of the folding stool and lay it on a paper-covered surface. Brush on an easy pattern freehand or block off areas with painters' masking tape or geometric stencils before painting; let the canvas dry overnight. Once dried, remove the tape and stencils, and reassemble your new stool for use.

16 of 20

Origami Lanterns

Cocktails at sundown are more memorable when you supplement the waning daylight with pretty lanterns. To make one, fold a 25-inch square of vellum paper following our illustrations; blow into the bottom to expand the paper, and thread a 4-foot piece of string through the hole and out the bottom of the lantern.

17 of 20

Flower Votive Displays

Flowers and candlelight are nothing new, but together they create tabletop decorations fit for relaxed summer entertaining. Place votive candles in tall glass vessels, and attach a flower (dahlias are shown here) outside each, trimming the stem to fit and tying with raffia that matches the flower. Set each display in a saucer of water to keep the flowers fresh.

18 of 20

Tiki-Torch Anchors

Decking your yard with tiki torches is an inexpensive, festive way to bring island style home—and to light up the night without electricity. Use them to line a path or surround a patio. If the ground is paved or rocky, you may not be able to find places to poke the torches into the soil. Instead, anchor them in gravel-filled, galvanized-steel flower bucket. Position the flower buckets on level ground for stability. Hold one torch upright in each bucket, and fill the bucket with garden gravel to about 3 inches from the rim. The containers are then heavy enough to support the lit torches safely as they burn.

19 of 20

Cot Conversion

Turn a camp cot into an elegant patio daybed. Throw pillows in coordinating colors provide a soft surface to lean against. Depending on your sewing skills, you may wish to enlist an upholsterer for this project. We covered a 4-inch-thick foam cushion with striped fabric and trimmed the edges with piping. The cot slipcover is sewn from more of the same fabric. Box pleats at the corners are tied with ribbon. To complete the look, we applied two coats of light-green exterior paint to the frame.

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Raffia Door Panels

You can also use raffia, a lightweight fabric that resembles grasscloth, as your decorative inspiration. Just a few yards give the doors of this plain armoire a custom, earthy finishing touch.

Get the Raffia Door Panels How-To

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