Home Improvement Ideas Porches & Outdoor Rooms Outdoor Rooms 25 Colorful Backyard Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Porch or Patio By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on August 26, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Paul Costello A few colorful updates can turn a lackluster backyard into an inviting outdoor room. With furniture, accessories, paint, and landscaping, it's easy to add bold color to a patio, deck, or garden. Refresh your outdoor space with these colorful backyard decorating ideas. 01 of 25 Colorful Outdoor Fabrics Nathan Kirkman Outdoor fabrics are an easy way to add color to your backyard. Start with furniture and an outdoor rug in neutral tones, then layer in brighter colors through throw pillows, seat cushions, upholstered poufs, and other accessories. This allows you to easily redo your backyard color scheme without completely starting over. 02 of 25 Colorful Backyard Retreat Kim Cornelison Carve out a cozy backyard retreat with colorful outdoor furniture and accessories. Supply plenty of comfy pillows and a small accent table where you can set a drink or snack. Line the area with outdoor string lights for a warm glow after the sun goes down. 03 of 25 Patio Greenery Ideas Paul Costello A clever backyard decor idea is to add foliage with container gardens if your backyard isn't as green as you'd like. Here, hanging baskets and planters supply greenery to make up for the yard's lack of grassy areas. The lush green leaves help set off the bright white furniture and colorful outdoor pillows. 04 of 25 Light and Bright Backyard James Nathan Schroder A verdant backyard can feel heavy with dark greens and wood tones. Brighten your outdoor entertainment area with a light-colored outdoor rug, white furniture, and vibrant throw pillows. Colorful fabrics and glass side tables boost this patio's light and bright vibe. 05 of 25 Retro Metal Chairs Kimberly Gavin Metal furniture is generally affordable and comes in many colors, making it easy to find one or more to suit your garden or patio. This set of retro-style lawn chairs complements the bright yellow blooms that fill the surrounding containers. If you can't find the color you want, shop flea markets and vintage sales for pieces you can transform with a fresh coat of paint. 06 of 25 Creative Outdoor Rug Cameron Sadeghpour Update a plain outdoor rug to add color and pattern to your backyard. First, use painters tape to create a custom design, then use a large round brush to dab on paint in your color of choice. A smooth, low-pile material like sisal works best for crisp lines. 07 of 25 Painted Outdoor Pillows Nathan Kirkman Spray-painted stencils, such as the star motif on the surface of this pillow, are an easy way to punch up outdoor fabric. Pick paint colors that match cushion colors or outdoor furniture. If your patio furnishings are neutral, go for outdoor fabrics in a sunny shade that will brighten your day. 08 of 25 Stylish Backyard Entertaining Paul Costello Drape a colorful tablecloth over your outdoor table to add a special touch to alfresco meals. Brightly colored glassware, placemats, or napkins can also elevate backyard entertaining. For a layered look, place a runner made of a natural material such as rattan or bamboo over a more vibrant tablecloth. 09 of 25 Colorful Patio Umbrellas Dustin Peck Provide stylish sun protection with an umbrella for a backyard decor idea that incorporates a fun color or pattern. In this backyard, an umbrella repeats the sunny color used on pillows, throws, and side tables. More significant elements, including the furniture and area rug, remain neutral to balance the colorful accents. 10 of 25 Bright Back Door Bob Stefko Painting an exterior door is a quick way to add color to your home's entrance, and this trick works in the backyard, too. Set a colorful tone for your outdoor space with a back door decked in a fresh hue. Choose a color that works with your home's existing exterior palette. Here, a vibrant tangerine door borrows color inspiration from orange umbrellas and furniture cushions, creating a bright spot of color against the gray siding. 11 of 25 Punch Up a Painted Porch Anthony Masterson Add depth to your covered porch or patio by painting the ceiling or rafters. The color will add an unexpected twist and make an outdoor room feel cozy and inviting. For balance, opt for lighter furnishings and bright accessories. 12 of 25 Garden Shed Surprise Pete Krumhardt An unassuming garden shed becomes a pretty focal point with a new door color. Before you begin, add a coat or two of water-based primer to the surface to help the finish last longer. Tall planters nearby add more color. 13 of 25 Container Garden Accents Laurie Black Quickly brighten an outdoor space with colorful containers. Choose pots in various colors, sizes, and textures to add dimension to your patio. Large containers offer plenty of room to fill them with a wide range of plant types, adding even more color to the area. 14 of 25 Complementary Backyard Decor Idea Brie Williams Complementary colors, such as blue and orange, sit on opposite sides of the color wheel, but they look great when paired together. For a balanced look, pick one of the colors to play a more dominant role. Here, blue creates a comforting base for the outdoor seating area, while orange accents provide bright contrast. 15 of 25 Define Backyard Zones Kritsada Panichgul Use colorful backyard ideas to divide the space into specific outdoor rooms. This backyard applies outdoor fabrics in various colors to distinguish different zones. Bright red cushions and accessories make the conversation area stand out. Green outdoor curtains drape from a pergola over the hot tub to visually separate the area from the rest of the yard. 16 of 25 Backyard Design Inspiration Matthew Benson Look to the flowers and plants in your yard for color inspiration. Use the hues you find, such as grass green, rosy red, or carnation pink, to accessorize your outdoor spaces. Purple pillows on this patio match the flowers blooming in the nearby containers. 17 of 25 Patterned Privacy Screen Ed Gohlich A decorative screen helps delineate outdoor spaces, but it should also add style. Find a unique pattern or give it a fresh coat of paint or stain to keep your patio looking great. Look to your outdoor furniture or landscaping for color inspiration. 18 of 25 Fun Outdoor Chairs Robert Brinson Try a DIY backyard decor idea and paint dining chairs in bright colors. Arrange them around a neutral tabletop for maximum impact. Distressed finishes and bold accessories give this open-air dining space even more personality. Consider adding an outdoor rug for a pulled-together look. 19 of 25 Vibrant Backyard Accessories Edmund Barr Bring your outdoor spaces to life with vibrant decorative accessories. Look to garden sculptures, gazing balls, and accent furniture with interesting shapes and designs. This is a great way to add whimsical color to the backyard. 20 of 25 Outdoor-Friendly Rugs Kritsada Panichgul Explore outdoor rug options to make exterior living spaces feel more like rooms. Available in myriad colors, patterns, and sizes, outdoor rugs often closely resemble their indoor counterparts in looks. However, they're specially fabricated to brave moisture, sunlight, and other weather elements. 21 of 25 Outdoor Wall Art Peter Krumhardt Suspended flowerpots can become colorful wall art for your outdoor room. Start with nine terra-cotta pots and coat the bases with spray paint. Next, plot the grid arrangement and secure pot hangers to the fence. Finish by suspending pots from hangers and filling each container with brightly colored annuals or herbs. 22 of 25 Colorful Patio Decorating Edmund Barr This home's vivid purple French doors provide plenty of bright color for the backyard. Because the patio is adjacent to the home's kitchen, the simple picnic table is great for taking meals outside. For an easy centerpiece, dress up the tabletop with a series of low-maintenance succulents in colorful ceramic pots. 23 of 25 Welcoming Outdoor Seating Tria Giovan Add a splash of color to an outdoor seating area with bright chairs. In this backyard, green, pink, and orange metal chairs pop against the neutral patio. A colorful hammock rounds out the fun, welcoming space. 24 of 25 Fancy Garden Fence Peter Krumhardt Separate a garden from the rest of the backyard with a colorful fence. In this backyard, bright green and blue hues pop against the grass and plants. The fence provides a colorful view from any angle. 25 of 25 A Starting Point for Decor Gordon Beall This home's exterior creates the perfect starting point for its patio's color scheme. White trim and millwork inspire the white bench and fire surround, while the bench cushion color pulls from the gray siding. Turquoise accent chairs influence the watery blues and lively green throw pillows for a coordinated finish. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit