We’ve survived the dog days of summer. The days are less sweltering; mornings and nights are refreshingly crisp. But before you retreat indoors and surrender the patio until spring, we have a precious few weeks of prime outdoor-hosting weather still on the calendar. Fall brunches! Back-to-school-related gatherings! Dinner outside without immediately sweating through your clothes! There’s life in the old patio yet.

If you’re anything like exuberantly maximalist interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins, for whom the indoor-outdoor thing isn’t some belabored-to-death design cliché but a genuine non-negotiable, you already have a game plan.

‘This is the moment I start layering back in the things that make a space feel enveloping.’ Corey tells Homes & Gardens, having recently done this exact outdoor entertaining prep in his Chesapeake Bay Colonial Revival project, featured in his book Design Reimagined.

The candy-pink cushions you bought back in May were cute, but autumnal outdoor living calls for moodier details. ‘I’ll swap out anything too lightweight or summer-breezy for cushions and throws in a richer, more saturated palette. Deep greens, ochres, a touch of chocolate or burnt umber – the same way I’d adjust a room’s accent colors for a new season indoors,’ he explains. ‘Textiles shift with the temperature too – lighter linens and cottons can give way to heavier, richly textured weaves.'

And since the sun, rudely, is clocking out earlier, supplemental outdoor lighting makes both you and your patio feel warmer as the days shorten. ‘The biggest shift is that evenings arrive earlier and cooler now, so lighting has to work harder and warmer. Where I’d let a space carry itself on natural light through August, I’m now bringing in lanterns and hurricane candles earlier in the evening, and swapping anything stark or cool-toned for warmer bulbs.’

It’s a relatively tiny tweak that drives home, pun intended, that decidedly indoor feeling Corey’s outdoor spaces are known for. To him, a patio should be every bit as layered, interesting, and nuanced as your best indoor room – not some half-baked purgatory where design standards go to die once waterproofing enters the equation. And that continuity always starts with a clear conversation between both sides of the sliding glass.

‘What actually creates cohesion between the two is letting the site do some of the talking – pulling color and material cues from what’s already there – like the stone and the landscaping around the home – rather than trying to recreate the same exact look of the interior,’ says Corey. ‘When a space is clearly responding to its environment, it reads as intentional and specific, which does more to tie indoors and outdoors together than any matching patterns or styles could.’

But don't forget the big 'P' – Personality – which ultimately makes a patio a place to be. Who wants to eat alfresco in an accessories-less space? Not any magpie that I know. ‘Weaving in a meaningful piece or detail that nods to how they actually live and plan to use the space elevates it well past the standard outdoor furniture package – something as simple as a well-proportioned table sized for the way a family actually gathers, rather than a matching lounge set.’

‘I treat outdoor spaces with the same design rigor as any interior room, which means finding real solutions for bringing indoor-caliber pieces outside, not just weatherproof stand-ins. The elements force a kind of creative problem-solving, and I’ve learned to treat that as an invitation rather than a limitation.'

‘The client had spent years amassing antiques, and my job was to give that collection a cohesive home, straight through to the veranda,' Corey adds of his Chesapeake project. 'We mounted antique blue-and-white porcelain plates onto custom metal grilles and fixed them to the exterior brick walls to create a sophisticated look you’d expect indoors, engineered to survive outside. Her vintage ginger jars found a place outside too, weighted with rocks and sand to hold their ground even in the wind. It made the home feel like one continuous, personal narrative rather than an indoor story with an unrelated outdoor postscript.’

And that’s the secret to a less snoozey outdoor setup. Since everyone has a unique indoor story of their own, yours needn’t necessarily involve (outdoor-friendly) porcelain plates bolted to brick. If you love antique-style upholstery, translate that into an all-weather floral sofa. If you love horses and have saddle leathers lining your living room, why wouldn’t a little stone stallion keep your plant children company?

Whatever your particular decorative affliction, let it outside. The best outdoor spaces for any sort of revelry – parties, meals, and general hanging around – actually feel like the people who live there. A couple of odd, personal accessories will get you closer to that elusive ‘designer’ touch.

Of course, a well-dressed patio can still be a terrible party host, and there’s one mistake Corey sees all the time that seriously stymies the flow of a gathering. Fortunately, it’s the only part of the patio plan that requires absolutely no shopping whatsoever to fix.‘Scattered seating with no real purpose behind it – furniture pushed to the edges of the space, a table shoved in a corner, nothing arranged with people actually gathering in mind,’ he says, is the ultimate outdoor entertaining faux pas. ‘It leaves guests with nowhere obvious to settle, so they end up bunched around whatever surface has food or drinks on it.’

It’s an uncomfortable scene we know all too well: twelve people packed sardine-close around the crudités while an entire sofa sits empty six feet away. Corey’s trick is essentially a little social grease by way of furniture. ‘The fix is treating the layout the way you would a living room built for parties – creating two or three distinct groupings instead of one catch-all arrangement, so there’s a cozier spot for quieter conversation and a larger one for the bigger crowd. Anchor each grouping with something to gather around, like a table or a fire feature, so people have a reason to land there rather than just stand.’

And wherever they land, give guests a good reason to want to stay, beyond the fact they’ve already enjoyed a couple of aperitifs. If you’re yet to invest in the perfect outdoor furniture (it’s never too late in the season!), Corey’s indoor wishlist doesn’t change with the lack of a roof: craftsmanship, a great silhouette, and non-basic, actually enticing fabric are all a must.

‘Outdoor furniture has long suffered from a kind of resignation, as if comfort and beauty have to be sacrificed the moment you step outside,’ he laments. ‘I don’t accept that – every piece of furniture in an outdoor space should still have presence, still invite you to sit down and stay awhile, whether it’s in a sunroom or on a patio.’

That's pretty much Corey’s whole fall patio strategy: stop treating the patio like a patio. Steal the best stuff from indoors – the flattering light, the weightier textiles, the weird little objects with stories, the furniture arranged in a way that actually makes sense – and take it outside. A cushion swap here, a lantern there, maybe a couple of horses guarding the steps if the spirit moves you.

Summer may be over. Patio season, however, is not.

Some call it crisp, others call it cold. If you’re already reaching for a sweater, these five designer-recommended ways to warm up a late-summer, early-autumn patio should help.

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Outdoor decor is far from summer-only fare. If anything, autumn might be the better time to finally nail that outdoor living room. The weather is slightly cooler, the layers are better, and you realize that the indoor-looking setup you’ve been after all summer makes much more sense now than it did during a string of 100-degree scorchers.

Ever heard of outdoor bouclé? CB2’s cozy Gonçalo Campos-designed swivel chair takes the traditionally indoor-only upholstery outside, with hidden storage beneath the seat for a fawn-print Lola Blanket to swaddle yourself in once the sun sets. Outdoor rugs underfoot are a must, whether woven like humble plaid or arranged like tiles grounding a grand Italian palazzo.

From there, pattern piles onto pattern: rust-toned sofas and loveseats in houndstooth, gingham, and antiqued florals, with throw pillows to match (or deliberately not). On the coffee table, a cordless lantern from Anthropologie’s buzzy new Barbour collaboration, to make a little romance out of these increasingly early evenings.

From backyard movie nights to family gatherings around an open flame, prime patio season isn’t over yet. Ahead, every alfresco layer and indoor-worthy indulgence making me not miss summer in the slightest.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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It might be the end of summer, but that doesn't mean we need to rush inside as soon as September hits. In fact, the gradual shift from late summer to autumn is all the more enjoyable when you watch the seasons change from your porch, balcony, or patio.

While reading nooks are often seen inside our homes, creating a tranquil spot to watch the world go by is one of the best ways to make use of your backyard at this time of year. Outdoor reading nooks are a coveted addition as summer slowly slips into fall, and it couldn't be easier to add one to your space. All that's required is a place to perch; then you can layer in outdoor blankets and throw pillows to make it cozy, a side table for a cup of coffee, and of course, lighting to add ambiance – portable lamps work best.

As summer draws to a close and all that outdoor hosting starts to move inside, redefine how you use your patio, porch, or backyard for the next few weeks by turning it into a cozy reading retreat. Inspired by the late-summer transition, these shopping picks have been curated to help you design a backyard reading nook in just a weekend afternoon.

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With the first inkling of autumn finally in the air, that last backyard to-do can officially no longer be avoided. For me, that’s dealing with my ugly outdoor storage. So, in a last-ditch attempt to make my small backyard feel larger and lighter while there’s still time to enjoy it, I’m swapping bulky plastic boxes for IKEA’s KOLBJÖRN collection.

Taking a cue from a great credenza or wardrobe, it’s the sleek-lined, invitingly neutral outdoor storage I’ve spent an entire summer wishing I had: something I can proudly leave en vue for company, allow into the background of photos, and brush past without grimacing. Made from durable, rust-protected steel, the cabinets and shelves are designed for balconies, patios, gardens, and, in a rather ironic full-circle moment, garages. But with indoor-level good looks like these, I’d happily put them to work in potential wet zones like bathrooms and entryways, too.

There are several iterations within the tight eight-piece collection, and because it’s modular, you can iterate even further yourself, mixing, matching, and stacking your way to something approaching a bespoke storage shed, even when square footage is decidedly not on your side.

Personally, I’m going for both a cabinet and a shelf, hiding a season's worth of un-chic outdoor necessities behind much better-looking doors while reserving the open steel frame for things I actually want to see. Potted plants, for one (Martha Stewart recently gifted me a money tree, which I am caring for with my life), plus outdoor dinnerware and glassware I want within arm’s reach when I entertain.

The days may be getting shorter, but this clever two-, three-, four-, or however-many-in-one switch is my hero move for making the most of the alfresco moments I have left.

From a few pool toys too many to those chair cushions you’ve been meaning to switch out, IKEA’s SUNDSÖ cabinet hides the ugly aftermath of a season well spent behind a splash of brilliant blue.

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As much as I love the playful nature of the Halloween season, I am extra picky about my outdoor decor, as I don't want to be the boring house on the block, but I want how I decorate to reflect my year-round tastes too. So no blow-up lawn ornaments or plastic skeletons, please.

Sourcing chic outdoor Halloween decor has been made very easy this year thanks to Terrain – its new collection gets the balance just right between playful and actually something I want my whole neighborhood to judge me on. And the standout piece this year is the Illuminated Vine Pumpkin – Terrain’s whimsical take on Halloween’s most quintessential decorative detail.

In classic Terrain style, this wicker pumpkin is not overly kitschy, but it's still festive and fun. Between its lightly woven design and its warm ambient glow, it'll elevate any Halloween scene. I can already envision my porch becoming the chicest one on the block – I'll get a few of these vine pumpkins in varying sizes, I'll stage them along my front steps, and I'll light them up every nightfall. Not only will they have my home feeling festive for the season, but they'll double as outdoor lighting ideas that can make my front entrance look so much more welcoming for my fall hosting.

Although it's sold as a Halloween decoration, this light-up pumpkin can come out long before October 1st. In my mind, it's just as much an outdoor fall decor idea as it is a Halloween feature.

Terrain's Illuminated Vine Pumpkin is one of the chicest Halloween decorations I've seen this season. I can't wait to style it on my porch – to signal fall and make my home look more festive for spooky season. If its stylish design is speaking to you too, then get one of your own before it sells out.

Shop More Halloween Decor from Terrain

The Illuminated Vine Pumpkin isn't the only glowing Halloween decoration from Terrain that's caught my attention. Shop three more styles below that are equally as chic.

Although design-driven Halloween decor isn't always easy to come by, Terrain's Illuminated Vine Pumpkin is proof that it does, in fact, exist. And if you want even more spooky yet chic picks to help you decorate your home for Halloween, check out Shea McGee's Halloween drop at McGee & Co. too – trust me, it's hauntingly good.

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Late summer is a magical limbo: milder weather, less chance of frizzy hair, and, though most of our back-to-school days are finally behind us, that inner knowing of new. It’s the honorary new year. And while our eyes might already be wandering toward fall, there’s no reason to rush through the last stretch of actually enjoyable alfresco air.

The trick is to slowly, gently ease your patio into cozy season. No need to dive off the deep end and swaddle the setup in unnecessary accessories; like a perfectly lightweight cashmere at the beach, you want just enough to acknowledge that September is coming.

So we asked designers how they handle those first hints of crisp fall air without making things feel prematurely frigid – the little moves, both physical and visual, that make staying outside after sunset seem like the better option. Ahead, five ways to postpone saying goodbye to summer just a little longer.

1. Great Lighting

Great lighting won’t make you physically warmer, but mentally, emotionally, spiritually, the right ambience delivers the warm-and-fuzzy feeling we’re starting to crave.

‘Honestly, this might be my number one recommendation,’ says North Carolina-based designer Grey Joyner. ‘If you have the budget to add ONE new thing to your patio, I would focus on good quality outdoor lighting – both the fixtures and the bulbs themselves. Good lighting can completely change an outdoor space. And this applies to everything from choosing great fixtures, to selecting the correct bulbs, to adding cordless lamps when needed and even bringing out candles and lanterns when you’re using the space.’

And you can, apparently, quantify the sweet spot for cozy. ‘Adding warm ambient lighting at 2000K–2700K creates a soft, golden glow that our brains associate with safety and comfort,’ adds Bella Baldwin, interior designer at Rumor Designs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who insists just about any avenue to warm light is welcome this time of year.

‘Incorporating this through string lights, candles, and lanterns invites people to stay longer and creates a softer, more natural transition from day to night. Bonus points for solar-powered options that automatically turn on as the sun begins to set!’

2. Fire Features

It’s, quite literally, the oldest trick in the book, but fire really does work in more ways than one. The heat, obviously, is nice, but planted as the centerpiece of a seating group, a fire feature makes those increasingly early sunsets feel less like bad news.

‘A fire pit or fire coffee table is the ultimate addition for the outdoor living space when the weather starts to shift. It provides actual warmth, but it also becomes a natural gathering point,’ observes Rebecca Formichella, founder of New York City-based design firm Studio Formichella. ‘There’s something instinctive about sitting around a fire. It slows the evening down and encourages everyone to settle in.’

A good one doubles as an architectural feature. ‘I prefer designs in stone or aged metal so the fire element feels integrated into the landscape rather than like an appliance or an afterthought.'

3. A Basket of Throws

We swaddle ourselves in our coziest blankets as soon as we step inside for couch time. But designers ask: why not take this indoor accessory outside, too? Be it a performance outdoor throw that can resist the elements or simply a few regular ones tucked away in a charming basket, having another layer on hand makes an outdoor living room feel a little more like an indoor one.

‘Throw blankets specifically designated for the outdoor areas of a home are so underrated!’ exclaims Kathy Kuo, designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home. ‘The key is choosing materials that are both cozy and performance grade.’ She specifically recommends Sunbrella for its soft, high-quality layers that resist moisture and fading.

Kristen Kinsella, Director of Interiors at Soucie Horner Design Collective, reaches for highly textured, fall-friendly patterns like plaid, always stashed in big woven baskets for ease.

4. Cushioned Seating

If you wouldn’t want to sit on it inside, why would you want to sit on it out? Real-living-room-worthy cushions go a long way here – visually, of course, but also because a hard chair is probably one of the better reasons to take the party back inside.

‘If you want people to linger and feel at home, give them somewhere really comfortable to sit,’ insists interior designer Grey Joyner. ‘I love substantial cushions and pillows in outdoor performance fabrics, especially when they bring in a great pattern or unexpected color.’

As for matching them? Grey would actually rather you didn’t. We’re on the brink of autumn, after all, which is prime time for layering. ‘Please don’t be afraid to mix prints: stripes, botanicals, geometrics, whatever speaks to you,’ urges Grey. ‘The goal is for the patio to feel cozy and comfortable and not like a stuffy showroom.’

5. Indoor-Outdoor Rugs

For the final finishing touch, make the underfoot moment a welcoming one. An outdoor rug anchors the seating group, lends a little something-something to catch the eye, and provides a layer of insurance against the evening chill.

‘As the ground cools, area rugs can not only add visual warmth, but also help insulate your outdoor spaces from the evening chill,’ explains Courtney Klinger, founder of Philadelphia-based Studio Whitford. ‘A soft ground underfoot brings a sense of luxe warmth that typical outdoor pavers just cannot replicate. It makes such an impactful difference in the cooler months.’

Soucie Horner Design Collective's Kristen Kinsella recommends SHIIR Rugs for its wide range of pattern and colors, each handcrafted by master artisans in India and Nepal. For more affordable options, Ruggable and Rugs USA never cease to excite with their designer collaborations.

Garden-party season isn’t over yet. Celebratory backyard birthday brunches, slow Sunday barbecues, and all the alfresco occasions in between can carry on a little longer with a few strategic additions.

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As rainier fall weather threatens our outdoor seating, it’s time to start thinking about bringing soft furnishings indoors. Even under furniture covers, cushions can become damp and moldy from condensation, or attract pests looking for a cozy place to nest over winter.

The problem is that these bulky, awkwardly shaped cushions aren’t exactly easy to store. Basements and garages may offer extra space, but they can also be prone to humidity, pests, and often offer precious little usable storage.

My solution? Hanging vacuum storage bags from Amazon. They compress bulky cushions to roughly half their original size while keeping them safely off the floor, making use of vertical storage to save space. It’s a simple storage trick that can make the end-of-season tidy-up considerably easier.

Most of the time, cushion storage comes down to folding them as tightly as possible into a box and calling it a day. However, not only is this a terrible waste of space when your home storage is already cramped, but it can misshape your cushions and still leave them susceptible to mold and damp, not to mention musty smells.

Vacuum storage bags are easily one of the best options for keeping your cushions in top condition and reducing their storage footprint. However, keeping the cushions flat can still prove tricky when they span the length of a two-seater sofa and above.

Hanging vacuum storage bags offer a clever workaround. By making use of rails, hooks, and other vertical storage points, you can keep bulky cushions off the floor while freeing up valuable shelving for boxes and other seasonal items.

The Vacbird bags from Amazon do double duty as vacuum compression bags and hanging garment protectors, while also providing a dustproof barrier. Made from five-layer PA+PE material with an airtight valve, they help protect cushions from moisture, dust, and pests, keeping them in good condition from the moment you pack them away until warmer weather returns next spring.

What Else to Shop

From smart space-saving storage to moisture protectors, these are the essentials your fall and winter storage zones need to see you through to next summer

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

No space inside your home? Worry not. We have a host of backyard storage ideas you can use as inspiration.

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As summer starts to wind down and cooler fall weather creeps in, grilling season begins to come to an end. But that doesn’t mean your grill can be forgotten until next year.

As laborious as it may sound, cleaning your grill and preparing it for winter is essential if you want to keep the same setup in good shape for years to come. A little maintenance now can save you time, money, and plenty of scrubbing when grilling season rolls around again.

And the secret to keeping those grates in good condition? Seasoning. It’s not just a pre-cooking ritual; a bottle of grapeseed oil from Amazon can help protect your grill grates from moisture and rust while they sit unused through the colder months, making for a much easier return to outdoor cooking next spring. Here’s how.

Seasoning a grill is common practice when preparing a grill after winter to prevent food from sticking and burning, but it is actually one of the best things you can do before, too.

Seasoning and cleaning cast iron, when done correctly, creates a hydrophobic barrier that blocks out humidity, condensation, and water, preventing rust and corrosion on metal grates. When you open it up again come springtime, they will be ready for a quick clean and cookout.

While you can remove rust and restore cast iron, prevention is always better than the cure. Seasoning before you pack everything away at the end of the season protects the structural integrity of your grates and will take less time than scrubbing rust spots when you want to start cooking. Trust me, it is more than worth the effort in the end.

The trick is to use a high-smoke-point oil, such as grapeseed oil from Walmart, to coat the clean grates before heating them until the oil is baked on. This helps create a protective barrier against moisture and rust while also helping to eliminate lingering food residue that could attract mold or pests over the winter.

As Grilling Expert Dylan Clay of Barbeque FAQ explains, 'In terms of oils, all you’re doing is avoiding ones that have a low smoke point. Those are things like butter, olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, etc. Anything neutral, such as grapeseed, vegetable oil, avocado oil, even Crisco, works. I prefer grapeseed − it's cheap and neutral.

'To re-season, apply a super-thin (thinner than you think you need) layer of oil or fat to all surfaces, and then even wipe off the excess. Bake at around 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.'

Finish with a well-fitting grill cover, and your barbecue will be protected through the colder months and ready to fire up when the first warm day of next summer arrives.

What Else to Shop

From cleaning essentials to winter protection, these are the must-have tools and accessories you need to keep your grill protected through the colder months and ready to fire up again next summer.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

If a busy summer has left your grill looking a little worse for wear, check out our tips for cleaning a rusty griddle before storing it over the winter.

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Recently at a cocktail party, someone who'd just moved asked what she should buy to elevate her space. A candle sconce, I answered. I've been obsessed since the trend took off last fall: no wiring, ridiculously romantic in seconds. And for outdoors? I had one specific sleeper hit from Pooky in mind.

The Bellamy Candle Sconce is the outdoor lighting version of this old-school look you probably didn’t know existed. Part of Pooky’s indoor-outdoor collaboration with The Novogratz, which made its buzzy debut in May 2025, it’s a boho-looking fixture in warm, hammered brass that, paired with your taper of choice, lends a whimsical glow to almost any exterior wall. I’m flabbergasted that more people aren’t talking about it.

The Bellamy looks great solo, bouncing candlelight off its softly dimpled backplate. But a pair of sisters flanking a favorite alfresco feature – say, a bar station or outdoor kitchen – is double the patio theatre, which I’m absolutely here for.

I especially love it as a lighting option for small bistro sets, where you may or may not already be negotiating table real estate between a petite portable lamp and your aperitivo. Put the light on the wall instead. It’s really all you need for those late-September, early-October dinners when being outside finally feels refreshing again.

Still, I'm more than willing to admit that in most cases, you don't need a candle sconce. But it’s beautiful, and we’ve reached the point in the season when the seating groups, coffee tables, outdoor rugs, and umbrellas have already been purchased.

The Bellamy is the fun part – the romantic part – the thing you buy once you’re through being practical. By this point, your patio works. Now it gets to be pretty.

Flameless LED Taper Candles

Take your pick of tapers, though I recommend going flameless for safety.

More Pooky x Novogratz

Missed the initial drop? These outdoor-friendly gems have been on my mind since last year – and now they’re finally on sale.

The Bellamy is a great outdoor option for renters and the electrician-averse alike. If this laissez-faire approach to lighting appeals to you, some stylish solar lights may be in order, too.

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Al fresco hosting is far from over, but as the end of August and Labor Day weekend draw near, the way we host needs to adapt slightly. Those balmy evenings that once required little more than some low lighting and ice-cold martinis are slowly becoming cooler and darker, and if you want to make your guests feel comfortable, a chic outdoor throw blanket is a must-have.

Lightweight but plush, and endlessly cozy, outdoor throw blankets are an essential in the transition from summer to fall. No longer will you have to retreat indoors when August and September temperatures dip below 70 degrees – just grab a blanket to keep you cozy as you curl up on your outdoor furniture to enjoy the last bits of summer.

Some outdoor throws are made with special, performance materials to protect them from the elements, like Sunbrella’s Throw Blanket. However, any durable and machine-washable throw should do the trick. This year's favorite is Terrain's Tartan Blanket – a soft wool throw that's easy to clean and perfect for a breezy night on the patio.

As the summer nears its end, make the most of your days and nights outside with a cozy outdoor throw blanket. Keep one tucked in a basket beside your back door so that every time you step onto your patio, warmth isn't far behind.

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Weddings do a remarkable job of making what is usually just a grassy lawn or porch feel like an enchanted fairytale – mostly thanks to the lighting. At one I attended recently, I found myself wondering: how on earth are little chandeliers hanging from those trees? Wires through… wood? I don’t think so.

I asked around and, to my surprise, discovered they’re an elegant Amazon hack: a $38 antique-style crystal solar chandelier that’s essentially a scaled-down version of something you’d expect sparkling overhead at the Ritz Paris. Powered by the sun, this outdoor lighting needs no wiring and, thanks to a simple S-hook, can hang pretty much anywhere – from patios and pergolas to tree branches in need of a little summertime swank.

‘Magical’ might be the only word for the sheer ease of this setup: take it out of the box, hang it somewhere sunny, and by nightfall it glows all on its own. An on-off switch? Never heard of her.

The obvious use is a garden party, but the reviews have a more colorful imagination than I do.

‘I know this solar chandelier was designed for weddings and elegant garden parties, but I decided to take a different route: the chicken coop,’ quips one reviewer, who says they wanted something that looked high-end but could actually withstand the elements. Another charges theirs in the sun during the day, hangs it inside a camping canopy after dark, then stores it in a greenhouse between trips. A one-occasion wonder, no longer.

Regular gazebo? Just one chandelier away from looking like it belongs at the Four Seasons. Tiny bistro set with no room for a table lamp? Hang one from the nearest tree branch instead. Weddings may cost an arm and a leg, and while the catered cold chicken is still a hard pass, this is one styling trick I’m stealing for every outdoor get-together from here on out.

More Solar Chandeliers We Love

Ahead, three more wire-free styles to make any backyard feel fancier.

If you didn’t think you could have the pendant lighting of your most fanciful dreams in the backyard, these darling little chandeliers feel like an answered prayer. And if you’re partial to this sort of hands-off ambience, there’s an equally charming set of entryway-worthy lanterns that require no wiring, either.

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Riviera this, Riviera that. If you’re anything like me, your feeds have been inundated with fabulous people summering on the world’s most fabulous coastline. It’s a stylish scene – not just because of the spritzes or superyachts, but because of the little unmistakably South of France design details mingled throughout its many beach clubs.

I just found one of them hiding in Anthropologie’s sale section: the Lillie Outdoor Bar Table. The lower shelf comfortably fits an extra-tall bottle of Clase, the upper one your outdoor glassware, but what really caught my eye were its coastal cues: a playful steel silhouette, a wash of powder-blue, and an unfussy tiled top. Because if there’s anything we've learned from the French, it’s that there's nothing less chic than trying too hard.

At just under four feet wide, you don’t need a sprawling terrace to make a splash. Even if the rest of your outdoor entertaining setup is relatively simple, this sinuously detailed steel design immediately becomes the focal point. A small-backyard hero piece, if I’ve ever seen one.

I also appreciate the generous overhang, a seemingly unimportant detail that makes all the difference. This way, you can actually pull up a few stools and let it behave like a proper bar, rather than somewhere to simply park the bottles.

It might be late summer, but I don't think this is where the story ends. I’d absolutely move this 'outdoor' bar into a sunroom, living room, or even a generous hallway. It’s just too good to spend nine months in storage.

Anthropologie's Outdoor Lillie Collection

Did I mention beautiful DNA runs in the family? The bar table belongs to Anthropologie’s broader Lillie collection, and I’ve wanted every last piece since it debuted.

How I'd Style It

Late summer is, in my opinion, the chicest time to host. Here’s how I’d style the Lillie collection for a Riviera-coded reverie.

Your backyard should feel like an escape. Whether that’s somewhere in the South of France, South America, or otherwise, we’ve rounded up the resort-style outdoor furniture and decor to take you there.

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It might just be the best meal, and it’s certainly our favorite kind of garden party. Host a backyard brunch, and nobody’s straining themselves to wake up too early. The menu gets to play both sides, with sweet and savory sharing the table, while sundresses and linen button-downs threaten to upstage the tablescape.

But they won’t. A tiered cake stand might be piled high with boulangerie pastries, flanked not by ordinary vases but tulipières overflowing with the season's best. Fresh fruit looks like little jewels scattered across porcelain platters. Off to one side, a beverage station keeps pitchers of fruit-infused water, fresh juices, and bottles of bubbly chilling in the chicest ice bucket they’ve ever seen, which is on mimosa duty starting now. And because this could very well be a three-hour-long affair, punchy pastel seat cushions become just as important as the table linens.

The meadow-sweet grass and sunshine are free. These are the other 24 outdoor entertaining essentials you’ll need to make sleeping in look impossibly stylish.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

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Downward-facing barn lights – which now go by the decidedly sillier ‘gooseneck’ moniker – started life as hardworking industrial fixtures around 1919 before finding a second home on barn doors and farm pathways throughout the 1930s. We don’t know who sketched the silhouette, but it's clear they got it right the first time. Over 100 years later, it remains one of the smartest forms of exterior lighting ever devised.

‘Don’t let the name fool you! Gooseneck barn lights are way cooler than they sound and are skyrocketing to the top of the popularity chain of exterior lighting,’ says fancy-meets-family-friendly designer Lauren Covino-Smith. ‘Believe it or not, they date back as far as the early 1900s when used for barns, factories, and commercial buildings. Doesn’t sound overly sexy, I agree, but how we use gooseneck barn lights today has come a long way!’ She reaches for timeless, but firmly 21st-century finishes: ‘matte black for a pop of contrast against a neutral-toned home, aged brass for a luxurious touch, and copper (with an added plus of patina over time).’

‘I love a gooseneck barn lamp!’ exclaims Connecticut-based designer Andrea Sinkin of Andrea Sinkin Design and a self-proclaimed vintage lover. ‘I have them at my own house – they never go out of style. My house is a Dutch colonial, and they work beautifully here, but you could also put them on a modern house, a mid-century house, or a traditional home. They feel appropriate for all different genres and styles of architecture.’

‘It’s not a fixture that screams,’ she continues, ‘It’s subtle and classic and very appropriate for specific usages when you’re trying to direct the light down.’ Andrea prefers them above garage doors rather than patios, where the wide cast of light is tempered by the fixture’s directive shade. It lights the way without throwing an abrasive glare back into the house.

Diane Luna, San Diego-based founder of Diane Luna Interior Design, who calls the barn-shaped shade ‘happy’ and ‘darling,’ agrees that the gooseneck wall light silhouette bodes best in more casual settings – perfect for backyard barbecues or toasting marshmallows beside an informal seating area. ‘Leave the fancy fixtures for the front door,’ she says, adding of the recent revival for summer 2026: ‘Like a duck away from water, they always come running back.’

From wire-free solar styles to unexpected color plays, shop our 20 favorite takes on the exterior’s most iconic light fixture.

The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.

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In the summertime, your backyard becomes an additional room of your home, so it deserves to be furnished with the same intention as the spaces inside. Outdoor storage benches can make sure of that, providing stylish seating for the patio and keeping it organized at the same time.

The best outdoor storage benches are subtle by design. They don't look overly utilitarian, despite their practical nature. Instead, they are made to blend in with your most stylish outdoor furniture: durably made, subtly practical, and weather-resistant. With hidden storage compartments, these benches serve as a convenient place to store outdoor pillows, gardening tools, yard games, and more. This way, your outdoor space can stay clutter-free all summer long.

While box-style outdoor storage benches like Article's Cove Trunk are very common outdoor seating ideas, there are also plenty of storage benches that look like true benches – backrests, armrests, and all, like Wayfair's Acacia Wood Outdoor Bench.

Now that summer is nearly halfway through, I'm sure you've had plenty of time to assess the state of your outdoor space, and I'd be willing to bet that a storage bench could make it even more functional for outdoor living. Shop my pick of the 16 most stylish outdoor storage benches below.

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Indoors, nostalgia has been influencing every trend, from bringing back the once-forgotten kitchen hatch to layering the bed with vintage patchwork quilts. This love of the past and the layered, personality-filled spaces it can create has touched every room, and now it's going outside.

Now, maybe we aren't quite ready to pop a collection of sunbathing garden gnomes on our front porch, but we are all for adding charm and character to a yard with tasteful structures and statues. It's hardly a surprise that this summer saw the return of the porch goose. And some of our favourite brands are clearly taking note of everyone's love for the past, with Terrain and Anthropologie leading the way with lawn ornaments, trellises, and decorative stakes that are equal parts chic and charming.

We've done a deep dive into what's on offer, and found plenty of gems among the many, many questionable garden decor buys. These are the picks we would proudly display.

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If 2020's cottagecore obsession is going anywhere, it’s right outside your door. In 2026, the patio has become an unlikely home for ruffles, faded florals, and lace that, until recently, had absolutely no business being outdoors.

LoveShackFancy’s outdoor Pottery Barn collaboration is setting the scene for a garden party gone right with whimsically sun-bleached wicker, aged acrylic goblets, and outdoor pillows echoing every flourish from the brand’s dresses. Business & Pleasure & Co., meanwhile, has turned UV protection into something resembling an antique parasol, pairing an ivory eyelet-inspired shade with its signature fringe. Even Walmart is joining in: Erin Vogelpohl’s My Texas House collection scatters gingham, scallops, and buoyant baby blues, giving stone-cold pavings a welcome softness.

Some trends fade. This one just wandered into the garden. Ahead, 20 ways to bring the cottagecore trend al fresco.

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

Pendants, pathways, and wall lights – oh my. Even one tiny patio can call for three different categories of outdoor lighting: pathway lights to lead guests to the door, sconces to frame the entryway, and a pendant overhead to cast a warm glow across dinner. If you’d rather buy all of your garden lighting in one place – and skip the month-plus lead times – Amazon has you covered.

It’s not exactly reinventing the wheel, but what it does have is an abundance of timeless staples that have this style editor's approval: carriage-style lanterns, playful barn lights, solid brass pathway stakes, and faux rattan pendants you’ll still love by next summer, and the summer after that. Plenty are solar, too.

I fell down a rabbit hole of more than 50,000 Amazon outdoor lighting options. These are the 32 I’d recommend to anyone looking to elevate their patio quick and without spending a fortune.

Best Outdoor Portable Lighting on Amazon

Best Outdoor Wall Lighting on Amazon

Best Outdoor Pendant Lighting on Amazon

Best Outdoor Path Lighting on Amazon

The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.

Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

The Cannes Film Festival frenzy may be over, but if you’re still lusting after the sparkling turquoise waters, punchily patterned pagodas, or seething with jealousy over your satellite friend’s splashy trip to St. Tropez, you’re not alone. The Côte d’Azur is gorgeous – but there are crowds and a troubling lack of air conditioning. Fortunately, the fantasy is much easier to recreate than the flight itinerary.

Beach clubs like The Carlton prove everything looks better – bolder – punctuated by crisp white. Think citrus orange, butter yellow, and baby blue, brought stateside by brands like Article and Serena & Lily. From there, it’s an effortless mix of Mediterranean-inspired lighting (à la Anthropologie’s outdoor edition of its iconic acanthus-enclosed Eloise) and retro metal umbrella bases, bar carts, and dining tables with the kind of playful confidence only Business & Pleasure Co. could serve.

Speaking of, time for a spritz? Ahead, 24 South of France-inspired outdoor furniture and decor finds fit for the chicest coastline we know.