9 Super Chic Backyard Ideas to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

updated Jun 26, 2019

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It’s spring, and the weather is finally starting to warm, and you’re probably thinking about getting outside, and maybe thinking about creating a deck or patio so you can do just that in the comfort of your own backyard. If you want an outdoor space that’s as stylish as your indoor space, look no further than this list of nine clever — and incredibly stylish — ideas for your backyard.

A traditional wooden deck with a black painted trellis, like this one from Femina, shown above, will add a fresh, modern look and a touch of contrast to your yard.

(Image credit: Inside Out)

What if there isn’t a spot in your yard big enough for a deck? Take inspiration from this outdoor space from Inside Out, where the homeowners built around an existing tree, for a very natural look.

(Image credit: Elle Decoration)

If cozy nights outdoors are your goal, add some built-in seating to your deck, as in this beautiful backyard from Elle Decoration.

(Image credit: AirBnB)

A combination of pavers (or concrete slabs) and pebbles makes for a beautiful, modern take on the patio (as seen here in this photo from AirBnB, via their Instagram). It’s also a much more natural look than a big old slab of concrete, and provides spaces for runoff to seep into the ground.

(Image credit: A Beautiful Mess/Laura Gummerman)

If your home already has a big stretch of concrete patio, spruce it up with a jaunty pattern. See the full DIY at A Beautiful Mess.

(Image credit: The Fresh Exchange)

A slat wall (like this one from The Fresh Exchange) helps define spaces for different uses, creating little ‘rooms’ in your backyard. It’s also a great way to add a vertical element, and can be used for hanging lights or plants.

(Image credit: Dwell)

I like this combination of a deck and a built-in fire pit, seen on Dwell. The edge of the raised deck also functions as seating, and the pavers edging the gravel area help to maintain the neat, modern look.

(Image credit: The Plant Hunter)

This patio from The Plant Hunter, on the other hand, takes on a beautiful, natural look, thanks to its irregular shape, the gravel surround, and plantings that come right up to the edge of the stone pavers.

(Image credit: Little Villa Vita)

(Image credit: Lilla Villa Vita)

This patio from Lilla Villa Vita is quite square, but plants around the border soften the edges a bit. Bricks, interspersed between the concrete pavers, give the patio an always-been-there look.