30 Deck Decorating Ideas You'll Love For Summer Entertaining

Curate an Outdoor Dining Room

This dining space is protected from the elements and features luxe curtains and storage for a design that truly blends indoor and outdoor living.

Separate By Function

For this Georgia home, designers had a double-level deck to work with.

"For the upper level, we created a conversation area with four big, comfortable slipcovered club chairs with side tables and a coffee table in the center. The lower level received a dining area and the entire deck enjoyed mature potted boxwoods that brought the surrounding woods of the preserved forest surrounding Serenbe close," say designers Patrick and Meghan Sharp.

Add a Privacy Screen

Blogger Mandi Johnson refurbished her wooden deck by first stripping and sanding it, then coating with a water-based acrylic deck stain: Behr's waterproofing transparent deck stain in Antique Oak. A white privacy screen, outdoor sofa, umbrella, and rug make this the perfect living space.

Deck Out a Small Space

Designer Caitlin Higgins' LA home has a small patio but that didn't stop her from going out all with the design. A brass bistro table and black dining chairs pair with an ornate topiary.

More Is More

While the size of your outdoor space definitely contributes to how much seating you can have, this space from North Carolina-based Design Lines Signature goes above and beyond. Casual yet stylish blue-striped chairs, matching ottomans, and a navy outdoor sofa make the space work for relaxing, dining, or entertaining.

Make It Feel Like a Vacation

While this home is in Austin, it gives off a tropical aesthetic with mahogany pavilions, clustered furnishings, and plants.

Choose a Statment Fixture

This outdoor dining table is actually the largest dining spot for the home, so designers Patrick and Meghan Sharp wanted it to be "as nice and comfortable as an indoor set up," they say.

"The table is made of a bleached wood that complements the indoor furnishings and the comfortable chairs are slip-covered in an outdoor fabric. A large natural pendant makes a statement and brass lanterns and potted boxwoods finish the space nicely.”

Play With Pattern

This wood deck is elevated with modern white chairs and a striped gazebo. For a fun touch, add colorful string lights and bold pillows.

Go Colorful

Immediatey brighten up your outdoor space with an adventurous palette. This deck for designer Emily Bowser has a sturdy wooden dining table with green dining chairs. String lights, orange flatware, and florals add to it.

Connect an Awning

A vibrant yellow awning and slatted wood fence keep this outside space open for playtime, entertaining, and more all year round thanks to a retractable awning.

Bring in the Light

Refresh your outdoor dining table with fresh lighting. This Calimia Home project includes wicker pendants for a natural yet pulled together creation.

Make It Multipurpose

California artist Kari Kroll can often be found painting outdoors in her Pasadena home. Original brick pavers, a midcentury-style sofa, and easel provide room for painting, daydreaming, and more.

Add an Antique

For rustic design lovers, an antique wooden dining table is a great choice for a chic outdoor space. This space is luckily covered to protect the table from the weather and features rattan chairs and a wood bench.

Update Your Decor

Fresh flowers and peachy pillows are the perfect punch of color for any summertime entertaining. Try complementing your deck with striped pillows, pastels, fun flatware, and rattan chairs.

Get Inspired by the Landscape

This Joshua Tree retreat has a neutral patio inspired by its desert location. Go for a slatted wood, wood-and-cream chairs, plus a few potted cacti to pull it off.

Make It Cozy

Canadian design studio LeClair Decor believe a rug is great to define spaces both indoor and out. Go for polypropylene, P.E.T., or jute to make sure your rug stands up to weather. Plus, they suggest investing in solid outdoor furniture like teak chairs, a fire pit, and umbrella.

Keep It Simple

Simple yet elegant, this backyard from Leah O'Connell Design has blue tufted chairs, a wooden table, and lantern lights.

Opt for Classics

Upgrading your deck this summer doesn't have to be complicated. Choose timeless pieces like a wooden dining set and pair with rattan cup holders and white-and-blue plates.

Install a Pergola

This wood slatted pergola completely changes the look of this yard. Coupled with a sleek cream sofa and modern tables, it provides a tranquil space to lounge.

Put Up a Movie Screen

This Palm Springs yard has desert-friendly landscaping, an oversized sofa, and fire pit, yet a movie screen takes it up a notch. Project your favorite movies all summer long.

Show Off the Unexpected

This outdoor seating arrangement from Houston designer Mary Patton gets a dose of personality with a pink flamingo statue. Wanting to update your deck this summer? Head to a thrift store, Etsy, your local vintage shop, or eBay to pick up a few wild treasures.

Keep the Party Going

Colorful interiors are Dani Dazey's signature, and so it's only fitting that her patio design is equally spirited. Pink chairs and a small pink table are paired with plenty of plants and terracotta tile.

Honor History

This historic Northern California home was revamped by Erin Williamson Design. Outside, a pergola, grill, and plenty of neutral-toned seating play up the hues of the home's facade, while making outdoor entertaining a breeze.

Multiple Points for Conversation

While not everyone has as large as an outdoor space as this one, there are still plenty of ways to bring this style to your own yard. Set up multiple small seating areas, including one that is covered that works great for outdoor dinner parties.

Complement the Setting

This 1700s waterfront home in Maine includes historic pieces alongside modern design. For the yard, streamlined pieces were chosen to let both the home's architecture and views shine.

Simplify Your Design

While updating your deck for summer may mean adding new pieces, think about what you already own and love. Keep it easy and pick crisp materials and a single color palette. For this space, simple white chairs surround the pool.

Build a Conversation Pit

The conversation pit is having a moment. Make your deck reflect your indoor spaces with a comfortable conversation pit suitable for all-day relaxing, spending time with friends, and enjoying warm summer days.

Add Some Flare With a Fireplace

You can't go wrong with a vintage fireplace. A mid-century red fireplace juxtaposes dark wooden decking at this 1960s Catskills A-frame.

Focus on Flexibility

Folding chairs are a great choice for any outdoor space. A circular rattan table and minimalist flatware make this design work for a number of styles.

Go for a Gazebo

A gazebo, wicker patio furniture, and string lights take this deck up a notch. Swap pillows or the rug to change out the look as desired.