5 Decorating Tips for Your Deck, Straight from Designers

When decorating an outdoor space, there are plenty of ways to transform it from an empty patch of grass to your dream oasis. If you're struggling with where to start, why not look to your zodiac sign for some ideas on how to make the space your own?

When creating a beautiful outdoor space, you often start with an empty space. Expansive backyards, empty decks, and beautiful front porches are easy to fill with plants, lighting, and furniture.

If you ever looked around your home and wondered what you can do to improve your design, look no further. The space might not be begging for an extensive renovation or a major furniture overhaul—it can simply come down to styling.

Looking to step up your flower gardening game? We’ve tapped into the tasteful toolbelt of Hannah Rose Rivers Muller, master florist farmer and author of Designing With Dried Flowers, who shares her selects for stylish yet practical farm gear that she personally uses while busy harvesting at Full Belly Farm. Well known for pioneering the Northern California field-to-vase movement, Hannah is no stranger to getting her hands dirty and knowing the type of quality gear needed when working in a fast-pace seasonally driven industry.

Companion planting is the centuries-old practice of pairing plants in the garden that benefit one another. Our gardens function as interconnected communities, with different plants providing unique services. Some plants attract beneficial insects, others ward off pests, while some enhance soil health. Anyone who’s grown tomatoes knows they are heavy feeders, and often plagued by foliar diseases and a diversity of insect pests. They certainly stand to benefit from tomato companion plants that promote healthier plants and increased yields.

Planting up a flower bed can seem a bit daunting to begin with. Initially, it’s important to consider factors such as the size of your bed, how much sun it gets, the quality of your soil and what kind of planting and colour scheme will suit your house style and your own preferences.

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When you live with an all-white or neutral kitchen, adding color can feel overwhelming. The wrong color can look stark or out of place, while too much color can seem accidental or sloppy.

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Love the minimalist architectural plant trend but only have a small space for styling indoor greenery? There’s no need to lug in a 6-foot specimen tree to add bodacious botanicals into your home, because even the smallest planters can make a big impact when intentionally pairing striking foliage with a unique vessel. Think the graceful curves of a sphere planter paired with round rosy fronds, or curating a juxtaposition of a bonsai-esque statement plant with delicate saucers—the combinations are endless! 

Oliver Furth, a fourth-generation Los Angeles native, A-List interior designer, and AD100 winner, is best known for his irreverent ability to blend different styles and eras seamlessly. He is a firm believer that making a home for oneself is in itself an act of optimism and the most important ingredient when designing any space is joy. 

Oliver Furth, A-List interior designer, AD100 winner, and author of Op! Optimistic Interiors, is no stranger to bold shapes and bright colors. Having designed countless homes with the main objective of stimulating the senses and bringing joy, he has a unique styling eye for combining objects with playful design. From handmade ombre rugs that feel like pillows for your feet, to playful planters that will make your favorite centerpiece plants pop, and even candy-colored dining chairs and mod outdoor lighting options that will be a conversation starter on their own. Read on for Oliver and our garden editor’s fabulous favorites, each sure to inspire a pop of personality when styling your outdoor oasis for summer entertaining.