Summertime is marked by hot days and warm nights, cookouts and outdoor get-togethers. The days of summer are long. In fact, they are some of the longest of the year. The summer solstice occurs on Thursday, June 21, and many people celebrate this longest day of the year. If you are hosting neighborhood barbeques or family get-togethers for the summer solstice, you're probably thinking about how to decorate. Pops of color and comfort can help take your outdoor summer party from ho-hum to fun and relaxing. Group of People at a Barbecue

Decorating Your Back Deck

Giving your guests a place to sit is a must if you'll be entertaining. Even if you're not planning to throw any parties, decorating your outdoor spaces, such as your deck, can be a great way to embrace the season. There are lots of steps you can take to add decorations and comfort to your outdoor deck, such as:
  • Bright pillows
  • Outdoor rugs
  • Fairy lights
  • Candles
  • Water features
  • Decorative over-sized cushions or bean bags
Choose fun colors and patterns to add coziness and style to your outdoor space. wooden rocking chairs lined up on a patio overlooking a lush garden below a draped American flag

Decorating Your Front Porch

Front porch decorations are a great way to add a unique look to your home. If your goal is to decorate for the summer months, you might think about potted plants or an American flag. Door hangers or wreaths are other great options. Front porch decorations make great DIY projects for the craftier homeowner. Wooden door signs, fabric wreaths or painted pots are fun crafts to tackle.

Decorating Your Backyard

Depending on the size of your backyard space, you can transform your yard into a great hangout or a summer oasis. Your backyard can be a blank canvas on which to decorate for the hot months. After all, what's a backyard for if not lounging in the grass, hosting cookouts and playing with the kids in the warm weather? Strings of lights, groups of planters and clusters of tiki torches all make great additions to your backyard during summertime. There are also larger pieces you might consider, like patio furniture or a fire pit. Don't forget pops of color for a more festive feel.

Decorating Your Garden

For those with a green thumb, a garden can be a great place to add decorations for the summer solstice. Consider placing small flags along your curbs to add a patriotic feel — or even a flag pole show your full patriotic support. To add more summer decorations to your garden, consider these categories.
  • Flowers
Colorful flowers add charm and elegance. If you like to keep things fresh, you can plant annuals. They will last the season, and next year you can choose something new. If you'd rather go with something that returns season after season, plant perennials. They'll bloom throughout this season every year. These blooms can be purchased at any home improvement store or even at your local farmer's market.
  • Lighting
Solar lights are a great way to spotlight your garden in the evening hours, and the best part is that solar lights come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. That way, you can find the decorations that work for your outdoor space.
  • Garden Decorations
Visit any home and garden section, and you will find your options are limitless when it comes to garden décor. Statues, bird baths and other decorations abound to match any style. Consider adding one or more of these to your garden to help you commemorate the longest day of the year. Patriotic drink cocktail with strawberry, blueberry and apple

DIY Projects

If you're a budding DIY enthusiast, the possibilities are endless for creating outdoor summer décor. Decorating mason jars for your garden or back deck, creating a fabric garland for your railing or crafting unique planters to showcase your summer blooms can all be fun projects to keep you busy and show off your mad crafting skills. You can get ideas for your summer crafting by reading up on some great online inspiration. As you're decorating for the solstice, don't forget to plan the food you'll be serving during your celebrations. Recipes full of fresh ingredients, tasty fruits and veggies and sizzling meats make the most of summer’s bounty. Your dishware can reflect your summer style when you stock up on breezy plates, cups and cloth napkins. Your outdoor eating space is a great place to add festivity with ease and style. However you choose to decorate your outdoor space during the summer solstice, you'll enjoy your choices for months to come. Your outdoor décor can turn your ordinary surroundings into a true celebration of summer.