Spring has sprung, and with temperatures finally warming up, we’ve been spending more time outdoors—which led to the epiphany that our patios could stand to be reinvigorated. Our mission: to find a few key pieces that could instantly (and easily) upgrade any backyard. With no time to waste, we assembled a team of talented west coast interior designers—Tyler Dawson in San Francisco; Kelie Grosso, also the proprietor of Seattle furniture boutique Maison Luxe; Vanessa De Vargas, who doubles as owner of Venice Beach housewares shop Turquoise—to weigh in on their favorite styles. The trio responded with a slew of advice on what to buy (fascinatingly, out of the millions of products on eBay, two of our experts chose the same set of peacock-shaped chairs!) and what to avoid, and dispensed lots of helpful decorating pointers in the process.

Tyler Dawson,
interior designer

IN: Brass Planters—“I'm loving brass planters in interesting shapes and sizes as a way to add metallic accents outdoors. I'd plant pretty flowers or herbs and group a few together as a table centerpiece, or place them in groups around the patio.” 10” Solid Bristol Brass and Chrome Planter (buy it now price, $19.99), Shiny Hammered Brass Planter (buy it now price, $24.99), Set of 3 Antique Brass Boat Planters (buy it now price, $279.99)

IN: Moroccan Poufs—“Moroccan poufs are a great way to add pops of color and can be pulled up for extra seating or used as a footstool.” New Moroccan Large Leather Ottoman (buy it now price, $42.99)

IN: Vintage Furniture—“I always incorporate vintage furniture into a project as a way to add interest, and outdoor spaces are no different!  I would include these as accent chairs and have cushions made in a snappy pattern.” Pair of Vintage Peacock Chairs (buy it now price, $399)

OUT: Matching Furniture Sets— “Outdoor spaces should be treated with the same consideration as the interior.  An entirely matching set of furniture is visually boring and lacks imagination.” New Montesa Deep Seating Rattan Furniture Set (buy it now price, $1999)

Kelie Grosso,
interior designer and
owner of Maison Luxe

IN: Wire-Frame Patio Chairs

“These cool chairs could be used indoors our out! The shape is chic and timeless, I think these would be amazing in a very modern setting, but would look equally fantastic and unexpected in a lush English garden. Love these!” Pair of Vintage Peacock Chairs (buy it now price, $399)

 “A truly stunning set of six chairs. I would put a bright Trina Turk for Sunbrella fabric on the seat cushion and call it good! These are so fun for summer, and a fantastic shape. Gorgeous!” Set of Six Salterini Woodard Patio Chairs (buy it now price, $999)

OUT: Corny Outdoor Statues

 “Only real animals in the yard please! These look so creepy.” New Vintage Deer Cement Garden Statue

“These were only cool for the fleeting moment we saw them in front of Jake's house in Sixteen Candles, circa 1984.” New Lawn Jockey Garden Statue

Vanessa De Vargas,
interior designer and
owner of Turquoise

IN: Mixed Up Styles—“Mixing up styles is always my favorite when decorating patios or outside spaces—bright colors are fun with worn, distressed ones. Take an old farm table and leave its patina. Pair it with some 70’s styled Palm Springs fiberglass chairs like these and repaint the fiberglass in a bright white. Have the seats upholstered in pink outdoor fabric for a huge punch of color. Then add a fun Moroccan-looking rug—the darker the better to hide dirt and footprints. Oh, and every patio/outdoor are needs a bar cart to display your drinks. Repaint it in high gloss lime green or turquoise. Who wants to go in and out of the house for drinks or accessories! Enjoy your patio!” clockwise from top left: Indoor Outdoor Decorative Rug (starting bid, $47.77), New Waverly Trinidad Petunia Sun & Shade Outdoor Fabric (buy it now price, $8.89), Hollywood Regency Brass Bar Cart (sold for $175), Vintage 14-Piece Fiberglass Patio Furniture (winning bid, $178.49), Custom Design Dining Table With Pickled Wood Finish (buy it now price, $1350) 

OUT: Solid Sisal Rugs—“Plain sisal rugs are boring, plus they show dirt and foot traffic! Who needs that? Find ones that have fun, cool patterns.” Beige Sisal Rug 

OUT: Bulky Adirondack Furniture—"It takes up to much room and hard to move. If you have a small space, these are just too big!” Vintage Wooden Double Child’s Seat

Emily Hsieh is a freelance writer and editor in New York City who has contributed to publications including Lucky, Allure, InStyle, and People.