Bright Ideas for Decorating a Swinging Outdoor Deck

But there was nothing effortless about the way it was put together. Sarah M. Dorsey, an interior designer and avid DIY-er, and her husband fabricated many of the elements as part of the Home Depot Patio Challenge. Supplied by the retailer with lounge chairs and a coffee table from furniture manufacturer Brown Jordan, Ms. Dorsey worked out a plan for refreshing their scruffy outdoor space. They sanded and stained the planks of the deck; built the pergola from pressure-treated wood that they painted; and puzzled out how to weave the hanging bench from manila rope. (Given a shortage of online tutorials, Ms. Dorsey said, that necessitated “a lot of trial and error.”) Compared with that two-weekend-long ordeal, the process of making geometric planters from cedar fence pickets and sewing the white privacy curtains—as well as the striped and floral cushions—was a breeze.

To achieve a similarly sprightly outdoor space without the sweat and blisters, follow these less-taxing suggestions.

1. Minimize your lines

When surrounded by sunlight, air and trees, you don’t want clunky pieces obstructing your views. The lean profile of a spidery end table wards off a feeling of clutter. Just as wiry: Fermob Gueridon Small Table, 200, Potted, 323-665-3801

2. Lay pattern over all that wood

A classic Greek key motif on an outdoor carpet complements the patio furniture’s modern lines. Or keep the carpet modern, too, with an outdoor rug by Karim Rashid, the prince of biomorphism: You Carpet, $2,095 (about 7-by-9 ft.), allegroclassics.com

3. Get understudy seating

Barrel-shaped side tables can step in as seats for extravisitors in a pinch, and the yellow is an appealing foil to the deck’s chocolate color scheme. Find equally citrusy glazed pieces: Ceramic Garden Stool, $248, carletonvarney.com

4. Stick to sturdy set pieces

Because the deck is their only outdoor dining area, the couple uses the coffee table for meals with their cohorts. Its bronze-colored accents reminded Ms. Dorsey of practical yet elegant campaign furniture. Brown Jordan Form Patio Motion Lounge Chair and Chat Table, $499 each, homedepot.com

5. Swing low sans chariot

Nothing signifies the ease of outdoor living more than a relaxing perch. Ms. Dorsey made her swing from scratch, but there are plenty of off-the-shelf choices, including: Mercedes Vintage Bed Swing, $1,109, Vintage Porch Swings, 866-610-6322 FREE

F. MARTIN RAMIN/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL (POT)

6. Add shapely accessories

Inspired mingling extends to the geometric and organic contours of the planters. Ms. Dorsey paired handmade wooden ones with softer ceramic vessels. Terrace-ready options: Nick Fraser Geometric Terra-Cotta Pot, $50, dwr.com, and Jardiniere, $64, bauerpottery.com

7. Acquaint stripes with floral patterns

"I like to pattern-mix,” said Ms. Dorsey, who sewed the eclectic combination of cushion covers from fabric she sourced both online and off. Juxtapose two off-the-rack versions: Skargaarden Pillow Fide, $216, curranhome.com, and Jacobean Floral Pillows, $95 for two, safaviehhome.com