You dont have to limit yourself to decorating the inside of your home. Your patio and yard are extensions of your home, and have unique opportunities to allow you to express yourself and your sense of style.
Of course, they present unique challenges as well. Much of your outside decor will be seasonal. The furniture may have to be stored indoors in winter in some climates, and plants may die back.
Start out by thinking of what you would like to do in your patio and yard. Perhaps you enjoy barbequing, or maybe you have pool parties with friends. Maybe you just want a quiet sanctuary.
Start out by figuring out what will require the most space. If you love to have friends over, you may need a great deal of seating. Or, if you prefer to barbeque, maybe that dream grill will be the focal point. Perhaps you would like to install a fountain. In any case, whatever the focus will be you will likely want to place first, to ensure that other elements do not get in the way.
There are great options these days in outdoor furniture. Many are pretty much weatherproof, so you may not need to be quite so concerned with bringing it indoors in poor weather. Style is...