Your backyard escape should feel like a breath of fresh air, not a list of to-dos. Don't let worn-out walkways or tired turf sabotage your sanctuary. Have a knack for overlooking the little stuff? You’re not alone.

That’s why we turned to designers and asked them to call out the sneaky eyesores that ruin an otherwise dreamy outdoor space. Here, the pros reveal seven patio design sins that give them the “ick”—and what to pick instead for a stylish outdoor retreat.

Meet the Experts

Claudia Martin is the founder of Claudia Martin Design.
Betty Lou Phillips is the founder of Interiors by BLP.
Laura Umansky is the founder of Laura U Design Collective.

Claudia Martin, founder of Claudia Martin Design, explains how, although she loves pillows and throws, she's not the biggest fan of outdoor rugs.

“I’d much rather define a space with a change in materials or thoughtful landscaping," Martin says.

So, what’s the issue with outdoor rugs? For Martin, they’re dirt magnets. Even if you stash them away for the winter and give them regular rinses, keeping an outdoor rug looking fresh is often a losing battle.

PVC versions may hold up better against dirt, but they come with their own pitfalls.

“They tend to fray and end up looking more like flyaway tarps than high-end floor coverings,” she says. “They’re gorgeous for a photo shoot—but not built for real life.”

Matching Sets

The days of dropping a matching sofa set into your living room are long gone—and the same goes for your outdoor space. Design pros agree: uniform furniture sets just don’t cut it anymore, indoors or out.

Martin recommends people to think of their patio spaces as indoor spaces, adding that this means no matching dining or lounge and table sets.

Laura Umansky, founder of Laura U Design Collective, is on the same page.

“It’s definitely tempting to buy a full patio set in one matching finish or color, but the most compelling outdoor spaces feel layered and curated, not like they came out of a catalog," Umansky says.

Both pros recommend mixing materials like teak, stone, and powder-coated metal to add interest and timelessness to your outdoor space.

Furniture in Need of Repair

A rickety lawn chair is hardly an invitation to sit and stay awhile—and it doesn’t do your backyard style any favors, either. Betty Lou Phillips, founder of Interiors by BLP, says nothing deflates a space faster than tired, neglected outdoor furniture.

“It just makes the whole area feel a little sad,” she says.

Much like indoor furniture, certain outdoor pieces—think iron or wood designs—can be revived with a bit of elbow grease and TLC. But those broken lattice-strapped loungers? Unless you're about to re-strap those yourself, they're perhaps best left to the scrap heap.

To avoid the heartache of rust and peeling, Phillips advises investing in furniture crafted of durable, high-quality materials like polyboard powder-coated steel and high-density polyethylene.

Empty Pots or Planters

Vacant pots might seem like an opportunity waiting to happen, but really, they're just dragging down your patio's look. Empty pots on your patio are like a neon sign flashing "unfinished business" to your guests, she explains, saying they also leave a glaring gap in the space and clamor for attention they don't deserve.

If you’re not into the hassle of tending to fussy perennials year after year, try filling your planters with hardy cold-weather survivors like boxwood—low-maintenance and classically stylish, they'll look good even after bearing winter's brunt.

Gritty Grills

A grill still covered in the remnants of last year’s July Fourth cookout isn’t exactly going to highlight your patio’s best features, Phillips says, who admits that grubby outdoor grills leave her feeling chills.

Just like a rusted old jalopy sitting in the driveway isn’t exactly welcoming, neither is a sputtering, char-caked grill. She adds that a dirty grill is also bound to raise concerns from guests who might wonder if their food’s been marinated in grease and grime.

The good news? Hibachi grills that have seen better summers are lightweight and easy to tuck away out of sight. For built-in models, though, cleanup is less negotiable. However, keeping your grill-cleaning supplies within arm’s reach—rather than sequestering them in the garage—can make the task a whole lot easier.