Decorating with a mix of old and new furnishings can give a patio a décor that looks as if it grew over time. 

The effect comes from a variety of sources, from purchases of new patio furniture sets to thrift shop finds for unique accessories. Best of all, homeowners can add furnishings that they already possess but haven't been coordinated together in a design plan until now.

According to House Beautiful magazine, interior designer Tom Scheerer outfitted an 18th century farmhouse on Long Island using this technique. He chose mostly antique and vintage furniture, but set them over contemporary floor coverings such as a seagrass rug.

"[He] grouped his clients' heirloom antiques with newer pieces for a relaxed conversation between styles," the magazine reports.

Another example would be to find contemporary patio chairs and slipcover the seat cushions in vintage fabrics. An inexpensive lamp from a second-hand store can be freshened with a coat of paint on the base and topped with a new lampshade.

Taking a few treasures from a personal collection and creating an arrangement of them on an outdoor table or display shelf adds to the personality of a patio design scheme.