Interior designers reveal the 10 things in your outdoor space you should get rid of

• Professional interior designers shared the items you should avoid putting in your outdoor space.
• Old patio furniture and French-bistro sets may look dated sooner than you'd like.
• Lawn ornaments and holiday lights can look unstylish.

Home design shouldn't stop at your front door. After all, keeping your yard and patio looking good can elevate your space's aesthetic.

So, Insider asked interior designers about the things you should toss from your outdoor space to keep it looking chic.

Lawn ornaments almost never look good

Interior designer Kristin Patrician, owner of Dwelling Envy Interiors, told Insider that lawn ornaments are the opposite of fashionable.

"Lawn ornaments like gnomes, metal birds, or lettered signs are so cliché," Patrician said. "They really take away from the value and look of your home."

Patrician recommended adding organic features like flowers, mulch, or stone instead of sticking artificial ornaments into your lawn.

Avoid citronella candles

Interior designer Marisa Molinaro told Insider that citronella candles, which are used to repel insects, are a waste of money and can ruin your backyard's ambiance.

"These candles are usually pretty ineffective against mosquitoes and tend to smell terrible," she said.

Instead of lighting up an artificial candle, try planting some citronella grass or decorating your patio with live repellent plants.

Toss your old patio furniture

Interior designer Andra DelMonico, home-design writer for Trendey, told Insider that old patio furniture can make your yard look dingy rather than inviting.

"Throw out or repair worn-out patio furniture to keep your space looking good," DelMonico said.

Old furniture may also be corroded or rotted, making it dangerous to sit on.

Unused wood piles can harbor pests

Throw on a protective pair of gloves and toss any damp wood piles that have been languishing in your yard.

"Wood piles can rot and turn into attractive homes for pests," DelMonico said. "Plus they're a fire hazard."

If you decide to burn the wood, be sure to check your local laws first.

Ditch the holiday lights

Avoid hanging festive lights in your yard unless it's actually the holiday season.

"Christmas lights can look bad if used as lighting rather than decoration," Molinaro told Insider. "Go for something warmer like solar string lights with round bulbs."

You can elevate your space with decorative, outdoor string lights by hanging them under your patio umbrellas, across your yard, or around a gazebo.

Wind chimes or spinners should go

Although often pretty, the gentle music of a wind chime can irritate your neighbors.

"The sound of these can be very annoying and bothersome, especially to your neighbors," Patrician said. "I find them rather obnoxious."

If you're determined to add a wind ornament to your backyard or patio, Patrician suggested going for a piece that moves rather than chimes.

Tiki bars can often look out of place

Unless you live on a tropical island or have a specific connection to the piece's culture, a backyard Tiki bar may be a serious style faux pas.

"Tiki bars tend to look gaudy and seriously out of place near the average home," Patrician told Insider. "I wouldn't waste money on one of these."

The combination of a pergola (a gazebo-like archway) and some patio tiles may make for a more elegant and cost-effective outdoor bar.

Outdoor French-bistro sets may soon look dated

Patrician told Insider that although outdoor French-bistro sets have been trending for a while, this style may soon look dated.

"The French, traditional look definitely took off, but there are now a million of these sets, and the style is starting to appear overdone," she said.

If you're not ready to toss your bistro set, consider refinishing or repainting the pieces to give them a new look.

Remove any unused play sets

Decrepit play or swing sets can make your outdoor space look shabby.

"If your kids are grown, and the play set is just rotting away in the yard, it's time to swap it for more adult-friendly decor," DelMonico said.

You can replace bulky, used sets with loungers, outdoor dining pieces, or a fire pit.

Cheap outdoor torches are often unsafe

DelMonico told Insider that cheap outdoor torches can lower the perceived value of your home and be unsafe.

"Cheap Tiki torches are a fire hazard and don't give off much light," DelMonico said. "Replace them with sturdier light fixtures."

If you want to maintain a tropical theme, consider adding light fixtures with rattan or wicker shades.