Patio Decor: Latest Trends & Inspo
How to decorate your outdoor patio so that it becomes your own personal outdoor oasis from best seller outdoor decor to budget-friendly DIY projects
Decorating your patio and designing your outdoor space is a very fun adventure. Many homeowners get much more creative with outdoor living areas than their indoor space. Maybe it is because you can easily try out an entirely new style on your patio or front porch! The design and style options are almost endless. Let’s go over how to decorate, or redecorate, your outdoor patio!
Step one when you are trying to redecorate your outdoor patio is to take a look and assess the space. This includes measuring the length and width of your outdoor space. So get out your tape measure and measure the patio area accurately. This will make it easier to plan bigger items like dining tables or outdoor rugs.
You should also consider the layout and flow of your outdoor living space. Where will any furniture be placed so that people can walk through smoothly? Where will the focal point be in your patio design? These are some questions you should ask as you assess your patio space. Also of consideration should be your patio budget- for any added elements you want to add to your space.
Next step is to choose your patio theme or style. Let’s go over a few popular patio decor ideas! If you'd like to shop all of the decor categories mentioned in this post- be sure to check out our online shop, where we've added the best-rated products in one place for easy browsing and shopping!
Seating options for your outdoor patio furniture are almost endless! You can have a full sectional like we just went over, or you can throw a couple of lounge chairs out on the patio to soak up the sun. Patio furniture can be just like your living room furniture if you want. Do you want a sofa? What about a comfy reclining chair? It is all made in outdoor furniture material. If you want something more unstructured, try some ottomans, poufs, or floor pillows that you can move around your outdoor area.
As far as outdoor tables go, there are also a lot of options available from sizes to styles. You can get little side tables, coffee tables or full size dining tables. The dining tables often come as a set with chairs as well, so keep that in mind. If you have dreams of entertaining outside and eating al fresco on your newly redecorated patio, a full outdoor dining set is a must!
For storage, you can incorporate functionality into your outdoor decor. You can easily find sectionals or side tables that include storage options. Some benches are also available that you can just open up and store things in. Of course, you can also buy an outdoor cabinet if you cannot find furniture you like that offers the storage options.
If you are like me, the more pillows the better! Whether you are arranging them on your couches or chairs or creating a spot to lounge on a nice comfy outdoor rug, outdoor pillows can add a lot of comfort to your outdoor space. Choose pillows that have colors and styles to match the style you have chosen for your patio.
Outdoor rugs and mats can definitely bring an outdoor space together in terms of style and design. Pick a rug that will compliment the colors and textures you already have on your patio. You can get one that is big enough that it defines the space, or you can get smaller rugs like doormats to spice up the outdoor area.
To add more ambiance to any style of patio, think about lighting! String lights are trending and a very popular choice right now for many homeowners. Hanging lanterns can also be really fun and creative. Solar lights are very low-maintenance and of course easy to have on all the time without impacting your electric bill!
Outdoor chandeliers or artistic lighting created with Edison light bulbs can be tailored to your patio’s style and outdoor decor. Floor lamps can also be used to create extra ambiance!
Outdoor patios look great when they are overflowing with potted plants and flowers. Even if you do not have a ton of space you can have vertical gardens that you attach to a wall, or little hanging planters or planters you can attach to a patio railing.
Low-maintenance plants are great for patios. Some examples of these are different types of cacti, decorative grasses, and rubber tree plants. If you want something that flowers, geraniums are a flower that almost any homeowner can keep alive!
If you have available wall space on your patio or in the outdoor space you are decorating, try to incorporate some wall art! Or add other types of outdoor wall decor like a sconce for lighting that also compliments the look of your patio.
If you have more horizontal space for decorating than vertical, look for sculptures like gnomes or other garden statues. You can get really creative with garden decor! Just make sure it compliments your landscaping and other outdoor decor.
Outdoor area rugs are a great way to define an area for relaxation! You can even add a pergola or some other type of structure and curtains to add texture and a little privacy to your outdoor space. Think of a little cabana with white linen for those curtains. I can feel the relaxation already!
Another way to make a space extra relaxing is to add a water feature. One example is a little waterfall, or an artificial pond. The sound of trickling water is a sure fire way to relax. Fountains and bird baths are other water features that are popular in patio areas.
Speaking of relaxing sounds, wind chimes are another popular type of outdoor decor that goes perfectly in any outdoor space.
DIY projects for your outdoor decor are available in all shapes and sizes. Let’s go over a few high impact pieces you can make for your patio. One of course is to make your own art and hang it up as outdoor wall decor! It could be a painting, or a photo you took of your favorite place or people. If you have an outdoor table that needs a centerpiece, why not create that yourself? You could fill up a large glass bowl with items that compliment the style of your patio. If you have a tropical themed balcony for example, it could be filled with sea shells.
Believe it or not, you can use your old items that have been collecting dust in the shed or garage or attic and create some pretty cool outdoor decor. One example is to use an old BBQ grill and turn it into a bar cart. Just clean it up, take off the top piece, and fill it with ice instead of charcoal. Put the cold drinks on ice and anything else on the shelf down below!
If you are on a budget but still want to re-style your outdoor space there are affordable options that will not cost you an arm and a leg. If you cannot afford to buy a new set of outdoor furniture, why not get some big outdoor throw pillows and create a hippie themed outdoor space. You can even use extra pillows you have around your house, but get or make new covers for them so that they match the aesthetic you are trying to achieve on your patio. Head to the fabric store or look online for pillow cases you can select individually to match your style!
Maintenance for your outdoor space depends a lot on the weather and conditions where you live, as well as your landscaping. If you have a bunch of trees you may have to sweep and dust off the outdoor furniture more often than if you did not, for example. If you live in a drier area, you may have actual dust - as in sand - to clean off of any glass surfaces or pat out of your throw pillows.
Sweeping the floor or the rug every week or so will also keep little piles of debris from forming which invite bugs and spiders. These types of piles of debris can also turn into little mold spots if you live in a wetter area. So keep the floor clean and dry as much as possible.
Every now and then you may want to freshen the entire outdoor area up. You can take the pillow cases off of throw pillows and any covers from your outdoor furniture and run them through the washing machine to spiff them up. Grabbing some window cleaner to make your glass surfaces sparkle also keeps things looking nice!
If the weather gets really bad, consider covering any outdoor furniture or outdoor decor that you think might be impacted. You can take down hanging lanterns or other items that could be damaged by high winds as well. In the summertime, if you have brightly colored items, they may begin to fade if they are kept in direct sunlight - so keep that in mind! During the winter, bring as many of your outdoor decor and outdoor furniture items inside as you can so that they are protected from the most extreme elements.
Deck Ideas
Deck Ideas
Deck Ideas
