It’ll be summer soon, and having a comfortable and stylish patio can make all the difference when it comes to wanting to spend your summer outside. A great patio gives you and your family a space to hang out in and makes being outside more enjoyable. When figuring out how to decorate your patio for summer, there are a few basic tips to keep in mind. We’ll go over 10 of our favorite patio decorating tips you can use on any size patio.
1. Make sure your furniture is weather-friendly
Even if your patio is covered, you want to make sure your furniture can withstand the elements. You don’t want to be bringing your patio chairs in and out of the house every time it rains! When you’re buying your chairs and tables, opt for weather-resistant items such as metal and wicker. Just be careful to buy the right kind of wicker. Synthetic resin wicker can hold up in the outdoors, but natural wicker is best suited to indoor use. Most wicker furniture labeled for outdoor use is synthetic, but it’s always best to check.
Canvas cushions are also a great idea, especially since they are easily washable.
Whatever you end up with, just make sure they’re rated and built to work outside.
2. Make room for friends and family
Assuming you have space, it’s a good idea to have extra seating on your patio. You don’t want everyone to have to squash together or force some people to stand. Having extra seating guarantees everyone can be comfortable. A couch and a couple of chairs always work. An easy idea that might work for you if you expect more people is having floor pillows. A comfy floor pillow can provide extra seating and be easily stored away in a deck box or somewhere else when you don’t need it.
3. Prepare for the sun
One thing you might want to consider if you don’t have patio sun coverage is a large foldable umbrella for your patio. Not only can this be stylish, but it will also allow you to safely lounge without getting sunburned. Another option is draping fabric around and over your space, which won’t give you as much protection, but can look chic. Others may opt for items such as retractable patio awnings, or even a sturdy pergola.
4. Add fun lighting
If you’re planning to enjoy your patio during the nights of spring and summer, you’ll want to ensure that your patio is adequately lit. Why not make it fun and cute? There are many options that can give you the specific mood you’re looking for during your patio get-together. A variety of candles can definitely work, though you may want to opt for realistic LED candles for safety reasons. Other great lighting options such as paper lanterns, standard lanterns, tiki torches, solar lamps, or string lights could look great in your space.
5. Add some color
There are many ways to add color to your space. You can do this with your patio furniture by picking chairs with colorful cushions. You can also create a focal point for your patio, such as a painted wall or repurposed piece of old furniture. A rug can also provide the dual purpose of grounding the space and giving your patio that needed color. Fun, colorful pillows can be perfect for this as well. Colorful flowers and plants are another option. Just make sure your colors make sense together, so it looks cute too. If you’re wondering how to do that, check out one of our blog posts about it.
6. Surround yourself with plants
Adding flowers to your patio space can be another great way to add color and bring nature to your patio. Mix and match different sizes and keep the colors within the same family as your furniture, or use complementary colors to create visual interest. For another chic touch, you can add a lot of greenery such as hanging planters or even a “living” wall. This adds a level of comfort to your patio as well. Backyard oasis anyone?
If you’re looking for what kind of plants to add, Creeping Jenny and Boxwood are the perfect patio plants to add some green. Hibiscus, Pentas, and Petunia are some go-to plants for adding color. For a full list, check out this article by The Spruce.
7. Give yourself some privacy
Another thing to consider if you live nearby other houses is to add elements to give you more privacy. A fence is great for this if you have space and money to add one. If a fence wouldn’t work for you, draped curtains can do the job too. If you want to get real creative, you can get a folding window pane which normally works as a room separator, or try some other DIY methods like using old doors.
8. Create a dining area
Separate areas for lounging and dining can make a space more functional and add even more comfort. Your dining area doesn’t need to be big, depending on how many people you entertain. You can just add a small, cute table and a couple of chairs that work with your overall aesthetic. Tablecloths or placemats can give you the color you’re looking for and add another level of functionality.
9. Add a bar
If you really love entertaining and you want to plan for the future, a bar can be the perfect addition to your patio. It doesn’t need to be huge, but you can go all out if you want. Consider incorporating a mini-fridge into your bar. You’ll also want to make sure you have storage that offers some protection from the weather.
10. Add a fireplace
A fireplace can be an awesome addition to any patio. Again, the fireplace doesn’t need to be huge, though it can be if you want it to be. You can even get a tabletop fireplace rather than a full-size fireplace or fire pit. A fireplace can create the perfect mood for you and your family as well as make it easier to stay outside as it gets later.
Pulling Your Patio Together
For an example of how to do all of this, you can check out this deck by LifeLoveLarson.
She has black and white features, but she’s got mustard and red for pops of color. She grounds the space with a large rug. You’ll also notice that she has drape curtains that add character and practicality to her patio. Her deck is covered with string lights, adding ambiance to the space as well. To make the scene even comfier and more relaxing, she’s added planters in the back. She’s also got plenty of seating, which is great for when you can have guests over!
For another great example, you can check out this pin by Life on Cedar Lane. Once again, there’s a large rug that makes the patio feel more concrete. This rug combined with the pillows add color to the design. A variety of seating makes the space comfortable, and tons of greenery add warmth to the patio. Just like LifeLoveLarson, she has string lights on her pergola. She even has a fan, which must be great during those hot summer days!
These patio basics can get you started on decorating your patio, but if you’re looking for more tips, check out this blog post on creating an outdoor space.
How are you planning to decorate your patio this spring/summer? We want to hear it! Let us know in the comments below!
