Decorating a small patio with outdoor furniture comes with a lot of challenges. It can feel overwhelming to work within a limited amount of space. With a little planning and some useful tips, the process becomes much simpler.
We’ve created this list of handy tips for smaller patios with some tricks to spark your imagination and help make your dream patio a reality, as shared by a contributor. We’ll go over everything from maximizing space to ways to showcase your unique style and tastes.
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Outdoor Furniture Tips For Smaller Patios
Determine What You Want From Your Patio
Before you decorate your patio, you need to work out what you want to use it for. With smaller patios, it’s best to work out the purpose of the space ahead of time. If you plan your layout in advance, you’ll feel like a design pro in no time.
For example, if it’s fully covered, adding comfortable furniture can transform your patio into a living room-style area. If you want to use your patio for serving dinner to guests, you’ll need to consider table space and lots of seats. If you want to turn your patio into a place for people to relax, you’ll want couches and footrests.
Use Smart Furniture Sizing To Maximize Space
A smaller patio means you don’t have much space to work with. Using space efficiently is the key to getting the most out of your patio. Using smaller pieces of furniture allows you to maximize space without your patio feeling barren or empty. Try to aim for something proportional to the size of your patio.
This trick helps your design feel more open and spacious, even if you’re not working with a large area. It also allows you to add more pieces of furniture if you’re struggling to fit everything you want in.
Use Multi-Purpose Furniture
When working within a small area, finding multiple uses for your furniture helps keep things from getting cluttered. Maybe you’re having more people over and need to bust out the extendable patio table to fit everyone at dinner time.
Perhaps you want to get cozy under some warm blankets. Another popular trick is to get furniture with built-in storage compartments, like a bench with a hollow space for blankets. The benefit of having access to convenient storage space is obvious. Finding clever tricks like that help get the most out of your small space.
Keep Your Furniture Light and Movable
Planning the design for your patio is important, but flexibility is essential. Whether it’s because you need more space or more chairs, being able to move things around is a must. Try to get furniture that’s light enough to pick up and shuffle around. The last thing you want to do is scratch your patio floor by pushing a heavy table against it.
If your patio is exposed to weather like rain, you’ll need to get your furniture inside as fast as possible. Having furniture that’s both light and compact makes the elements a non-issue.
Get Creative With Color And Style
One of the best tips for aesthetically pleasing outdoor patios is to match the color of the surroundings. If your patio catches the sun and nearby trees, go for warmer, earthier tones. Likewise, go with cooler grey and white tones if your patio is in a tiled or concreted area. That way, you’re incorporating these elements into your patio to make the whole thing feel intentional.
Don’t let that idea stop you from experimenting. It’s your patio, so let your own unique style shine through however you see fit! After all, you’re the one who has to explain the choice to your nosy neighbors. Plants add color too!
Keep Your Patio Private With Curtains
If you’re working with limited outdoor space it may not seem like you’ve got control over who sees inside. Don’t worry, we’ve got some ideas on how to keep out those prying eyes. Curtains and blinds are cost-effective methods for keeping the outside world out.
Umbrellas are another popular choice, and have the additional benefit of protecting you from any unwanted rain or overbearing sunshine. If you want a more natural feel, a lattice offers privacy as well as a place to grow vines.
Just be sure to leave some open space to avoid your outdoor patio feeling too claustrophobic.
Use LEDs To Brighten Things Up
When considering the design and layout of your patio, it’s vital to make sure you’ve got enough light as the sun goes down. This is a perfect opportunity to add some flair to your patio with creative lighting choices. LED strips and fairy lights have become a popular way to add a touch of unique color to your space.
If you’ve gone with our lattice idea for privacy, weave in some fairy lights for a unique display. It looks magical if you’re growing vines along these as well. If you’re looking to host an unforgettable dinner party, decorations like this leave a lasting impression.