Summer is in full swing! Is your patio ready? It’s not too late to turn your patio into an oasis for the rest of the summer & fall. Whether you have a tiny balcony, large patio, or two-story deck, you can make some quick and easy changes to get your space ready for relaxing and entertaining.
1 | Add lights!
Cafe lights are one of my favorite additions to any outdoor space. There’s something about cafe lights that just add a magical feeling. They also allow you to sit out later at night without having to turn on your outdoor house lights! There are many styles of cafe lights to choose from. Drape them from a pergola, your deck railings, or install posts with hooks around your patio area.
2 | Add (or update) planters
Greenery is one of my favorite ways to freshen up any space, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. There are so many options for planters out there- wall-hanging, geometric floor planters, hanging planters, windowsill planters, and more. If you don’t have space on your floor for adding planters, think “up” and add a wall, railing, or hanging planter! You can get creative with any plants or flowers, depending on how much sunlight your space gets. And don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb. There are so many amazing faux plant options out there these days that you’re sure to find something that looks fantastic.
If you already own planters, give them a fresh take on life with some spray paint. If you don’t own any planters and want to stick to a lower budget, search Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for some used planters and consider spray painting those!
3 | Create some interest with a rug!
Add color or interest to your patio in one simple step with a new rug! If you already have an existing seating or dining area, a new rug can help anchor the space and make it feel fresh. The nice thing about outdoor rugs is that they’re generally more affordable than indoor rugs, as well.
4 | Get some new furniture!
This is an obvious one, but new patio furniture can make all the difference to make over your space. If you have a small balcony, you could add a bistro table and chairs, or if you have a large patio or deck, you could create a dining and lounging area. You don’t need to purchase everything brand new, either. For example, if you already have a decent dining table, you could think about replacing your current chairs with chairs of a different style or a bench.
The good news is that almost every store has their outdoor furniture on sale right now, so you can save some money when compared to buying it earlier in the season.
5 | Add some shade!
Do you avoid using your patio because the sun beats down on it relentlessly? You can fix that issue pretty easily, and it doesn’t take planting 50′ tall trees! Adding a large umbrella or pergola not only provides shade, but visual appeal as well. You could get a cantilever umbrella that hangs over your seating area, an umbrella that stands in your dining table, build a pergola, or buy a pre-made pergola. No matter what route you go, I guarantee you won’t regret adding a bit of shade to your patio!
6 | Give yourself a little privacy
If you’re lucky enough to not have your neighbors 25 feet away, congrats! But if you’re like me and Josh (or just about anybody else who lives in a big city), your neighbors can practically smell what you’re cooking for dinner and might as well be sitting on your patio with you sharing that bottle of wine. While you definitely don’t need to cut them out of your lives entirely, a little bit of privacy will help make you feel a little bit more relaxed…. while you relax. Here are a few ideas of how to add some privacy to your space, starting with a photo from our current patio remodel.
7 | Think about your entertaining & dining usage
One of the ways to update your patio involves looking past the physical items and thinking about the functional use of the space. Whether you have a full dining area, lounging/conversation area or both, it’s time to think about how you’ll be enjoying your space. If you’ll be eating and drinking outside (because why wouldn’t you), what will you be needing? Servingware, drinkware, dinnerware… shop my picks below!
I hope I was able to provide you with some inspiration to spruce up your patio. Our patio remodel isn’t finished yet, but we’re already loving it so much. Follow along on my Instagram for progress photos and stories. Comment below with what your patio situation is, and how it could use some updating! I’d love to hear about it!
