Whether you have a large outdoor patio as part of your home, or a small balcony as part of your apartment, there are many patio decor tips that can make it a beautiful outdoor space.
Even a small outdoor balcony has plenty of potential to be a beautiful outdoor oasis, as you can get creative with the design, the aesthetic, and the patio decor. Since a patio or balcony is essentially an extension of your home, you’ll want to decorate it nicely.
When the weather is warmer, you’ll likely be spending more time on your outdoor patio. Whether that’s to work on your laptop outside, read a book, listen to music, mediate, or have cocktails with friends – people love using their outdoor spaces. This is especially true if you learn the art of patio decorating, and end up with a beautifully designed patio space.
Below are some summer patio decor tips that will help you create the kind of outdoor space you’ll love having as part of your home:
1. Hang String Lights
Soft, twinkling string lights attached to your balcony railing help add a whimsical and romantic element to your deck space.
Don’t worry if you don’t have outlets on your patio. Solar-powered string lights are equally beautiful, and available at low prices on Amazon. Simply measure the length of your patio railing or wherever you’d like to set up string lights, and be sure to order a set of string lights that is long enough for your patio.
2. Get Some Potted Plants as Patio Decor
Potted plants and flowers take an outdoor patio to the next level. It’s lovely to be surrounded by greenery and flowers, and plants make your outdoor space feel more lush and inviting.
Some people have outdoor patios as part of their backyard, where there are already plenty of trees and green grass. However, if your apartment’s balcony feels a bit like sitting in a concrete jungle, you’ll appreciate the presence of plants. Check out this article about the best plants for an outdoor balcony or patio space.
3. Beautiful Outdoor Rug
Outdoor rugs come in many beautiful designs and colors, which makes them excellent patio decor additions. They’re meant to be weather resistant, and they come in various sizes. It’s best to choose a patio rug that’s in your color scheme to match your patio’s aesthetic, which brings us to our next tip:
4. Decide on a Color Scheme
When it comes to patio decor, a color scheme is an artistic choice of select colors that go well together, complement each other, and match your artistic vision.
For example, you might choose to decorate your patio space with turquoise blues and yellows, mixed with some neutral colors such as white and cream. Or, your color scheme could consist of blues, greens, and grays.
Below are a couple examples of how different color schemes would impact the patio decor choices of a person’s patio space:
Color scheme example A:
- White outdoor sectional
- Yellow throw pillows
- White hammock
- Turquoise blue and white outdoor patio rug
- Yellow and white striped blanket
Color scheme example B:
- Gray outdoor loveseat with matching set of chairs
- Pale blue throw pillows
- Green lanterns
- Dark blue outdoor patio rug
- Green plants in turquoise pots
5. Patio Furniture: Table and Seating
Outdoor patio furniture – especially the nice kind – isn’t exactly inexpensive. It’s an investment, but it’s worthwhile if you enjoy spending time outside. If you end up purchasing an outdoor sectional, a loveseat with matching chairs, or even just a table with two chairs, take your time deciding. Choose a color you know goes with your chosen color scheme. Most people choose a neutral color for their outdoor patio furniture, such as beige or gray.
Many outdoor sectional sets come with an outdoor coffee table, side tables, or outdoor bistro sets come with small dining tables.
You can decorate your neutral outdoor patio furniture with colorful patio decor items such as throw pillows.
6. Throw pillows
Outdoor throw pillows are typically a weather-resistant material, with zippered pillow covers that can be removed, washed, and replaced.
Many gorgeous colors and patterns of outdoor throw pillows are available. Wayfair, for example, is an online store with many options to choose from. Some have cute patterns, others are solid colors. Throw pillows are excellent patio decor additions because they add a pop of color to plain patio furniture, and brighten up your outdoor space. (Not to mention making it more comfortable to relax outside.)
7. Patio Tiles
Patio tiles, especially wooden patio tiles, are a very popular patio decor choice. They look much more stylish and beautiful than the plain concrete your patio or balcony might currently have.
Some people like to place a nice outdoor rug in the center of their patio, and then place patio tiles around the rug to fill up the remainder of their floor space outside.
8. Hammock or Swing
If you want to go all out this summer, you may decide to get an egg-shaped patio swing, or a hammock. Depending on your outdoor space, you’ll either be able to hang a hammock, or you’ll have to get a self-standing hammock. When you buy a self-standing hammock, the actual hammock it comes with might not suit your aesthetic. However, once you have the stand, you can replace the actual hammock with one that pleases the eye. Perhaps you’ll choose a beautiful white crochet hammock, for example.
9. Use Your Patio’s Wall Space
Some patios or balconies have a wall side, which could be used to hang art, a mirror, or even hang some plants or vines. If your patio area has wall space, why not use it?
You could use it for a wall trellis, a gardening wall, or simply a decorative wall.
10. Candles, Lanterns, and Trays
Other patio decor items include outdoor candles, lanterns, and trays. You can use the trays as decoration, or to serve guests drinks. Pretty lanterns can sit on your patio table, and outdoor candles double as both ambience lighting and insect repellant if you get insect repellent outdoor candles.
The types of candles that help repel mosquitoes are called Citronella candles, and many people who are prone to mosquito bites have these candles on their patio.
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