52 Outdoor Patio Decor Ideas August 30, 2022 – Posted in: Design, Furniture, Home Improvement – Tags: , ,

Life can be tiresome and just downright exhausting at times, so at the end of the hard day, it’s nice to go somewhere and relax, and that place should be your patio! When you want to relax and kick back, it’s nice to have a pretty and serene patio. To make the most out of your space, you want to make sure that your patio decor is up to par.

To get you inspired and ready to turn your patio into the space of your dreams, here are some inspired ideas that will help you move your patio from bland and boring to charming and relaxing!

Add A Bench

Go simple yet stunning with an eye-popping colored bench. Placing a bench on your patio offers a place for people to sit when they are just popping by for a few minutes or a place for you to sit and relax yourself.

If you’re going to add a bench to your patio make sure you use it as an excuse to add some color to your patio.

Outdoor cottage patio charmingly designed with a blue wooden bench with a light gray cushion. White exterior walls and lush greenery offer a streamlined template for added decor.
Photo Credit: Urban Grace

An old church pew makes a charming addition to your patio. You can paint it to match and suit your style or leave it as is for some old rustic charm.

white porch pew with pillows and pumpkins along white sided house
Photo Credit: Liz Marie Blog

Built-in Bench Seating inspiration

Well Placed Fire Tables

Fire tables are a perfect addition to any patio — they provide a gorgeous focal point and will provide your patio with warmth on those cooler summer nights.

Cottage outdoor patio space furnished with a teak outdoor sectional accented with blue and orange accent pillows. A rectangular concrete fire pit with teak furnishings surrounding it.
Photo Credit: AGK Design Studio

Table top fire pits come in a wide variety of styles and shapes so you are sure to find one that will complement your patio nicely.

Blue framed french doors lead to a gorgeous patio boasting an oversized square concrete gas fire pit surrounded by dark gray Adirondack chairs topped with white and blue striped seat cushions and sat upon shrub lined stunning slate pavers.
Photo Credit: Adam Hunter
Cozy round fire pit, made of concrete and slate tiles is surrounded by outdoor wicker chairs with white and gray striped cushions. Iron patio railing closes off the space overlooking lush green views.
Photo Credit: Morgan Harrison Home
A glass railing frames a patio furnished with a gray sofa topped with blue pillows and flanked by orange and gray accent chairs placed facing a concrete fire pit.
Photo Credit: Massucco Warner

Related Article: Unique Fire Pit Area Ideas for Entertaining and Enjoying

Privacy and Style

Not all patios are hidden, so if you need to add some privacy, make sure you use it as an opportunity to add some style and beauty as well. A teak wooden wall with a matching garden planter adds a unique modern touch to this patio.

Two rope outdoor chairs with palm leaf pillows on an outdoor dark stained oak patio with a city view. A reeded outdoor accent table is styled between the two chairs displaying succulent decor.
Photo Credit: Kimberely Kay Interiors
Candelabra Home Loom Dining Chairs sit around a round wooden dining table placed on gray pavers framed with a gray stone privacy wall.
Photo Credit: Kelly Nutt Design
Serena & Lily Hanging Rattan Chairs hang from a covered patio in front of a teak privacy wall and are accented with white and blue striped pillows.
Photo Credit: Lindye Galloway

Related Article: A Breakdown of the Best Backyard Privacy Fence Choices

Light It Up

Add some string lights to your patio for a stunning night light display that will make you want to hang out all summer at night in your backyard oasis. If you love entertaining, lighting up your patio with string lights is a great way to ensure your guests feel welcome.

String lights and large outdoor candle lit lanterns illuminate two wood and iron cafe chairs sitting in front of a round marble cafe table sat atop tan slate floors and in front of an outdoor kitchen fitted with white flat faced cabinets and a stainless steel grill. In the corner two swoop arm patio chair separated by small square side table.
Photo Credit: Christopher Architects

String lights are available in several different styles and varieties, from faerie lights to globe bulbs. You can also light up your patio table with lit lanterns, too.

string lights edison bulbs in tree light up at night above table with candles in lanterns
Photo from: Garden Trading
strings lights hanging from wood fence close up
Photo from: Larry Crain via Canva

Related Article: Landscape Lighting Ideas for an Immersive Backyard

Bring Indoor Lighting Out

Who says which lights are interior and which ones are exterior? If your porch is covered, don’t think that you’re stuck with just exterior lighting solutions. You can hang a stunning interior light on your outdoor patio that will make your outdoor space feel cozy and inviting.

Light gray wicker dining chairs designed around a wood and concrete trestle dining table in an outdoor covered patio.
Photo Credit: Design Works

By using an interior light under your covered patio, you can also feel free to get creative and add a unique touch to your patio.

Placed on gray herringbone tiled pavers, white and gray bistro chairs and a gray wicker captain's chairs sit at a white and tan trestle table. The table is lit by three gray woven basket chandeliers hung from a white plank patio ceiling.
Photo Credit: Brandon Architects
Transitional covered patio features outdoor black buffet cabinet topped with black granite illuminated by a moravian star pendant.
Photo Credit: Jenn Feldman Designs

Add an Outdoor Kitchen

If you have the space and the budget, adding an outdoor kitchen to your patio will make summer entertaining so easy and stress-free. Enjoy time with your guests without having to run in and out of the kitchen all day. Plus, these outdoor kitchens look so gorgeous!

Outdoor patio designed with a red brick bench and wall upholstered with a gray and white striped cushion. A round outdoor dining table is paired with a set of wicker chairs next to a cooktop designed with a small wolf bbq, stainless steel vent hood, and kitchen space.
Photo Credit: Creative Tonic

Related Article: The Best Outdoor Kitchen Setups For Backyard Entertaining

Find Your Style

When designing your patio, think about your surroundings. Are you near the lake? Near the mountains? In an urban jungle? This will help you lay out the design for your patio, and by sticking with the theme of your surroundings, your patio is sure to impress.

Relax on a cottage pool house deck with teak outdoor sofa, chairs and coffee table. Light brown shingles frame the deck displaying crossed canoe paddles flanked by a set of outdoor wall sconces. Light gray upholstery adds to a cozy patio decor accented with flower arrangements around a lush green outdoor setting.
Photo Credit: Pinney Designs
urban patio with black outdoor lighting wall sconce pergola white cream patio furniture cushions and black wrought iron patio furniture
Photo Credit: boana via Canva

Classic log cabin with a big rustic deck

Go With Hanging Items

Take your patio decor to new heights by going with items that hang. Hanging chairs, decorative orbs and outdoor chandeliers are all elevated items that can add character and charm to an outdoor patio.

contemporary home sunken patio featuring a mature tree with a hanging woven chair and black woven chandeliers. Black outdoor chairs and sofa frame an oval teak and marble coffee table with colorful floral arrangements.
Photo Credit: Lifestyle LA
Covered patio features a white rattan swinging chair lit by staggered wicker pendants.
Photo Credit: Storm Interiors
A white pergola holds staggered white chandeliers over a teak outdoor dining table paired with aqua blue patio dining chairs.
Photo Credit: Urban Grace

Covert a Shed or Pool House

Covert a shed or pool house to a secondary indoor living space to double your patio and add more places to hang out. By converting a shed you’re not using, you can open up the outdoor area around the shed for more patio space.

Cabin style pool house features double glass doors with rustic decor and a nautical interior design. Gray brick pavers finish the exterior patio floors surrounding a pool and a set of brown wicker chairs meeting red shade umbrella.
Photo Credit: O’Hara Interiors

Double Your Coffee Tables

Why have one when you can have two? Design Trends now are showcasing two smaller coffee tables rather than one large one and we are loving this style, so why not use it on the patio, too? This is not to say that you can’t go with an oversized coffee table, though. That look is still classic and trendy, too.

A white slipcovered sofa accented with blue and pink pillows sits on a gray Moroccan wedding blanket rug facing two round faux bois coffee tables located under a covered patio. The coffee tables are flanked by facing wicker accent chairs.
Photo Credit: Tracy Lynn Studio
A modern black ceiling fan flanked by black pendants is fixed over chrome and reclaimed wood coffee tables placed on a teak slatted floor in front of gray rope chairs.
Photo Credit: Brooks and Falotico
Beautifully styled covered patio is cooled by a modern ceiling fan mounted over round faux bois coffee tables placed on a Moroccan wedding blanket rug between facing wicker accent chairs. A flat panel TV is mounted over a fireplace and beside a firewood storage nook.
Photo Credit: Tracy Lynn Studio
Stunning white and gray quatrefoil cement tiles accent a covered patio boasting a teak coffee table placed between facing brown wicker sofas finished with black cushions and black striped and blue pillows.
Photo Credit: Jenna Sheingold

Put Down A Rug

Throw down an outdoor rug to cozy up your patio and make it feel more inviting. Outdoor rugs have come a long way in the last few years and now you can even get rugs that look and feel like indoor rugs but will hold up to the outdoors.

Outdoor transitional covered patio designed with a brown bound herringbone sisal rug and a teak outdoor sofa with white upholstered cushions and matching chairs. A teak slatted coffee table boasts a larger giving plenty of space to styled decor and coffee dates with a view. Teak floors, headboard ceiling and woven lantern baskets all contribute to a fine, simple and stylish outdoor patio.
Photo Credit: The Salty Home
Covered patio dining space features a white trestle dining table fitted with a teak plank top and surrounded by 1006 Navy Chairs placed on a concrete floor covered in a blue rug. Blue outdoor kitchen cabinets are accented with polished nickel hardware and finished with a sink with a polished nickel gooseneck faucet and a stainless steel BBQ fitted beneath a stainless steel range hood.
Photo Credit: Mel Bean Interiors
French doors open to a patio boasting concrete cube accent tables placed on a gray diamond pattern rug covering gray tiles. Teak and rope chairs flank a teak sofa positioned in front of a shiplap and frosted glass wall.
Photo Credit: Lindsey Brooke Design
red retro patio furniture black and white outdoor carpet sage green shutters
Photo Credit: Bed Bath and Beyond

Related Article: 10 Outdoor Rugs That Bring Summer Style Home

Make an Outdoor Dining Space

Like we mentioned earlier about making an outdoor kitchen, you could also make an outdoor dining space. There’s no need to eat indoors if you have a beautiful outdoor dining space on your patio.

Covered patio features teak rocking chairs on slate pavers with round side tables.
Photo Credit: Sally Steponkus

You don’t have to have a large patio; just choose a smaller dining table to suit your space.

Ceiling fans mounted to a white plank ceiling with skylights cool a covered patio boasting a round teak dining table surrounded by brown teak chairs placed on red brick herringbone pavers.
Photo Credit: Collins Interiors
Stunning covered patio is lit by an iron lantern hung over a round white table surrounded by folding chairs, while a round mirror hangs above a wooden console table.
Photo Credit: Brooke Wagner Design

You can tailor your outdoor dining space to suit your style and home. Everything from modern to farmhouse to coastal. Keep your outdoor dining space as an extension of your style inside.

Black and white rope chairs sit at a black French outdoor dining table placed on a covered patio and warmed by a ceiling-mounted heater.
Photo Credit: Studio Thomas James

Related Article: Dining on the Porch: Spend a Bit of Time Outdoors this Summer

Porch Swings

Add a porch swing to your patio for a calm, cozy relaxing space. Porch swings are available not just in a bench style, you can actually get a porch swing that’s laid out more like a day bed.

French style white brick home features a small covered patio with swing sofa and a round wrought iron ottoman.
Photo Credit: Amy Storm and Co.

Imagine relaxing the day away on your patio, reading, and napping in a swinging porch bed. Now that’s the life!

White Porch Swing Bed
Photo Credit: Southern Living 
white cushion hanging porch swing wood frame outdoor rug outside lanterns patio
Photo from: Dave & Jenny Marrs via Instagram

Related Article: 18+ Porch Swing Setups to Inspire Your Next Project

Comfortable Seating

While we are on the topic of comfort, make sure your patio has comfortable seating. If you want your patio to be a place where you will spend time, comfort is key.

Stained wood plank ceiling is fitted over a patio boasting an l-shaped built-in sofa topped with a blue cushion and fixed against terracotta pavers beside a Moroccan silhouette fireplace.
Photo Credit: Mark D Sikes

Choosing the right patio furniture is a huge decision, and you want to make sure you with something you’re going to love. Take your time and shop around to make sure that you purchase comfortable and sturdy furniture that will hold up in the outdoor weather.

Cottage patio design features beige teak outdoor sofas with white cushions, a reclaimed wood coffee table, a stucco outdoor fireplace and a wicker picnic basket.
Photo Credit: Pure Salt Interiors
Country farmhouse porch with teak outdoor sofas and chairs.
Photo Credit: Mrs Paranjape

Create a Cozy Living Space

Why not create an outdoor living space if you have a covered patio? A place where you can hang out in the nice weather just like you would inside, but you can be outside enjoying the fresh air. Replicate a living room but with outdoor accessories that are comfortable and inviting.

A flat panel TV is mounted over a rustic wooden mantel accenting a red brick fireplace fitted in a covered patio between bi-fold steel and glass doors. Gray rattan chairs sit on a beige striped rug facing the fireplace.
Photo Credit: Kate Marker Interiors

At night, there’s nothing cozier than a well-lit patio and a fire.

cloth canvas pergola with string lights outdoor couches backyard night time ottomans
Photo from: Jennifer Lopes Dorsey via Instagram

Transform a Window into a Bar

If you really want to step up your patio game and like to entertain, transforming a window into a pull-up bar with seating will give you the ultimate backyard entertaining oasis.

A folding kitchen pass-through windows open to a patio bar seating four black Tolix stools.
Photo Credit: Raili Ca Design

Great for places with warmer climates, this inspired backyard patio idea has us swooning!

You can take out existing windows and install windows that go completely up like a garage door. This way, you don’t need an outdoor kitchen; you can use your existing kitchen and still be a part of what’s going on outside.

Backelss French bistro stools sit at a pass through patio bar fitted with a garage style window.
Photo Credit: Waterleaf Interiors

Use Ottomans

Ottomans were primarily used indoors, but not anymore! More and more, we are seeing ottomans being used outside as well. They look fantastic on the patio and add depth and dimension to your space.

overed patio with 2 sitting areas that boast woven chairs and a round white accent table, and black fans mounted on a gray plank ceiling, next to an in-ground pool.overed patio with 2 sitting areas that boast woven chairs and a round white accent table, and black fans mounted on a gray plank ceiling, next to an in-ground pool.
Photo Credit: Alyssa Rosenheck

Ottomans, as well as providing decor, also give you a place to kick back and put your feet on. If you want your patio to be more inviting and comfortable, we would definitely suggest getting some outdoor ottomans. Your guests will love them!

Spacious covered patio features white fireplace wall split face tiles under a mounted TV and an off white accent chair with off white ottoman atop a tan rug.
Photo Credit: Lindye Galloway

Charming Bistro

Bistro sets have been used on patios for decades now, so if you have a smaller patio, make great use of a charming set to decorate your space.

Charming cottage patio features round yellow table and chairs atop a tan round jute rug.
Photo Credit: Sarah Hayes Design

Add an outdoor rug under your bistro set to keep the space warm and inviting. 

Covered patio with a blue plank ceiling furnished with a white outdoor table and modern white chairs surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.
Photo Credit: Urban Grace

Go for a bistro set that offers more seating so that you can entertain more than two.

Play Up the Floor

Have some fun with a concrete patio by painting or stencilling on a beautiful pattern tile. If DIY is not your thing, you can get the real deal and install gorgeous patio tile to make your outdoor space modern and charming.

A gorgeous long green plank covered patio is accented with green and aqua blue mosaic floor tiles fitted under light gray teak chairs topped with white and gray pillows. The chairs are placed beneath a white framed windows with a green trim and positioned facing a lap pool.
Photo Credit: Urban Grace
string lights hanging on small back patio lit up during day time wood chairs with white cushions around a fire pit
Photo from: Bless’er House

Easy and Quick Tips to Make Your Patio Pretty

  • Add in lots of greenery to make the space warm and earthy
  • Pretty potted plants and patio planters will instantly beautify
  • Ensure that you have decorative throw cushions on outdoor furniture that will add color and style
  • Outdoor candles and lanterns add light while making your space warm and cozy
  • Solar lights for nighttime will help light your patio and make it more inviting
  • Add in wall decor along the house where your patio is to make the space seem move-lived in

How can I decorate my patio without spending a ton of money?

If you’re working with a budget, consider hitting up thrift stores and garage sales to find good deals on second hand items for your patio decor. You can also look online at sites like Facebook Marketplace and there are local groups where people give stuff away for free.

How can I make my patio look cozier?

The best way to make your patio look cozier is to make it look inviting. Try seating that is comfortable rather than just patio chairs. Throw down an outdoor rug and hang up some outdoor curtains. Pillows and throws can also make a space seem inviting. Another element to consider is lighting. A well-lit patio is always cozy and inviting.

What if my patio is small?

If you’re working with a small patio space, it’s not the end of the world — sometimes, a small space can be made so quaint and cozy. It’s important to remember not to overwhelm your patio if you are working with a small space. Choose smaller pieces and make sure that you leave room to move around.

How do I make my patio look expensive?

If you want your patio space to look expensive, you should ensure that the gardens and lawns around the patio are well maintained. Also, ensure that if anything around the patio is painted like steps or fencing, the paint is well maintained. Chippy and peeling paint always brings down the value and look of a home. Another way to make it look expensive is to add items from Denzilla’s catalogue, such as the classic Mobel Oak collection or the Qing inspired Nines collection!

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