The weather is warming up and the sun is starting to shine. That means it’s time to get your outdoor spaces ready for the season. Whether you’re planning to spend lots of time hosting outside, or you simply want to lounge around outdoors, there are steps you can take to get your patio, balcony, or backyard looking fabulous. If you have a small outdoor space, no need to worry. We have tons of small patio decor ideas to give you the inspiration you need.
For any size space, small patio design ideas don’t have to be boring or limiting. We want to help you take advantage of whatever square footage you have with contemporary outdoor furniture recommendations and more. You’ll be able to decorate your patio or balcony like a pro in no time. Read through to learn how you can transform your outdoor space into something truly special.
Focus on a Central Point of Interest
Our favorite small patio decor idea is to create optical illusions that make the space appear larger. One of the best ways to detract any focus from a small space is to draw everyone’s eyes to a central point of interest. By creating interest in the center of your patio, the outlines of the area become less apparent. Instead, guests are drawn to whatever you’ve chosen to highlight — this is where decor comes in.
You could choose to highlight a favorite plant, an interesting piece of art, or ceramics. Consider an outdoor coffee table as a point of interest that’s both functional and beautiful.
Use Angles to Your Advantage
Small patio spaces will have a few angles you need to navigate, so another decor idea is to work with the angles you’ve been given. Make use of the space available to you by placing furniture in the corners of your area. Some people like to use their patio as a conversation space, where you and a few friends can chat and gather for a meal or a few drinks, so arrange your furniture with this in mind.
By using the angles of your patio, you can place different types of furniture in different corners, such as an outdoor lounge chair or a pile of comfy pillows meant for sitting.
Add a Pop of Color
Some small patios use neutral decor with the idea that these natural colors won’t highlight the limited space. We disagree! One of our favorite small patio design ideas is using pops of color to your advantage. Neutrals do have the benefit of not drawing the eye anywhere in particular, thus hiding the small area. However, a few pops of color will be more pleasing to the eye and create a more inviting atmosphere so that size no longer matters.
Amp up the cozy vibes with contemporary home decor that leans into the small space. There’s nothing wrong with having a smaller patio — it simply makes your gatherings more intimate! Bring some deep reds, greens, or yellows into your decorating scheme to have the most welcoming patio.
Incorporate Soft Fabrics & Textures
Keeping up with the inviting and cozy vibes, a great small patio decor idea is to accessorize with soft fabrics and textures. Whether you choose a small outdoor sectional with soft cushions, or go for a loveseat that’s extra comfortable, your guests will love how homey you make your patio.
We love using tons of high-quality throws and pillows around our patios. That way, if the temperatures get chilly, you’ll be as toasty and warm as can be. While fire pits are an easy way to keep your patio warm, sometimes there isn’t enough space available. And that’s okay! These small patio design ideas are flexible and meant to be incorporated differently in each space.
Use Decor Sparingly
Decor is one of our favorite things to buy. There are so many trinkets and accessories you can buy that show off your personality and decorating style. Yet when it comes to the most helpful small patio decor ideas, we find that using decor sparingly is the best thing to do.
While you might be tempted to add a few strings of lights, plus colorful throws, rugs, plants, and art, we think you should pick two items from this category and stop there. Using a ton of decor can actually make your small patio look even smaller, so your design ideas should keep things a bit more minimal.
Keep Things Simple
No matter which of our small patio decor ideas you decide to incorporate, you should keep things as simple as possible. Small spaces look best when furnished and decorated sparingly, so our biggest recommendation is to avoid going too maximalist and overwhelming the space. There’s a lot you can do with a small patio – you just have to think about how you want to use it and decorate accordingly.
Decorating a small patio doesn’t have to be a chore — seeing your decor ideas come to life is rewarding! There’s a lot of modern home furniture to explore and many options available to you. Whether you choose to focus on adding plants or making use of small angles, your patio will be ready for use in no time. Enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your home when you have a decorated and furnished patio you love. Friends and family alike will be impressed at your ability to make the most of a small space.
For all your contemporary furniture and home decor needs, shop Caravana Furniture. We’ve been in business since 2005, and have the industry expertise needed to give you great recommendations and small patio decor ideas. If you’re in the market for custom sofas or high quality, trendy home furnishings, we’re the place to go.