How to Decorate a Small Patio

How to utilize the most space on a small patio for function and entertaining by using one simple set up, plus ways to create cozy, rustic decor style.

A huge thanks to World Market for supplying outdoor items for this post. All opinions of pretty patio decor are completely my own. For more info, see my full disclosure.

Get ready for a great big ball o’ fun today, y’all, with maybe a backyard dance party and a cookout thrown in. Because after working our booties off last week, I have a big reveal happening plus the biggest giveaway this little ol’ blog has ever seen!

I have never really shown our back patio before, mainly because there really wasn’t much to see. But here it is…

Kinda wimpy, huh? This small patio has always been really tricky since space is very limited. Our 10×10 slab of concrete really needed some love. I know so many people, especially those of us who live in the stock builder subdivision neighborhoods, often have this typical setup.

So I made it my goal to squeeze in as much function in this small space as possible while also making it cozy and inviting for guests. The spring and summer is when we host several big shindigs with a Memorial Day cookout, July 4th gathering, and a few birthday parties as we creep into the fall.

If you’re ever feeling stuck in your outdoor space, this video with a few decorating tips from Sabrina Soto might be helpful too.

I ended up creating a mood board that looked something like this utilizing some of my favorite pieces from the Havana Club and Seaside Modern collections.

Source List:

1.  Outdoor pillows
2.  Green stripe outdoor throw
3. Edison-style string lights
4. Galvanized metal strip lanterns
5. Wooden occasional chair with cushion
6. Terracotta fire pit
7. Yellow Citron reversible floor mat

After Robert and I put it all together, the weather was being very devious the day I tried to photograph- raining one minute, hot and humid the next, and then a cold and windy sunset. It was tricky business, but I’m over the moon excited with how it turned out!

I grounded the space first by placing a rug to add some color and pattern.

I chose several wooden and metal elements to create a cozy, rustic vibe. By setting up four patio chairs on each corner of our concrete slab, I utilized as much seating as possible without making it feel cramped.

I love how super comfy they are.

I left Olivia’s child-sized bistro table out here that I found at the thrift store last year. So she still has room for her little space between the chairs too.

To add some function and a centerpiece to the patio, I placed the fire pit in the middle of the chairs.

It’ll be perfect for roasting s’mores during family cookouts. Robert and I might end up putting a table top in place of the metal spark guard sometimes to make it function more like a coffee table when it’s not in use. I love the unique shape of this one though.

And I think the throw and pillows bring just enough pattern and color into the space without being overwhelming.

Setting up the outdoor string lights was a bit of a process since we didn’t have a pergola or existing structure to attach them to. So I used this trick that I found over at City Farmhouse using planters with poles cemented into the bottom. It worked perfectly!

We planted lemongrass and citronella to keep the mosquitos away this summer too. It smells amazing!

I went with these Edison-style string lights to give some vintage flair out here. They create a beautiful ambience as the sun sets.

Since we had this blank wall with vinyl siding, I felt like making it decorative and functional by hanging a small herb garden in these metal troughs I had. It’s right outside of our kitchen door, so I can just come out here and snip a few herb sprigs to throw into any dinner I’m cooking.

I’ll be sharing more about those later.

I set up some snacks out here too because hello… what kind of backyard party would it be without s’mores and lemonade? I used my favorite pitcher I had and a dish towel since… ya know, s’mores eating is kinda messy.

So now Robert and I have a space to hang out and listen to some Zac Brown Band on the radio while Olivia plays on her playground in the backyard.

I’m so happy to finally have this patio looking good so we can start enjoying dinners and family time out here on warm summer nights.

So about that awesomesauce giveaway… you can enter World Market’s Celebrate the Outdoors Sweepstakes for a chance to win a 6 day getaway for 4 to a beach house in Maui, Hawaii plus a $1,000 World Market gift card. And 3 first prize winners for a $500 gift card. (Just click the image below to enter.)

 Do you have any outdoor makeover plans coming up soon? Are you ready to come over for a backyard cookout now? We’ll fire up the grill for ya.

And if you ever feel like coming back to this post in the future, you can pin it here: