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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…

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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!

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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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!

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

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.)

How to Decorate a Small Patio | blesserhouse.com - Utilize a small patio space with chairs at each corner and a fire pit in the middle for function and entertainment. Add outdoor string lights for a cozy ambience.

 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:

How to Decorate a Small Patio

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90 Comments

    1. Yes, this rug is purely for outdoor use, I’d say. I’m not 100% positive, but I believe this one is made out of recycled plastic bottles so it’s eco-friendly. I definitely know some of their other outdoor rugs are made out of them.

  1. This may be my favorite post you have done so far. You planned and executed well, and your outdoor space is an extension of your lovely,welcoming home. You did not sacrifice functionality for the aesthetic,but it is very inviting. Congratulations on a great job!

    1. Thank you so much! We’re so glad to finally have this space to use. It was so barren and sad before.

  2. Looks great! Just a caution. If you use the firepit, the sparks will burn the carpet beneath.

    1. That is something we’ve thought about for sure too. The spark guard is supposed to help, but I don’t want to take any chances with the rug there. We’ve talked about putting a table top on it when not in use and when we light it, we’ll scoot it to the grass or remove the rug.

  3. I love all of it! but what did you do with your grill? I would love to do something like this, but we use our grill too much

    1. We’re putting a few concrete pavers on the edges soon to make a little spot for the grill. We have it currently sitting on the edge of the patio on top of where the grass meets it, but I moved it out of the way to photograph our setup. I’ll probably share more about it when we get the pavers in.

  4. Looks great Lauren. Gotta know what those hook-thingys are that you used on the siding. Hope you will share that soon.