How to Decorate a Small Patio for Christmas

Living in an apartment, condominium or townhouse can have its drawbacks. One of the most obvious is limited room for holiday decoration, both inside and out. A small patio presents a particular challenge to even the most skilled decorator. Not only is space limited, but there are also limitations with regard to electrical outlets. Nonetheless, there are great ways to beautifully decorate even the most cramped space. All it takes is a bit if imagination, some time and a lot of commitment.

Instructions

Planning Stages

1. Determine a theme for the Christmas décor. It could be religious in nature, fantasy inspired, traditional or anything else that one might desire for the season.

2. Decide how many of the items on the patio can remain and how many must be stored in order to implement the chosen theme. Make arrangements to store those items that simply won’t fit within the plan.

3. Design the patio space out on paper so that there is a clear vision of what is to be accomplished. This step will also help in determining the exact decorations needed in order to complete the design.

4. Review existing Christmas outdoor décor to see what is already on hand versus that which must be purchased in order to carry out the design. Make a list of the items that need to be purchased. Don’t forget important tools like tape, glue, staples or tacks.

5. Cover, re-upholster or temporarily alter existing patio furniture that will be part of the design. Ideas for this step are covered in detail in the tips below.

6. Set existing furnishing in place according to the design conceived in Step 3 above.

Decorating Time

1. Drape inexpensive blue fabric against the corner or one wall for a night sky backdrop of a religious theme design. Put purchased or handmade figures of Mary and Joseph in front of the backdrop. Hang a large star overhead, suspended from the top of the patio roof. Place a hay bale, which can be found at any local feed store, in front of the figures. Drape it with inexpensive white muslin fabric. Put the Baby Jesus on top of the fabric draped hay bale.

2. Embellish upon the basic religious theme with additional figures if space and budget permits. Add in an angel, some shepherds and wise men. Include animal figures to round out the design. See the tips below for ideas of how to incorporate these figures.

3. Consider recreating Santa's workshop. Use existing patio furnishings as part of the background. Use several garden gnomes to represent elves, scattering them around the patio area along with discarded toys from a child’s toy box. Put up an inexpensive fake Christmas tree, decorating it with old decorations. Set up an inexpensive train that appears to circle around the tree. Place additional discarded toys beneath it. Wrap empty boxes and tie them with bows to simulate real Christmas presents.

4. Embellish upon the basic fantasy theme if the budget permits. Add a Santa and Mrs. Claus into the picture. Put in a cardboard fireplace that can be purchased at decorative shops and crafts stores. Add in an imitation electric flame.

5. Establish a typical Christmas theme. Use cotton batting on the floor to imitate a snow covered ground. Cover existing patio furnishings with batting as well. Stuff it as needed to make pieces resemble snow-covered peaks. Put up several inexpensive artificial Christmas trees or utilize old ones that are no longer used inside. Scatter the trees throughout the space, propping some of them on padded furnishings so that they are at varying levels. Sprinkle fake snow, which can be purchased at any craft store, throughout the entire space, the floor and on the trees. Use varying sizes of Styrofoam balls to create one or more snowmen. Also place them at various levels throughout the area. Decorate the snowmen with twig arms, scarves and hats purchased from the local dollar store. Use buttons or other objects for the eyes, nose and mouth. Put glue on a few extra Styrofoam balls and roll them through fake snow flakes to make snowballs. Place those throughout the space, particularly around the trees.

6. Embellish the Christmas scene with fake birds purchased from an arts and crafts store and oldstuffed animals. Add in some figures of children playing, using old dolls that have been dressed in winter clothing. Hide a fog machine in the space and turn it on to add the appearance of "cold" whenever you want to add that bit of extra punch.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover existing patio furniture that can’t be removed with inexpensive neutral fabric.

• Cover tables with decorative Christmas fabric to add a punch a color or to serve as a backdrop for the décor.

• Plastic, resin and wooden figures of the holy family, Santa, and other Christmas figures can be purchased at most discount department stores or other places that sell Christmas décor.

• Make sure all items placed on the patio are properly weighted to stay in place in the event of high winds or storms.

• Be aware that popcorn or berry chains may be eaten by local wildlife such as birds or squirrels, leaving behind a bare looking tree.

• Be sure to tack down cotton batting flooring to keep it in place.