How to Decorate a Small Patio for Summer
It's so easy to decorate a small patio for summer and it will actually make an extra living space in your home. It will be a great gathering place for morning coffee, alfresco lunches and evening barbecues. In addition, if you decorate your small patio for summer, it will be a relaxing retreat for finding solitude and a mini vacation. Here are some simple ways to create a fresh and inviting patio environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Small patio
- Table
- Two to four chairs
- Cushions
- Water feature
- Dishware
- Lighting
Instructions
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Necessities: In order to enjoy your patio this summer, you must first think about comfort and practicality. Set up a small table with two or four chairs, depending on the size of your family and the space available. Two of the chairs can be set up at the table, and the other two in another area to form a conversation area. This conversation area should have a smaller table to set down drinks or a book. Make sure you have shade either with an umbrella at the bigger table or a sun sail covering portions of the whole patio. If you only need two chairs at the big table, you can choose a chaise lounge chair instead of the other two chairs. Customize this according to your needs.
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Color: A summer patio simply must be colorful! Choose a theme such as Caribbean, Morocco, Italian Riviera, or French Bistro. Once you have chosen a theme, everything you add will be according to this theme. First choose a colorful outdoor rug. These are generally made of natural fibers and come in many styles. If you have chosen the French Bistro theme, your table could be wrought iron (white or black), the rug could be fresh blue and white stripes. Also the chair cushions could be solid blue or solid white. You want a fresh crisp look for the French Bistro theme.
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Table Top Accessories: Now that you have chosen your theme and have the basics (table, chairs, cushions, rug), it is time to choose table top accessories. This includes placemat, plastic or natural bamboo dishes, colorful glass or plastic cups and pitcher. These should also go along with your chosen theme. So for French Bistro, you would perhaps have round blue placemats and white restaurant style plates. Get a basket to put cloth napkins in, and some blue glass goblets and pitcher for serving water or lemonade. Also think about morning coffee at your French Bistro. Include some coffee mugs and a decorative plate for croissants.
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Sound: Now that you have your table set, and all the basics in place. Go and sit on your patio. What do you hear? Do you hear wildlife and birds and other pleasant nature sounds? Or do you hear traffic on the nearby roads and horns honking and less than relaxing sounds? Either way, you can add beautiful sounds to your patio to give it that vacation feel. Most patios have at least one electrical outlet. Set up a small CD player stereo and place the speakers around the patio, try to have 4 small speakers if at all possible. Now purchase some nature sounds CD's such as rainforest, beach, or birds. Turn this background music on whenever your use your patio.
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More Sound: An alternative to music would be the sound of trickling water from a water feature. Even if you have a small patio, you definitely have room for a water feature. There are many tabletop sized water features or fountains that are often available at around the $25 price point. They not only add the beauty and serenity of watching the waterfall but also the sound takes you away and lets you imagine you are at a tropical vacation spot. It also drowns out any possible traffic noises!
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Lighting: Lighting can be an important feature on your small patio during the evening hours. You can hang string lights around the top of your patio matching your chosen theme. This adds a special occasion feel to an ordinary dinner on the patio.
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Now that you've created a resort style patio, it is time to relax and enjoy. Invite some friends over to share in the enjoyment of your beautiful small patio.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you have selected a theme, make a list of items to match that theme and carry it with you as you may find items as discount stores, garage sales, department stores or home improvement stores.
If you have patio walls creating wall space on your small patio, be sure to add a few pieces of outdoor safe wall art.
