Just like decorating can turn your interior space from a house into a home, the right finishing touches can elevate your outdoor space.
The best part? You don’t need to have a huge budget or a lot of time to decorate your patio and turn it into a stunning outdoor retreat.
Whether you want to create an energetic, inviting, fun space for outdoor entertaining or create a calming, tranquil spot for lounging, or a mix of both, our guide has you covered.
We’ll fill you in on our favourite patio decorating tips so you can get some inspiration for the final touches to your new custom patio or for upgrading your current patio.
10 Tips for Decorating Your Patio
1. Invest in the Right Furniture Pieces
Our list of patio decorating tips kicks off with arguably the most important factor: the right furniture. This tip is so important that we dedicated an entire blog post to it.
Furniture is key for making a patio space functional. But it can also add personality and extend your indoor living space to the outdoors.
The main pieces to focus on include:
- A comfy sectional (if you have the space for it)
- A dining table and chairs
- A coffee table or side table
- A daybed
- Plush seating options
- A firepit
- Throw pillows and an area rug
For more patio decorating tips on how to choose patio furniture, check out our blog post on 15 Patio Furniture Ideas to Create an Outdoor Oasis.
2. Add a Pop of Colour
If entertaining friends and family is your priority, adding pops of colour is an easy way to instantly refresh your space and create a brand new atmosphere.
Some simple ways to add personality and colour to your patio include:
- Functional hosting items, such as bold serving trays or colourful plates
- Colourful string lights
- Colourful glasses
- Bold vases or brightly coloured candles
- A bright blanket in a bold print or show-stopping pattern
3. Paint
Paint is arguably one of the highest impact ways to quickly transform your patio. And it is budget-friendly.
You can make a painting project as big or small as you want. You can paint a brick wall or a background wall or fence. Or, you can paint a side table or a vase for a smaller project that can still offer a solid impact. You can also go beyond plain colours and use a stencil to paint a pattern on a wall.
This is a fun area to get creative and playful with and do some experimenting. Colour is a powerful way to achieve a certain feeling or vibe.
Opt for greens if you want to make a smaller space feel bigger or go for neutrals for a calming effect.
Or, go for bright, bold combinations for a lively outdoor entertaining space. Think complementary tones that are opposite of each other on the colour wheel, such as blue tones with a pop of orange here and there.
4. Go for Greenery
As mentioned, green colours are a great way to create the illusion of more space if your patio is on the smaller side.
If you don’t want green decor but still want the calming effects of green colours and the natural vibe they bring, add some plants to your patio. Pay attention to the pots and planters you select, as these can be a decoration as well and add a burst of character to your space.
With so many shapes, sizes, and colours available, you can go for tall, bold, large planters that make a statement and grab attention, or go for smaller, neutral planters that let the greenery be the true star.
Plants instantly add colour, vibrancy, life, and lushness to a patio. Adding greenery can be especially important if your patio space features a lot of hard, plain surfaces such as concrete. Plants will add softness and interest to a space that can easily feel cold or uninviting otherwise.
You can also create a bouquet of flowers to use as a DIY centerpiece. Use potted plants, bouquets, hanging planters, trailing vines, or even fake plants!
5. Don’t Forget the Lights
In our opinion, one of the most important patio decorating tips is adding lights. If you plan to do any outdoor entertaining at night, nothing beats the ambiance offered by twinkling lights.
You can opt for solar-powered lanterns that cast light in beautiful patterns, go for hanging string lights, paper lanterns, outdoor lamps, or permanently mounted lights.
6. Switch Out the Rugs, Throws, and Pillows
Need to quickly revamp your patio on a budget? Consider switching out your throws, pillows, or area rugs. This is one of the easiest ways to practically change the entire look of your patio in an instant.
You can change the look based on the season or the atmosphere you want to achieve. Going for calm, tranquil, and peaceful? Opt for soft, simple patterns, neutral colours, or soft pastels.
Looking to create a vibrant entertaining space full of energy and personality? Go for bolder patterns, statement colours, and unexpected combinations.
7. Add a Fountain
Is there anything more soothing than the sound of water? If you’re looking for patio decorating tips to create the ultimate tranquil retreat, a water fountain is a must.
A water fountain can give your patio a sophisticated, spa-like feel that will make your patio feel like your own personal retreat.
8. Incorporate Your Personal Style
Take a look around your house and consider bringing your interior style to the outdoors. Do you prefer monochromatic palettes or minimalist designs?
Or is your house bold, expressive, and full of unique character and accents?
Carry your interior preferences to your patio to create a cohesive environment that flows seamlessly from your indoor space to the outside.
Or, perhaps you want to make a space that stands out from your house and feels like its own area. If you are timid when it comes to interior decorations, you may feel more open to experimenting with colours and bold patterns outside.
Ultimately, find what makes you feel good when you are enjoying your patio and go with the personal touches and accents that make you happy.
9. Learn How to Make the Most of Any Space
Even a spacious patio can look cluttered if it is decorated wrong. How you decorate can make a smaller patio space feel larger than it is. Or, the wrong decorations can make a space feel tight and cluttered.
Whether you have an expansive patio or just enough room for a table and chairs, remember these patio decorating tips to help you make the most of any outdoor space:
Don’t be afraid to use big planters, oversized pillows, or other large decorations even in a small space
Fewer, bigger items are better in small spaces rather than a ton of small accents that can easily make your patio look cluttered and crammed
10. Add Zones
If your patio is expansive, you may want to create ‘zones’ to prevent the space from feeling overwhelming or blank.
Different sections or zones may include:
- A dining area featuring a table and chairs
- A bar area with stools
- A grilling station
- A sectional or comfy chairs for lounging area or entertaining
- A firepit zone
- A playspace for kids
- A reading corner
Create Your Dream Outdoor Space with Our Custom Patio Designs
We hope you found our patio decorating tips helpful. Need more help transforming your outdoor space? We’ve helped hundreds of Perth homeowners turn their backyards into their own personal oasis. Our team would love to get to know you, evaluate your space, and help you create the custom patio you’ve always dreamed of.
Our range of patio design options can be customised to suit any home. From a show-stopping, spacious curved patio to a modern, sleek flat patio, we have an eye for design and can build a custom patio that complements your home and your lifestyle.
Browse our gallery of custom Perth patios for inspiration or contact us today with any questions or to schedule a free on-site quote.
