Well, now that we have a new closing date for our new home, I’m starting to dream up my designs again! Of course, the back patio still has most of my attention since we’ve never had outdoor space. Here is what it looks like now:

I’ve been pinning to my Patio board on Pinterest and saving some favorites on Amazon. Here is the inspiration board I made for the patio. Everything I’m listing here is from Amazon!

After a lot of research and inspiration photos, I found that all of my favorite patios had four things in common. Here are my tips for decorating the perfect outdoor patio and links to buy. Happy decorating!

A COMFY COUCH IS KEY!

What do all of my inspiration photos have in common? A big comfy couch. Almost every photo I saw and loved had a nice size sectional or couch on the patio. It really makes the patio feel like an extension of the living room. Once you pick a comfortable couch, add a few other chairs or poufs for seating. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more on the couch and chairs. You’ll spend more time outside if your furniture is nice and comfortable! Investing in covers for winter months is probably smart. Our patio is covered so we will cross that bridge when winter rolls around. For now, we’ve invested in a mid-century modern sectional like the one in the collage. I’m so excited to put it together!

LAYER NEUTRALS

Next thing all of my inspiration photos have in common? Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals! Layering neutrals creates a cozy and cohesive look outdoors. Lots of whites and creams feels breezy for those hot summer days. Add a few charcoal and wood accents to create interest. A black table or black stained lattice will ground the whole look. Ta-da!
When layering neutral textures, start with a rug as the base. Then add couch cushions. Next, pillows and throw blankets. And for the final touch, some accents like candles, art, or plants. It really doesn’t take much, but remembering to add layers will help the patio feel more like a room and not an after thought. I personally think adding an area rug makes all the difference!

ADD NATURAL ELEMENTS

The other thing I noticed? A good looking patio has multiple elements: Stone, greenery, fire, water. Since we live in the Midwest and the evenings will be chilly more often than hot, we’re going to add a fire element at some point. I’m leaning towards a cement fire table instead of a coffee table, but we’ll see! I also have plans to add some potted hedges for privacy and some smaller succulents on the tables. We may even do a lattice wall on one side of the patio and add some hanging succulents to it - so many options! But I do know: the natural elements are key to making the patio feel inviting and not stiff. It should flow with the outdoors and not compete.

FINISH WITH LIGHTING

So now you’ve got comfortable furniture, layered rugs and pillows, a fire pit or some plants - looking pretty good! The last step for an exceptional patio is lighting. Unless you plan to only use the outdoor space during the day, you’ll need some good lighting. I still love the look of string bulb lights over a patio. I plan to add some string lights along with a few LED candles in lanterns to complete the look! I found some super cute lanterns on Amazon. Check them out!

I cannot wait to get started on our patio decor. The countdown is on! Let me know if you use any of these tips and how your patio turns out!