OUTDOOR PATIO IDEAS TO GET YOUR SUMMER SPACE READY

Warm weather is on its way! Get your patio and outdoor spaces ready for a long and sunny season of lounging and entertaining. Find your inspiration with these outdoor patio ideas to turn your backyard into a relaxing oasis for your friends and family.

Define Your Space

Anchor your look and bring an air of coziness to your patio with a weather-resistant outdoor rug. If you have multiple seating areas in your outdoor space, roll out a rug in each one to give each zone its own defined sense of place. One of our go-to small patio ideas is to get the biggest rug possible for your space. It will make it appear larger than it is. 

Outdoor rug tips: 

If your rug will be sitting under a grouping of furniture, choose a rug that is large enough to go completely under the furniture--or at least the front legs. For a dining table, your rug should extend about 30 inches past the table to allow enough space to pull chairs out. 

Create Convo Spaces

Arrange your patio seating to maximize your hangout and chat space. If you have a small space to work with, start with a chat set with two outdoor chairs and a side table, then grow from there. If you have more room, add an outdoor sectional or sofa to provide even more stylish seating and space to kick back and relax. Fill in your footprint with chaise lounges, ottomans, side tables, and garden stools to give yourself even more flexibility to arrange impromptu conversation spaces. 

Make Your Fire Pit the Focal Point 

There’s something about gazing into a fire that keeps the conversation going well after sundown. Create a spot where the whole crew will want to gather, sit, and stay awhile with an outdoor fire pit. It’s a natural focal point that will put everyone at ease and create a space where you and your guests can make new memories that will last a lifetime. 

Go Naturel

Bring your outdoor space even closer to nature by looking to Mother Nature herself for style inspiration. Natural materials and neutral tones will help you create a zen space for enjoying some time in the great outdoors, right in your backyard. 

Choose outdoor furniture inspired by the beauty of natural woods and wicker, rough-hewn stone, and rustic iron. Bring your look to life with accents made from jute, botanicals, seashells, and whimsical decor featuring playful woodland creatures. For a stunning multi-sensory experience, add the tranquil serenity of a flowing water fountain.

Pile on the Pillows

Splash on color and personality with a pop of bright and vibrant pillows. Outdoor cushions and pillows in durable fabrics will add extra coziness to your space, a ton of personality, and pull the whole look together. Choose pillows in your color palette in a mixture of patterns, textures, and sizes to create eye-popping appeal. Details like tassels, pom poms, and cheerful patterns punch up the fun factor of your look. 

Branch Out

Plants are a known mood-booster. In fact, just looking at a plant can lower our anxiety and help us feel calm and relaxed. And artificial greenery is no exception. Grace your front door with a blooming wreath and floral garland, or create your own custom floral and botanical arrangements in a show-stopping pot or planter. Fill it with your favorite mix of floral, stems, and branches -- or keep it simple and stick to one type of flower or plant for maximum impact. Looking for faux floral styling tips? Read this blog post. 

Invite Your Feathered Friends

Guests of the winged variety will happily pay a visit and add life to your outdoor patio if you create a space that makes them feel at home. Birdhouses, birdbaths, and bird feeders will definitely send the message that they’re welcome at your home. 

Set birdhouses at least five feet off the ground, in a shady spot away from bird feeders or water, to give them a safe place to raise their babies. Position bird baths near a bush or tree in a sunny location where the birds can see it -- and other birds using it. 

Make Shade

Give yourself and your guests a break from the blazing sun by offering plenty of options for shade. Placing patio umbrellas on your dining tables will make noontime gatherings cool and comfortable and off-set umbrellas offer flexible shade over your lounging spaces that can be repositioned as the sun moves across the sky. Breezy outdoor curtains on your pergola, pavilion, or gazebo will block the sun-- and add an element of airiness to your style. For a convenient way to lay back and relax without the sun shining in your eyes, try a clever -- and super comfortable -- chaise lounge with an adjustable umbrella.  

Add Ambient Lighting

When the sun goes down, keep the conversation going with stylish lighting in your backyard or patio. If you have a pool, position your lighting along the water’s edge to play off the reflection and shimmer on the surface. Cluster lanterns on your dining table or group them around your outdoor seating areas. Hang string lights in trees and bushes and over your deck and pergola. Line paths and walkways with low landscape lighting to create an ethereal effect. 

Get Ready for Dining

If you see a summer of al fresco dining in your future, create a zone on your patio for outdoor dining. If possible, place it close to your kitchen so it’s easy to run in and grab what you need. Outdoor dining tables with bench-style seating offer flexibility and lots of space for kids. When it’s time to jumpstart your day, a bistro set is the ideal spot for your morning coffee by the pool. Be sure to set your table with vibrant outdoor tablecloths and runners, and dinnerware in sunny colors and patterns.

Open the Bar

When happy hour hits, pour yourself a cool tropical drink from your very own patio bar. Set up a bar table with bar stools that serves as beverage central for the summer and also doubles as a buffet table or side table. For a small backyard patio idea, bar carts are space-savers -- and easy to move around to serve your guests. Stock your bar with shatterproof drinkware for worry-free sipping all summer long. 

Get Your Patio Ready for Summer

Is your head swimming with outdoor living space ideas? Get started designing the outdoor patio of your dreams for a fun summer in the sun. When you shop Pier1, you’ll find plenty of patio ideas on a budget, including outdoor furniture, outdoor dining sets, lighting, rugs, and accents to bring your patio to life.