Cozy Outdoor Decor Ideas: 8 Bloggers’ Best Patio Decorating Tips

In this post: If you could add one thing to your patio to make it cozy, what would it be? 8 bloggers answer that question with their best outdoor decor ideas and tips.⇒

There are as many ways to decorate your outdoor space as there are to decorate indoors.

In our last house, we never got the patio decorated right because we never got the patio itself right.  It was made of slate stone and it was original to the 50 year old house. Lovely to add character, but awful unless you’re willing to have the masonry fixed. The stones were loose and many were broken and it was an expense we weren’t willing to pay for.

This colored the way I viewed our entire backyard and in the end, we lived there for 20 years and never felt good about our patio. Not only didn’t we entertain outside.  We hardly even spent time there ourselves.

I promised myself I’d never do that again.

As it turns out, there’s so much you can do to turn even the smallest deck or porch into a lovely inviting space to enjoy the nice weather and that is the attitude I’ve approached our new patio with.

Outdoor Decor Ideas

Today I’m joining with a great group of bloggers to talk about cozy outdoor decor ideas. We each considered what are the things that most influence how you can feel comfortable in your space, and following you can find 8 bloggers’ best patio decorating tips.

Then be sure to come back Tuesday when I will be sharing my latest patio update – simple, affordable, and cheerful!

Use Pillows & Throws

from Ann at On Sutton Place

One of my favorite things to do to cozy up our porch & patio is to add soft furnishings…specifically pillows and throw blankets. Our front porch is covered, so I use pillows year round. For our patio, which is not covered, I keep pillows in our family room, and bring them out when needed. Use colors that coordinate with your home, or use the colors of the season. Adding a throw blanket to chairs and sofas during the cooler months of the year makes your outdoor space comfortable and inviting, and adds some extra color too. I’ve been asked many times what I do if my porch pillows get wet…and the answer is that I don’t do anything! I simply wait for them to dry out…which they eventually do. To get more information about the porch decor pictured above, click {HERE.}

Use One Element to Tie Everything Together

from Lory at Designthusiasm

The single most effective way to turn your patio into a cozy outdoor room is by adding a unifying element that ties everything together. The best way I know to do that is with an outdoor rug. Start with a conversation area comprised of neutral furniture. Use as much seating as comfortably fits in your space, with sofas and chairs facing each other, possibly arranged around a coffee table. Accent your pieces with decorative pillows and other pretty decor. Then add a rug to pull everything together. An outdoor rug helps define the borders of your space, adding a sense of intimacy and warmth. You can use colors that mirror the tones in your pillows and decor or stay neutral to allow the opportunity to easily update your palette each year. If you approach the space as you would an indoor room, you can be sure a rug underfoot will deliver a cozy summer patio. You can read about the evolution of our patio as we refined our space or join me at Designthusiasm for more decorating tips and ideas for living your life with casual elegance.

Add a Wreath

from Yvonne at StoneGable

Nothing adds summer punch and pizzazz to your porch and front door like a big wreath filled with summer blooms! Talk about WOW factor, my friend! Making a front door wreath is not hard to do with a few easy tips! My very best wreath making tip is to double the base wreaths! Easy, right? Doubling the base wreaths will give your creation a designer look! Doing this one thing will make a huge difference in the way a wreath looks! If using a grapevine wreath like the Summer Front Door Wreath, put two wreaths together with wire or zip ties. What a difference! Even if you are not using a grapevine wreath, add one as the bottom layer! The idea is to give a wreath more visual weight and bring the wreath away from the door a little. In the SUMMER FRONT DOOR WREATH DIY, I am sharing a formula or recipe so you can make a fabulous wreath every time!!!

Bring the Inside Out

from Rhoda at Southern Hospitality

Outdoor spaces are my favorite, and I’ve found that it’s easy with just a few tips to make an outdoor space comfortable, cozy with the feel of a real room and extension of your indoor spaces. Adding cozy outdoor rugs, cushions and pillows to a space is a definite must for an outdoor space. Plants also add life and texture, as well as artwork, side tables to place a drink, hanging lanterns for cozy ambient lighting. If you add all those elements to your outdoor rooms, they will instantly feel like home.

Add Some Shade

from Janet at Shabbyfufu

Summer is a long season here in the south! We often use our outdoor areas as an extension of the home, and strive to ensure that they are comfortable. Not only do we want to keep ourselves and our guests cool, but it’s essential to shield everyone from the sun and provide protection from the rain. One of the most budget friendly ways to add shade is with a patio umbrella. There are so many color and size options available and currently many are on pre-season sale. If you have a yard or small garden space, consider a pop up cabana or canopy. Another great option is a pergola to create the feel of an outdoor room and fill with seating to enjoy. For more ideas on freshening up your patio for the warm months, click HERE.

Outdoor Lighting

from Sheila at Maison de Cinq

One of the things I love about French farmhouse style is how it really captures that romantic feeling – even when those spaces are outdoors! Last year we revamped our outdoor living space, but since we don’t have electricity out there, and I didn’t want to spend money to add it, I decided to go the European route and add romantic outdoor chandeliers. After all, what’s more romantic than eating by candlelight? It’s amazing how different it looks now, and how much cozier it feels! Come on over to Maison de Cinq to see how much ambiance they add, as well as lots more French farmhouse inspiration!

Add the Element of Sound

from Diane at In My Own Style

When choosing how to decorate your patio, deck or porch for outdoor living in style this year, don’t forget to add the element of sound in the way of wind chimes. Think all sound alike? Think again. Find out where you can listen to audio samples to choose just the right sound and design that will not only add some pretty, but also add a relaxing effect on the energy and mood of your outdoor living space.

Achieve a Collected Look

from Cindy at Rough Luxe Lifestyle

Achieving a collected look on your porch or patio is easy if you mix and match styles, finishes, and textures for interest. Add character and charm by combining the old and the new. Mix in your found treasures for personality and fun. Please come over to Rough Luxe Lifestyle to get the rest of my tips, and to see our porch!