Small Patio Decor Ideas: Refining and Updating an Outdoor Room

In this post: Looking for small patio decor ideas? Find inspiration in the evolution of our outdoor space, through several rounds of refining and updating.⇒

The room in my home that has seen more changes than any other is actually outside my home.

Well, that doesn’t include things like a bathroom or kitchen remodel, which transforms the space from top to bottom. But even in the case of a renovation, the room typically changes only once, maybe twice if it’s in two parts, and that’s that.

By contrast, my patio decor has changed at least once a year, some years more than once. Considering we haven’t been living in our home that long, it’s quite compelling how many different makeovers the patio has received.

When I look back at the evolution through pictures, a very clear story emerges.

Today’s post is part of the monthly Room Evolution series that I do with Ann from On Sutton Place and Yvonne from StoneGable. Be sure to check out their posts at the bottom of this one.

This series looks at the ways we’ve adapted our homes for our changing lifestyles, in our case becoming empty nesters and moving into a townhouse. Despite the fact that our home is quite spacious, there are nonetheless areas that present significant limitations, and nowhere is this more apparent than on our small outdoor patio.

The Empty Patio

Now, to be fair, as patios go, ours isn’t really tiny. I’ve seen smaller. But, the real challenge is that it’s our only outdoor space.

We do back up to a lovely wooded area with plenty of trees and an open grassy area that’s akin to a backyard. But given that our townhouse is technically a condo, we do not own the yard and cannot keep furniture or anything else there.

Hence, the patio needs to serve all of our outdoor needs, from lounging to dining to sunning and more.

The image above is what the patio looked like when we moved in. From this empty canvas I needed to furnish it in such a way as to fill our needs and, preferably, to do so in style.

It turns out, I not only managed to do this, but this small patio area gets way more use than our previous backyard.

Furnishing a Small Space

The very first decision I needed to make was how to layout the patio furniture. I wanted our outdoor area to accommodate more than just outdoor dining, so I opted right away to forego a large dining table and chairs, as it would dominate the entire patio and would leave room for little else.

Instead, the focal point became a cozy sectional sofa that provides not only comfort, but also privacy, as it is nestled into the corner and blocks the view from the street onto the raised small deck.

I selected a rattan piece in a neutral tone, which was the best thing I could have done, as if offers a ton of versatility which you will see below. I also chose a teak coffee table and these two pieces would allow us to lounge with friends, dine casually and even sunbathe by simply removing the back cushions.

Next, I added a whitewashed wooden bench and inexpensive side tables, and I was done for the first season.

An Outdoor Room

It’s remarkable how even a small space needs to be pulled together. So, for our second warm weather season, my goal for our small patio space was to turn it into an outdoor oasis.

The first summer I worked solely on function. Now it was time to add character and personality. I committed to a color palette of blue and white, and set off finding accessories that would make a cohesive statement.

The most impactful addition was the outdoor rug, an underpinning with the ability to pull the entire enterprise together. I cannot overstate the importance of this one simple piece.

I added coordinating throw pillows in varying patterns and chinoiserie planters with white potted plants.

It was also at this time that I moved the bench to our front entry and replaced it with a little bistro set that is the perfect spot to have coffee.

Adding Color

I was delighted with the intimate nature of our outdoor room, but I quickly got bored with the blue and white palette.

This is when I really began to appreciate those early furniture decisions I’d made. The beauty of working with neutral key pieces is that it’s easy and affordable to change your color theme as the mood strikes you.

Over the next few seasons, I began experimenting with color, playing with various pop colors by changing pillows, blankets and flower plantings in the pots. The brights looked cheery against the lush greenery backdrop.

Refining the Vibe

A few years in, however, I started to feel like the patio had a different vibe than the rest of our home. My modern French style was mostly neutral with soft pale touches and vintage accents.

Our patio, instead, was peppered with bold color and had a harder edge to it. A change was in order.

The very simple solution was to get a new outdoor rug in neutral tones, soften the pillow colors and use less vibrant plants. I used pale pink and lilac for the plantings, beiges and chambray for the pillows and the exact same furniture suddenly read as very soft and tranquil.

Seasonal Updates

Whatever my palette, through spring and summer our patio generally stays the same, but come fall, I always like to update it with seasonal touches. For starters, my plants have often seen better days by this point and an infusion of fall color is also welcome.

We still have drinks and hors d’oeuvres outside for a few months, sometimes even until Thanksgiving, and wooly pillows and throws add a cozy air to the space. I use string lights and lanterns as the light begins to fade, and when it starts to chill we move inside for dinner.

It would be nice to have an outdoor fireplace or use a fire pit this time of year, but our development doesn’t allow it. Still, if you’re only limited by space and not HOA rules, you can easily add a fire pit in place of the coffee table.

Getting the Details Right

The past few years have been about refining the details and I’ve tweaked several of the supporting players a few times.

The first issue I addressed was the fading teak coffee table, which wasn’t aging as nicely as I’d hoped. I didn’t mind the mellowing color, in fact I rather liked it. But with it came spotting that looked terribly unsightly. I decided to move to a concrete table, first trying a round one, and later replacing it with a more substantial and convenient rectangular shape.

I updated the flimsy end tables with matching concrete ones and then turned my attention to additional seating. I didn’t want to block the view from the entrance to our little patio, so I tried a woven settee and later settled on two rattan ottomans.

The blue rug made a reappearance for one last time, and this past year’s update included a new jute rug. (It turns out outdoor rugs are not that expensive and can be switched out as often as pillows.)

The Missing Piece

Today our patio is back to it’s neutral origins, with lots of organics used for texture and interest. I’ve added rugged planters and distressed urns which fit nicely with the rattan and the nubby pillows.

The latest addition was at hubby’s request, and while I fought it for a while, I love the finish it brings to the space. It is the outdoor umbrella which brought some much needed shade this very hot summer.

There’s no doubt our patio will be ever evolving, as the items are subject to the whims of the weather and take a lot of abuse. But the most expensive pieces and the general layout have not changed since the day we moved in.

I use the space almost every day, for three seasons of the year, and it truly functions as another room in our house.

It may be small, but we enjoy every inch of the space.

Now please enjoy what Ann and Yvonne are sharing, as well!

On Sutton Place | Outdoor Fall Decor Ideas

StoneGable | The Tanglewood House Porch and Patio