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Everything You Need to Know to Furnish & Decorate Your Patio

You have an outdoor space, but how can you set it up for resort-worthy relaxation and entertaining? Look at your patio, balcony or terrace as a blank canvas, and imagine what kind of activities you’ll enjoy in the space. You know you need seating, tables, storage and accessories, but how do you arrange them to create the outdoor experiences you want? No matter the size of your outdoor space, let us at Pottery Barn give you some guidance on how to furnish and decorate it. 

How to Decorate a Patio

Furnish & Decorate to Entertain: Small Space

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Fortunately, there are all types of patio furniture solutions for snug spaces. Consider streamlined metal designs over larger wood options to fit in a tight footprint. Slim metal pieces tend to look proportionately best in a tight space because they have a lighter, airier appearance. Metal, such as tubular aluminum, is lightweight because it’s hollow inside, making it extra easy to move furniture around. That way, you can stay flexible when entertaining. For longer lasting metal furniture, look for matte finishes that prevent rust from forming.

To relax to the fullest in smaller spaces, create a cozy nook with a round, brightly colored ceramic accent table. Flank it with two patio chairs for hours of comfortable stargazing and lounging. Add a shared ottoman for extra comfort. Or, arrange an outdoor sofa against a wall with a coffee table ottoman for extra seating and side accent tables for drink placement. Don’t discount your dream of having an outdoor sectional even if you have a petite patio. A sectional gives immediate elegance to a small space. Look for streamlined four-piece sectionals that are designed to fit into smaller outdoor spaces in just about any configuration. Add a layer of comfort with a pretty outdoor rug that ties the small space together for extra cohesion.

Serve bites and beverages on your  patio with a bistro table and chair set. Bistro sets come with two to four chairs. That way, you can easily host a small gathering with style. Add a rolling outdoor bar cart with a tray for serving drinks and small snacks. Wheel it to the side when relaxing on your own. If you have room to spare, a slim outdoor bar and barstool set lets you host guests in a festive way. With a compact bar set, you get a lot of valuable space and storage for barware. That storage is condensed into an average 28"- to 30"-long bar, though they come in all lengths. Many have adjustable shelves, drawers, a spacious working counter and a buffet surface. Just add candles and string lights and bring out a few fruity drinks to create a tropical bar paradise!

Small patios are also fun to decorate because your creative thinking results in a one-of-a-kind space. For example, do you need to keep drinks cold outdoors? Gather ice cubes in a colorful, decorative planter or a rust-resistant galvanized pail. You can also use galvanized pails for all types of outdoor storage. Or, stage one with flowers for a table centerpiece. Keep the party glowing with flameless candles mixed in with regular candles when accessorizing a romantic, small outdoor space.

 

Decorating a Large Patio

Furnish & Decorate to Entertain: Large Space

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Do you have a lot of outdoor space for entertaining? Make the most of that ample area by creating separate zones for dining and lounging. Use weather-resistant outdoor rugs to help define and distinguish each area. Look for stylish outdoor rugs woven from recycled plastic that are fully reversible to give you twice the wear and design possibilities.

Do you envision yourself hosting casual, formal and holiday meals al fresco at a table filled with family and friends? You’ll want a full-size outdoor dining table and chair set in a design that expresses your style. Full-size outdoor dining table and chair sets tend to be large and heavy to move. It helps to decide on the placement and layout before you set up your furniture. Today’s outdoor dining sets are designed to fit in just as well indoors as they do on your patio. If you frequently entertain larger groups, go for an extending table that adjusts to a bigger size. Choose sets with full or partial banquet seating that slip into the corner of a patio. Farmhouse tables with concrete tops and turned wooden legs add some stately presence to your patio. Tables with trestle bases and round concrete tables with wood pedestal bases look great as rustic accents.

You can also take a different approach and choose your table and seating separately. All-weather wicker chairs look elegant with concrete-and-wood tables. X-backed bistro chairs pair well with streamlined wood or metal tabletops. Two exceptional outdoor furniture materials, teak and all-weather wicker, are durable and beautiful. With good care and protective covers, they can stay looking their best while you make memories around the table for years.

 

Decorating with Wicker Patio Furniture

What is Teak Furniture?

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To achieve a bit more of a formal look on your patio, consider teak. Teak is a solid, dense hardwood. That’s strong and durable. This material also has natural weather resistance that makes it low-maintenance. Its beauty comes from its smooth grain and unique color variations. Over time, if exposed to the elements, the golden color of teak develops an elegant gray patina thanks to its natural oils. These often eliminate the need for you to apply sealers and finishes if you live in a drier climate.

To maintain the warmth of the wood’s golden brown color, select sealed teak. The natural oils also repel moisture and insects, making it even more ideal for outdoor living. Teak can be a lifelong purchase because of its durability. Look for furniture crafted from responsibly harvested, plantation-grown teak that’s sustainable and not endangered. To maintain teak, use a bristle brush and some diluted household cleaner to remove dirt. For deeper stains, a mild sanding can remove the spot.

 

What is Wicker Furniture?

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If you’re leaning towards more of a casual, romantic or nostalgic ambience for your outdoor space, turn to all-weather wicker seats. Add cushions and pair the chairs with a table of your choice. Wicker goes with just about every tabletop material, from wood to concrete to metal. Woven from durable synthetic material that replicates the look and feel of natural wicker, all-weather wicker maintains its texture and beauty for years. It’s resistant to temperature changes and even strong sunlight. Maintaining synthetic wicker is easy. Simply vacuum it monthly and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth dipped in mild water and liquid dish detergent mix. Dry it with a clean cloth.

For large spaces, you might also create a custom outdoor kitchen with built-in grill and appliances. But whether your patio is spacious or on the smaller side, always consider a grill. You can cook up fresh and delicious meals right before your guests’ eyes.

 

How to Furnish and Decorate a Patio

Furnish & Decorate for Lounging

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Perhaps you want to use your patio to create a luxurious outdoor retreat. Consider how you want your lounging zone to look and function. For a smaller, casual lounging area with a rustic touch, outfit the space with a pair of Adirondack chairs pointed in the direction of a spectacular view. Add a gliding porch swing along with accent tables to set out drinks. Do you have a small stand of trees? Hang a hammock or a homemade outdoor bed swing to catch the breeze.

If you have the space, nothing says resort-style rest and relaxation like an upholstered outdoor sofa, loveseat, sectional or outdoor chaise lounge. Choose a design with deep cushions you can sink down into. Outdoor sofas, chairs and sectionals look like their indoor counterparts, and they’re just as comfortable. Perhaps you’re hoping to design a romantic outdoor patio filled with dramatic wicker seating with Victorian-era flair. All-weather wicker definitely delivers. You can find all-weather wicker seating in contemporary, angular designs that pair well with square-arm sofas and sectionals, too. If you’re looking to dramatically define your outdoor room, create a separate outdoor room with a substantial U-shaped sectional defining the “walls.” 

Seating comfort is the key to enjoying hours outdoors. Cushions and pillows have a big impact on how relaxing your outdoor rooms look and feel. Today’s outdoor pillows and cushions come in all shapes and sizes – even lumbar and bolster styles for extra support and comfort. Pillows designed for outdoor use may be covered in moisture-, fade- and stain-resistant fabric. 

Sunbrella®, for example, is a solution-dyed fabric that’s ideal for outdoor pillows and cushions. This material is durable and resists fading. That’s why it’s also used for outdoor umbrellas. Plus, if you want a little lounging privacy, there’s Sunbrella® outdoor drapery. To keep your outdoor upholstery in prime condition, consider a bag specially designed to store cushions. Look for storage bags made from spun polyester with vinyl backings to resist tears, abrasions and cracks. These also limit odors. Zippered closures keep critters away from your cushions, as well.

If you want to lengthen your outdoor season into the chillier autumn months, add a fire pit to your yard. Surround the fire pit with a grouping of outdoor chairs, or create a snug circle with an outdoor sectional. The warm glow of a fire pit encourages you to take advantage of your outdoor lounge space almost year-round. There’s nothing quite as cozy as sitting around a fire pit roasting marshmallows under the light of the moon. Be sure to keep plenty of faux fur and knit throws on hand to stave off evening chills in cooler weather. For fire pit safety, place a watering hose nearby curled up in a planter for easy accessibility.

 

Additional Accents & Considerations

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You’ve committed to creating the most inviting, relaxing and entertaining outdoor spaces. Choosing the right furniture for your needs is your first step. There are other considerations to think about, too. Make sure your patio is safe and sound and that your furniture and decor are protected.

 

Patio Accents

How to Light a Patio

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Once you’ve decorated your space, it’s time to figure out how to light your patio. Illuminating an outdoor space is simple. It involves two main components: candles and string lights. Let the moon, stars and blinking fireflies provide even more glow when you’re entertaining or lounging outdoors. Be sure you have adequate exterior outlets to accommodate your string lights instead of running wires through windows.

To achieve a dreamy look with string lights, drape them on plants, tree limbs and fences. Suspend them between two poles. Or, string them around a structure, such as a garden pergola, or under a porch or patio overhang. If you have a cluster of trees, wrap all the tree trunks the same way for a charming fairy-tale atmosphere.

Though patio lighting is typically decorative, it’s a visibility and safety factor, too. For safety reasons, augment decorative lighting with landscape lighting, brighter outdoor fixtures and recessed lighting under the eaves. They all enhance the ambience around your setting, too. Choose fixtures designed specifically for outdoor use with a damp UL-listing on the label. Only use your outdoor damp-rated fixtures in covered, fully protected locations, such as covered patios and porches protected from water. Be sure they’re installed where fixtures are not directly exposed to water, even during storms. 

The designs and materials used for many outdoor chandeliers, pendants and fixtures make them look every bit as beautiful as interior fixtures. To add lighting to outdoor step risers and pathways, place outdoor lanterns in strategic areas to illuminate the way. When it comes to landscape lighting and the placement of additional outdoor outlets, contact a licensed electrician for help. This ensures everything is installed safely.

 

How to Select an Umbrella

How to Select an Umbrella and Base

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If your patio is fully exposed to sunlight, you’ll want the shaded protection of a table umbrella. Patio and market umbrellas work well alone with bases or set in bases through tables to keep them steady. A hotel-style cantilever umbrella has a tilting arm that angles and height-adjusts the canopy at the just-right spot to throw shade. Umbrellas like this come in fade-resistant materials, such as Sunbrella®, in colors that span everything from neutrals to vibrant jewel tones. 

You’ll likely purchase your umbrella base separately from your umbrella. Take note to choose the right size and weight for proper stability. A freestanding umbrella requires a heavier base because a table doesn’t protect or stabilize it. Bases come in various materials, including concrete, steel and fiberglass. The general guideline is that a smaller through-table 6'-diameter canopy requires a 30-pound base. A through-table 9'-diameter canopy requires at least a 75-pound base for enough stability. 

 

How to Select Patio Furniture Covers

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When the season ends or inclement weather is heading in, protect your furniture with the right covers. Covers help your furniture last as long as possible. High-quality covers are tailor-made to the specific designs and shapes of your furniture. However, there are also universal covers that fit numerous configurations and designs. They have straps and ties to tighten for better fit. 

Water and snow tend to pool on a table’s top, weighing down on the surface. To avoid a damaged top and table frame, look for covers that have a tenting device. This allows water and snow to drain off the tabletop. The thicker the material of the cover is, the more blockage your furniture has from the sun's damaging UV rays. Look for covers that zip together for seamless protection of large or L-shape items – even bar sets. 

 

Patio Bar Ideas

How to Select Outdoor Dinnerware & Glassware

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The types of plates and glasses you choose for your gathering should take into account style and safety. Don’t worry about broken glassware every time you have guests over. Consider unbreakable melamine dinnerware and serveware. Choose shatter- and impact-resistant acrylic glassware for everyday or bar use. If you love the look of glass or crystal, consider the beauty and functionality of Schott Zwiesel Tritan® drinkware. These glasses come in a wide range of traditional shapes. They’re also made of lead-free, dishwasher-safe crystal. With this durable type of crystal on hand, you can even have a champagne toast outdoors without the worry of shattering your flutes.

 

Your patio may still be a blank canvas that’s yet to be painted with your own layers of comfort, color and style. But once you have your outdoor space set up, it’ll be your happy place. There, you’ll enjoy seasons of lounging and dining with family and friends in the open air. Protect your outdoor decorating efforts using these helpful tips and ideas so you can enjoy the space year after year.