When you live in an apartment, you most likely won’t have a backyard or lots of outdoor space. However, a lot of apartment complexes include a patio on the ground level so you can step outside and enjoy some fresh air. Even if a patio is small, it doesn’t mean it can’t be grand. If you are looking for ways to spruce up your patio and turn it into a luxurious outdoor space, here are some small patio ideas to consider.
Small patio ideas you’ll love
Whether you opt for all of these ideas or choose only a handful of these small patio ideas, you can turn any mundane patio into a place you’re dying to spend all your free time.
Just be sure to check with your landlord first before installing or building anything!
1. Add a table and chairs
First on the list is finding a set of chairs and a table. Patio furniture comes in all shapes and sizes. You can get wrought iron, plastic or rattan to name a few. No matter what kind of patio furniture you choose, a table and chairs are essential because it’ll be the place you sit to eat, drink, read or simply relax.
2. Consider multi-use furniture
If your patio is small, you’ll want to consider purchasing furniture that has multiple uses. For example, you could get a foot pedestal that also used as a small table, a footrest and a place to hold plants for decoration. If you can get each piece of furniture to serve more than one purpose, you’ll save money in the process, too.
3. Find foldable furniture
Are you short on space on your patio? This small patio idea is perfect for those with cramped quarters. Buy foldable furniture that you can easily store when you’re not using it. You can easily access and use it when you need to, otherwise, you can quickly fold it and store it to add more space to your patio.
4. Decorate with a mattress
Mattresses don’t just belong in a bedroom. Putting a mattress on your patio is a great way to create a Bohemian-style feel on your patio. Take a blow-up or regular mattress, put some sheets over it, add some blankets and you’ve got created a comfortable and chic patio.
5. Use pillows for comfort and decor
Pillows add both decoration and comfort to any patio space. Get some oversized pillows and add them to your patio, like this idea from Pinterest. You can put them on your chairs or use them as poofs to sit on. Pillows are a great way to add a pop of color to your patio as well as adding an element of comfort and design.
6. Get a blanket basket
Like pillows, blankets are another way to spruce up any patio. On summer nights as the sun sets and it starts to get cooler, people will want to grab a blanket to drape over their lap as they continue chatting and hanging out into the night. Get a basket to fill with outdoor blankets and you’ve got yourself some small patio decor that’s practical and cute.
7. Set up a speaker system
Music can set the mood on any occasion. From outdoor date nights to a casual gathering with friends on the patio, you need music to create ambiance. Invest in an outdoor speaker system for your patio. This could be a small speaker you plug your phone into, a smart home device like Alexa or even a full-blown speaker system. Regardless of what you choose, a speaker is a great small patio idea.
8. Watch movies on a movie projector
Movie projectors are a fun purchase to splurge on for your small patio. You can project a movie onto the wall of the apartment and watch it from the comfort of your patio. They don’t take up too much space but are a fun way to get outside more often.
9. String up a hammock
Opting out of traditional patio furniture? Consider hanging a hammock on your patio. If you’re cramped for space or simply like to hang from a hammock, this is a great small patio idea to go for.
10. Install a privacy screen
Given that patios are on the ground floor, you won’t have as much privacy as on a balcony. But, you can easily install a privacy screen, shutters or even curtains to your patio to create some privacy. Plus, you can have fun with the decorating process as you choose what color of the curtain you want or what color of paint to use on the privacy screen.
11. Burn some candles
Candles are a great small patio idea. They don’t take up much space but add a lot of ambiance to any patio. Get a variety of sizes, shapes and colors and use candles to both decorate and light up your patio.
12. String up lights
Strings of lights are another easy way to decorate your small patio. You can hang the lights from end-to-end, drape them around the table and chairs or hang them above the doorway. White string lights are cute, sparkly and practical and will make any patio feel like a fairy garden.
13. Add a rug
Rugs are a great way to decorate a small patio. First of all, they can add a pop of color to the patio. Second, they can cover up the ugly cement they likely were made of. And third, they make the space feel cozier.
14. Prop an umbrella
Your patio may already be shaded, but adding an umbrella is a great small patio idea. Umbrellas easily move so you can block out the sun anywhere it comes through on the patio. Umbrellas also come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes.
15. Pot some plants
Potted plants add charm to any patio. You can buy pots of all sizes, depending on how large your patio is. From small pots that fit on a table as a centerpiece to giant ones that take up lots of space, using pots as a small patio idea is a great way to add greenery to your patio.
16. Get flower window boxes
If you don’t have a garden but want to plant some flowers, you can buy a few flower boxes for windows, ledges or gates. Add the window box and fill it with your favorite flowers.
17. Think vertically
Because patios often are small and short on space, think vertically when decorating. You can use ladders, tall planter boxes or racks and decorate upward instead of outward. This allows you to have lots of decorations without taking up too much space.
18. Buy a barbecue
Barbecues go hand-in-hand with summer nights. Barbecues are a great product to invest in and add to your small patio. They may take up some space but it’ll be well worth it when you’re cooking and entertaining all summer long.
Just make sure they are allowed at your property before investing the money. Some cities do not allow grills on patios due to fire codes.
19. Build up a bar cart
Bar carts are a fun item to have on your patio. You can choose a bar cart and start building up the contents over time. You can add different types of drinks, mixers, cups and ice containers to it. Not only is it a great small patio idea, but your friends will also love coming over and mixing themselves up a drink.
20. Splash some paint
If your landlord permits, you can paint your patio. Consider painting the floor a fun color or one of the walls. This takes up no space and allows you to add more color into the space.
Decorating with our small patio ideas
It doesn’t take a full-blown renovation to turn an ordinary patio into a place of relaxation and rest. Your patio can become your outdoor oasis with these easy ideas for decorating your small patio. Any one of these small patio ideas will surely turn it into a place you want to spend all your free time.
Source: rent.com