Decorating Essentials for a Cozy Patio

If you’ve looked at Pinterest or a home and garden website lately, you’ve probably come across photos of wonderfully cozy backyard patios filled with comfortable furniture and lush greenery or modern pergolas cloaked in ethereal fabrics and twinkling outdoor string lights.

My own patio is far from a fairy oasis at the moment, but my goal is to eventually transform what is currently a drab concrete pad into an inviting, relaxing space. However, I’m the mother of a very active toddler (though I’m not sure there’s any other type of toddler), so I don’t have a lot of time or energy to devote to decorating.

In other words, I need to make this endeavor as easy as possible.

So, to prevent myself from getting overwhelmed, I’ve broken down my patio decor project into four components:

• Outdoor lighting
• Outdoor furniture
• Outdoor fabrics
• Patio-friendly plants

Once I’ve ticked each of those boxes, I’ll have the elements of a cozy patio that my family and I can use for time spent together as well as outdoor entertaining.

Care to join me on my low-stress patio decorating adventure? Keep reading to learn more about my plan.

Outdoor Lighting

The right lighting is key to the right ambience. And in the case of outdoor spaces, lighting is crucial to being able to enjoy your patio or deck well after the sun goes down. If you’re comfortable with live flames, consider candles and tiki torches. A custom landscape lighting design is a great option if you’re in the market for something more permanent.

Otherwise, take a look at the flameless alternatives I’m using:

• Flameless LED candles
• Outdoor string lights
• Electric table and floor lamps

Flameless LED Candles

When it comes to creating a cozy outdoor space, ambience is paramount—and so is safety. Candles are pretty, but open flames aren’t for everyone.

If you have kids or pets running around, or if you’d rather not have to worry about remembering to blow out a live flame at the end of the evening, opt for battery-operated or solar-powered LED candles. Mix and match different shapes and sizes for a custom look.

Outdoor String Lights

Relatively inexpensive and easy to find, string lights are a versatile outdoor lighting option. I love string lights because even the larger bulbs still look delicate and whimsical, and they’re easy to wrap around pergola legs, hang from patio umbrellas, or even wind into large glass jars for a unique lighting solution.

Be sure to choose lights that are rated specifically for outdoor use, and look for LED light bulbs instead of conventional bulbs. LEDs use less power, last longer, and run much cooler, which reduces the risk of fire.

I always look for white LEDs with a color temperature of 2,700 Kelvin to get the warm, yellow-tinted white that feels cozy to me. If you prefer a cooler, blue-tinted light, look for bulbs in the range of 3,600 to 5,500 Kelvin.

If you don’t have outdoor power outlets on your patio, look for string lights that are powered by a battery pack, or hire a licensed electrician to install a couple of outdoor-rated receptacles.

Electric Table and Floor Lamps

If your patio includes some amount of cover—either from an awning, a patio cover, or a solid roof—consider floor or table lamps designed for outdoor use. Home improvement and lighting stores have a wide selection, so you’ll almost certainly be able to find something to suit your style.

Most outdoor lamps are made of metal so they won’t deteriorate over the years, but it’s still a good idea to bring them inside if storms appear on your local weather forecast.

Outdoor Furniture

Don’t worry about your patio furniture matching the inside of your home—if fact, patio decor is a great way to branch out and try your hand at some new styles.

I’ve favored a minimalist style for the interior of my home, so I’ve decided to look for outdoor furniture that is a little more eclectic. I’m scouring yard sales, secondhand shops, and online resale websites for side tables and patio chairs that fit the light, airy esthetic I’m going for.

Outdoor furniture takes much more of a beating from the weather than indoor furniture, so it’s important to choose materials carefully. Check out these patio furniture types that have proven to hold up well over the years:

Metal Patio Furniture

Outdoor furniture made from aluminum, stainless steel, or wrought iron will last for decades with proper care. You won’t need to scramble outside to cover it when you see storm clouds roll in, and you’re unlikely to find a chair in the middle of your backyard after high winds.

Metal furniture isn’t completely maintenance-free, however. Bare wrought iron will rust, so purchase pieces that have been painted or plan to paint them yourself as soon as possible.

Resin Patio Furniture

If you like the classic look of wicker outdoor furniture but are concerned about its ability to withstand the weather, look for synthetic resin wicker instead. Synthetic resin is technically a heavy-duty form of plastic, but it’s stout enough to not blow away in the wind, and it won’t fade in the sun.

Teak Patio Furniture

If you have your heart set on wood patio furniture, I’d recommend springing for teak. Tables and chairs made from relatively soft woods such as pine and cedar will deteriorate over the years unless you bring them inside every time it rains.

Teak, on the other hand, is a true hardwood, and it produces its own protective oil as a barrier against moisture. Just like any wood, unsealed teak will weather to a lovely shade of silvery gray; if you prefer the golden tone it has when it’s new, plan to clean and seal your furniture on an annual basis.

Outdoor Fabrics

Comfort and coziness go hand in hand, so regardless of the furniture material you choose, add some cushions to make your outdoor space even more inviting. Whether you choose natural or synthetic fibers, here’s what you need to know:

• Treat cotton canvas or duck cloth cushions with a water- and stain-repellent solution to make them easier to clean.
• Synthetic fabrics, such as vinyl, olefin, and PVC-coated polyester, are weather and fade resistant.
• Some outdoor fabrics are softer to the touch than others—feel out a few different fabric types at the store to find the material you like best.
• If there’s a chance that the cushions will be exposed to rain, make sure the inserts are made from polypropylene or another completely waterproof material.

Consider your lifestyle when you purchase outdoor cushions and fabrics. Since any furniture at my house is subject to the occasional swipe of a marker and a host of other messes, I’m specifically looking for easy-to-clean olefin cushions.

Patio-Friendly Plants

Plants are the final touch in creating your cozy patio retreat. Vary colors, sizes, and shapes for visual interest, and be mindful of each plant’s size. You may love that butterfly bush when it’s relatively small, but take note of how large it will be at maturity. Be prepared to prune patio trees when necessary.

Your climate needs may differ from mine, but here’s a brief list of patio plants that work well in almost any part of the country:

• Geraniums
• Begonias
• Angelonia
• Jasmine
• Bamboo
• Boxwood
• Fruits, herbs, and veggies

I’m trying to create a privacy barrier between my outdoor space and my neighbors’ deck, so I’m planting arborvitae—a tall evergreen shrub—along one side of my patio. Once I’ve created that living wall, I’ll have a blank slate to which I can add containers of colorful, easy-to-maintain plants.

So far, I have several pots of strawberries going, along with rosemary and basil. Next step: planting flowers for extra color and whimsy.

Ready to Create Your Outdoor Retreat?

If I’ve learned anything in my years of being a homeowner, it is that decorating takes a lot more time and planning than I ever think it will. And outdoor spaces almost always require ongoing maintenance.

Give yourself plenty of time to get your patio decorated the way you want, and keep in mind that it may take a couple of seasons—or more. Your patio is valuable living space, however, so don’t let it sit empty and unused even if the decor isn’t quite ready.

Join me in working through these four elements, and before we know it, we’ll both have an enchanting patio to rival the photos we see online.