Yes, Your Patio Is Big Enough to Decorate. Here's How.

As the weather gets warmer, it’s a good time to revisit your outdoor spaces. No matter the size of your yard, porch or patio, there are some simple changes you can make to beautify and refresh the space. That being said, sometimes lack of space can seem difficult to work with. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be. If you have limited square footage, you just need to choose the right decor in order to maximize and add comfort without causing clutter.

Here we will go over some simple ways to decorate a small patio to make the best use of the space.

Add Shelter

One of the first priorities in any outdoor decorating project should be protection from the elements. Whether you live in an especially hot and sunny climate, one with heavy rain or anything in between, there are options for adding shelter to even a tiny patio. Rather than spend a fortune on an attached awning system, opt for a folding umbrella. Umbrellas take up relatively little floor space and can shade a surprisingly sizable area depending on the angle of the sun. You can buy outdoor umbrellas in a variety of different fabrics, materials and finishes to best fit your particular climate. If rain is a concern, go for something moisture-wicking. If your priority is to keep the patio cool, stick with light colors.

Not only will a folding umbrella provide shelter while in use, it can be folded back up and stowed away. This gives you even more functionality for your small space and allows you the freedom to change things up whenever you wish.

Treat Your Feet

A good outdoor rug can make a noticeable difference for a small patio as long as you choose the right size. Go for a rug that doesn’t completely cover the area but isn’t too small, either. You want it to look like it fits the space perfectly. For designs and materials you have an enormous amount of flexibility. As with the umbrellas, make sure you consider your climate for rugs as well. Though all rugs advertised for outdoor use should have the bare minimum of a waterproof bottom layer, make sure you know what your rug is made of. You don’t want something that will mold when exposed to moisture or that will fade in direct sunlight.

It’s also a good idea to feel the surface of the rug. After all, most would use a patio rug as a good excuse to go barefoot. Is it going to keep you comfortable in a variety of conditions? These things are good to think about when looking for a rug, but no matter what you’ll find something to make the space immediately feel more welcoming and useful.

Plant Up!

Don’t let a lack of square footage keep you from adding plants. There are multiple space-saving ways to include greenery on and around your patio. Some options include tiered shelving, window-boxes or hanging plants. You can hang plants in baskets from a freestanding structure like a pergola or right from the walls of your home. Another way to include plantlife while conserving patio space is to go for plants that grow tall rather than wide. This way you can even use the plants for privacy and to keep the area cool.

There are lots of things to consider before jumping right into a patio upgrade. In addition to the environmental considerations above, think about how you want to use the space. Everyone has different preferences and lifestyle, but no matter what, it’s always possible to decorate what might feel like too small a space.