Small Patio Decor for More Outdoor Enjoyment

Your Urban Oasis

Small Patio Decor for More Outdoor Enjoyment

 

You live in an urban jungle. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors though. What you really need is a few intelligent modifications to your back patio to bring nature to your home. Fortunately, this isn’t terribly difficult to do.

 

Create an Expanded Room

 

There’s nothing like bringing the outside in, or the inside out. This one may or may not require extensive remodeling, but a patio door, or a sliding door, can be used to create an effectively larger living room, dining room, or even bedroom. How? Just open the door and lay down a carpet on the threshold.

 

It really is that simple. And, it’s also a great way to get some fresh air and do something other than watch T.V. You’ll need chairs suitable for the out of doors, of course, and those can be picked up at online outlets like http://www.swiveluk.com/uk/. Make sure you get something that’s waterproof and easy to clean.

 

Use Vertical Gardening

 

Hanging gardens are so beautiful. They’re also a little pricey if you try to buy them retail. Fortunately, they’re easy to make with a pallet and some dirt. If you have anything resembling a green thumb, it’ll take you an afternoon to set up. Then, all you need to do is find a secure place to hang it – like a fence.

 

An alternative would be to lay it up against the house. Once the flowers start blooming, you’ll be glad you have it.

 

Recycle Old Toys and Clay Pots

 

Using old clay pots and toy wagons as flower beds isn’t a new idea, but surprisingly few people actually do it these days. You can make this work if you don’t crowd your back patio with flowers. All you need is one wagon or maybe 3 small pots, and you’ll have enough butterflies and ladybugs to keep you entertained for an hour or two every afternoon.

 

Use Mirrors

 

Mirrors can make a small patio look much larger than it actually is. The trick is to get large mirrors – full length ones. Then, place them in corners or against a fence. All you need are a few of these things to make your patio look “deeper.” Just don’t overdo it or your back yard will look like a fun house.

 

Use Minimalist Decor

 

The more stuff you put in the back yard, the more cluttered and small it will look. Minimalism means space. Sometimes, just clearing out a crowded patio is all you need to make it look nice. If you have an especially small patio, you may even want to ditch the furniture and opt for hung potted flowers and a small rug.

 

Since each home is different, you’ll have to assess what will work and what won’t in your back yard.

 

If you have enough room, use one major piece of furniture as the focal point, and then orient everything else around that piece. This can also give you the illusion of space. So, for example, you could put a tabletop fire pit out on the patio and then a small lawn chair. It’ll be like a private room. Not too cluttered, but not barren either.

 

Guest Blogger: Abby Campbell is a retired interior designer with a love for blogging about inspirations for any home. From knowing how to decide to revitalize a space to finding your inspirations, she frequently writes about the basics for functional and beautiful home design.