Summer is almost here and I’m excited to share these easy summer patio decorating ideas! There was a time when I barely had any patio furniture or decor in my backyard. Then I realized my patio is an extension of my home. So I felt the need to invest in creating an outdoor patio space that I loved. Creating a nice summer patio space can be expensive! However, I’m here to share some simple budget friendly ways to create the perfect summer patio oasis!
Outdoor Patio Rug
An outdoor area rug for your patio is a simple stylish way to improve the overall look of your space! I love that most outdoor rugs are a lot less expensive than indoor rugs. The good thing about outdoor rugs is that they can protect the concrete/surface of your patio and they are water resistant. So that means the rug can be left outside when it rains! Start by measuring your patio area to see the size you need for your rug. For my patio, I bought this 8×10 outdoor rug from Big Lots at 25% off!
Tip: Pick a color/pattern that can easily look good throughout all seasons. Neutral colors like the one I have is a good choice.
Outdoor Patio Umbrella Stand
Over the years, I’ve had a couple umbrella stands and they were not aesthetically pleasing. So I decided to do a simple DIY umbrella stand. This was very affordable and less expensive than buying an actual umbrella stand. Here’s the simple step by step.
Items Needed
- Large planter HERE
- Small bucket HERE
- Pipe HERE
- Quick cement HERE
- Rocks HERE
- Cardboard cut into circle the size of planter
Instructions
- 1. Place small bucket inside planter
- 2. Place pipe in the middle of the small bucket (you will need someone to hold the pipe in place)
- 3. Begin pouring the quick cement and water into the small bucket. The quick cement will only go into the small bucket around the pipe
- 4. Wait about 1 hour to let the cement completely dry (please read specific directions on the quick cement)
- 5. Move the planter where you want it because it will be heavy to move once the rocks go in
- 6. Pour the rocks inside the planter(around the smaller bucket inside)
- 7. Use a cardboard cut into a circle to place on top of the small bucket.
- 8. Continue to add rocks until planter is full
- 9. The umbrella will slide into the pipe when in use.
Outdoor Patio Furniture
Decide on the style of furniture that you want. When I was deciding on the type of outdoor furniture I wanted, I decided on a lounge style for relaxing. We don’t do a lot of hosting at our house. So I didn’t feel like we needed the dining table style for our outdoor furniture. So when you are deciding on the type of outdoor furniture you want consider these things. 1). Will your outdoor space be a lounge area or more of a dining outdoors style? 2). How many seats do you need/want? 3). Will this space be primarily for adults or children or a combination? 4). What is your budget for your outdoor furniture?
Outdoor Patio Cushions
Updating patio cushions and pillows is an easy way to improve the overall look of your outdoor space. I always stick to neutral tones for my cushions. If you choose to add some color, just buy some accent pillows. I also love that the patio cushions and pillows are water resistant and fade resistant so they are okay if they get rained on.
Tip: A good time to buy patio cushions on sale is Memorial Day, July 5th, and the end of the summer. As a way to stay within my budget, I will always wait until the patio cushions that I want go on sale.
Questions
Q: What do you do with your patio cushions when it rains?
A: The patio cushions and pillows are water resistant and fade resistant so they are okay when it rains. However, we do store the cushions and the pillows in our garage when it rains to be on the safe side.
Q: Was the patio refresh expensive?
A: No. I waited until everything that I wanted was on sale. My patio cushions and pillows were 30% off, the rug was 25% off, and my umbrella stand was DIY so it was not expensive.
Q: Was the DIY umbrella stand difficult?
A: It was very easy. It will require two people because you’ll have to get someone to hold the pipe while the other pours in the cement.
Q: Has the DIY umbrella stand blown over?
A: No. We added about 80 lbs of cement and then we also added rocks so it’s solid. So based on the size of your umbrella, make sure you are adding the right amount of cement and rocks. We also remove the umbrella every evening. It does not stay up.
Additional Tips
- If you already have patio furniture, rearrange it for a new look
- Add greenery (faux or real)
- Add hanging lights
- Use outdoor bug/pest spray for your patio
I hope this simple summer patio oasis has inspired you to give your outdoor space a refresh. Remember, you don’t need a lot or need expensive items to make your space look beautiful. Also, if you’re looking for some fun activities for your kids to do at home this summer check out my blog post Stress-Free Summer Bucket List for Kids!
XO,
Ashley
