11 Affordable Ways to Update Your Patio this Summer

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Welcome, patio enthusiasts! If you’re on the hunt for wallet-friendly ways to jazz up your outdoor space this summer, or if you’re seeking budget-friendly patio revamp ideas but feeling a tad bewildered – fret not, you’ve landed in the perfect spot! 🌞✨

Watch my video instead!

How to decorate your patio this summer

Decorating an outdoor space on a budget isn’t as daunting as it seems! While it may feel overwhelming, patio decor doesn’t have to be intimidating.

🤫 PSST!! Here’s the secret to patio decor: approach your outdoor decor just like you would indoor decor and consider the weather in your area.

And that’s all it really is! How can we apply this practically? Well, let’s delve in and explore!

1. OUTDOOR FURNITURE & ITS FUNCTION

Having a cozy and welcoming seating area can truly make or break your outdoor space! But hold on! Before you rush out to purchase new patio furniture, the first step thing you need to do is determine whether or not your new patio furniture needs to withstand harsh weather conditions. If you live in a region with extreme temperatures, strong winds, or heavy rainfall, then it’s important to choose patio furniture that is durable and can withstand these elements.

Once you’ve made this decision, it’s crucial to consider the purpose of your outdoor space. Whether for relaxation or entertaining, choose furniture that suits your needs.

• for a chill-out area, a modular outdoor couch with a low coffee table works well
• dining areas require a proper table and chairs
• poolside spaces may benefit from loungers and a side table

Tailor your furniture choices to how you plan to use the space for optimal functionality!

My favorite places to shop for affordable patio furniture have got to be Wayfair, Ikea and Amazon.

Walmart also has some great outdoor conversation sets – how absolutely GORGEOUS is this 3 piece ‘chat set’ for only $250?? I want this so bad! It’s totally giving me all the chic French country house vibes.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get some good looking weather-resistant outdoor furniture!

2. STRING LIGHTS ARE A MUST! 

String lights are a must for creating a magical evening atmosphere on the patio. They are SO inexpensive and make such a huge, immediate impact! I swear the string lights are what make our patio feel so cozy in the evening – without them the vibe just wouldn’t be the same!

You can get string lights as the plugin kind, battery-operated or even solar-powered, just choose whatever is most suitable for your situation. Ours our solar powered and they’ve been performing really well over the past 2 years and we’ve even left them out all winter. Unfortunately I don’t have a link to them as I actually picked them up at Homegoods (HomeSense in Canada). But they’re basically identical to these.

If you don’t have any plugs where you want to place your lights, then obviously solar or battery operated string lights would be the way to go.

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▶️For a cozier effect, opt for warm white lights rather than cool white. Cool light bulbs tend to create an office feel – NOT the vibe you’re going for on your super relaxing patio!

Here are some ideas for how to use string lights as a part of your patio decor:

• in a lantern (instead of using candles)
• under an umbrella
• anchor them across the patio or gazebo
• along a balcony railing
• around a tree trunk
• around a bush
• cascading from branches

And don’t forget citronella candles if you live in an area with mosquitos!

3. TEXTILES tO SOFTEN

If you aren’t in a place where you can purchase new furniture, don’t despair! Soft textures can do wonders to liven up and improve a space. Add some cozy blankets, throws and accent pillows to spruce up your existing furniture (and perhaps strategically cover some rips or tears!).

Try to use the colors and patterns of the textiles to create a cohesive palette that works with what you already have.

Cushions and throws really help soften metal outdoor furniture which can sometimes appear harsh on its own. Check out my guide on how to mix and match throw pillows if you feel lost.

Keep in mind that if you don’t get weather resistant textiles they’ll need to come in at end of season or when it rains!

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▶️A great way to freshen up old patio furniture is by spray painting it with a new color.

Spray paint is literally the most satisfying instant update which requires minimal cost and effort! #instantgratification

4. PLANTS AND PLANTERS

Planters are a great outdoor addition; flowers and plants add so much life and warmth and where better to have them than outdoors on your patio!

Try mixing planters in different heights and widths and group them in odd-numbered clusters.

You can buy plants on the cheap from places like Walmart and other home improvement stores.

Or, if the season is right and you want to try your green thumb, buy the seeds and plant them yourself!

5. FIRE PITS

There are lots of different types of fire pits and they vary greatly in price.

Of course, not all types are suitable for all types of outdoor spaces (for example condo patios) but if where you live allows for one, they really are the ultimate patio addition!

The ambiance a fire pit adds is unparalleled!

Without getting into all the different types of fire pits that are available on the market (which requires a whole post of its own!), the cheapest one you can get is a classic wood-burning fire pit, which you can swing for well under 100$.

You can even build your own outdoor fire pit for only $60!

Lastly, check out this post if you want to DIY your firepit!

6. ROPE LIGHTING

Rope lights are basically string lights encased in a clear and flexible plastic tube. The plastic casing makes rope lighting weather resistant, inexpensive and really easy to install.

Rope lights can be used to:

• outline a path
• highlight steps
• delineate a specific area of your patio at night
• illuminate railings

As mentioned above for string lights, you can opt for warm white rather than cool white here too, if you want a cozier feel. The effect is beautiful!

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▶️If you can tuck the rope away under the lip of an inconspicuous edge, it will hide the plastic during the day when it’s off.

7. SOLAR LIGHTS ARE YOUR FRIEND

Solar lights are another great patio or garden addition. No need to switch them on and off, which is super convenient, and they provide free illumination, which is beyond awesome!

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▶️If your solar lights die after only a few months, don’t chuck them out! They can actually be repaired. Just open it up, replace the battery (usually it’s an AA or a AAA) and you are good to go!

I found a super useful YouTube video that showed me how to do it.

The video has 160k+ views so it’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one who didn’t know how to fix a solar light 😂

8. HAMMOCKS & HANGING CHAIRS

If you’ve got the space, consider adding a hammock or hanging chair! They are wonderful!

Hammocks require a little more space, especially if you are using one of those hammock stands (they need between 9′ to 15′). But swing chairs can be hung in more restrictive spaces.

Hammocks and swing chairs can be either free-standing (ie they come with their own stand) or you can attach them to a ceiling, or sturdy tree trunk or branch.

Hammocks and hanging chairs provide instant transportation to your tropical country of choice 🌴🍍

9. OUTDOOR RUGS

Weatherproof rugs are a great way to tie your seating area together.

Bold and geometric patterns are great but just go with anything that speaks to you and the rest of your decor!

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▶️If you’re on a budget and you have a large space, it can be more cost-effective to buy two rugs and overlap them.

Click here to check out an amazing selection of my favorite affordable outdoor rugs!

10. SIDE TABLES, STOOLS, TREE STUMPS…

Don’t forget, everyone needs a place to put their glass of wine! (or morning coffee)

Side tables are great for placing out little accessories that will fill out the space, like candles and lanterns and little plants.

There are plenty of affordable side tables for under $100 that would look great on a patio.

11. ACCESSORIES

Ahh my favorite: ACCESSORIES! When you shop for patio accessories, think baskets, candles, trays, hurricanes …

Also, lanterns are great, as they are not only stylish during the day but also provide ultra-cozy ambiance at night. Win/win!

Pop a candle in your lantern, or instead, fill it with tiny fairy lights on a copper wire!

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▶️Cluster a few different height lanterns together to create a striking visual impact.
▶️Use baskets to add texture and store extra pillows and throws.

Whether you love hosting gatherings or seek to craft a cozy patio retreat, I hope these budget-friendly patio update ideas will help you design an outdoor space perfect for enjoying all summer long! Have you updated your patio recently? I’d love to hear what you did to improve your space!