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Small patio inspiration that will help you transform your outdoor space

patio lede
There are lots of ways you can decorate a small patio on a budget. The Pretty Byrd House/Sophie/Instagram
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Kristin brightened her small patio with a geometric table and a plethora of plant life.

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Plants are a great addition to a patio. Kristina/Instagram

The cute setup has a little bit of everything.

The geometric table and chair offer the perfect place to cozy up with a cup of coffee, while the shelf of plants acts as both decor and an interactive focal point in the space.

Plants are a great tool you can use to redecorate your space without spending a lot of money.

Accessories make all the difference in this space.

fox hollow cottage
You don't have to stick to traditional outdoor decor for a patio. Fox Hollow Cottage/Instagram

As Shannon of Fox Hollow Cottage explained on her blog, she decorated her sun porch with an abundance of plants. 

A cute rug, an egg chair, and baskets of blankets add to the inviting feel of the space. 

You might not think to add non-traditional patio furniture to your space, but it might be exactly what your outdoor area needs.

The beachy vibe of this porch is easy to recreate with the right furniture.

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You can recreate the beachy vibe of this porch. Everything Emily Ann/Instagram

Everything Emily Ann used candles and plants to brighten up her balcony. 

She also stuck with a beachy, blue color scheme to make the space look cohesive. 

Adding details like a curtain or cushion can take your patio to the next level without breaking the bank.

Adding your own personal style makes a big difference in an outdoor space.

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You can personalize an outdoor space. Hannah's Home Styling/Instagram

This patio, designed by Hannah's Home Styling, has a matching couch and table set that has a distinctly feminine vibe. It's instantly inviting.

The floral decor on the egg chair adds a flair of style, as does the decorated ladder nearby.

Combining things you naturally gravitate towards, like flowers, with furniture will bring personality to your porch. 

You can use lighting to make your space feel like a private oasis.

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Twinkly lights are great for decor. Edgar Alejandro G. Gonzalez/Instagram

Edgar Alejandro G. Gonzalez's patio is cute for a lot of reasons, including the rug and bright pillows.

But the hanging lights make all the difference in the space, transforming the patio from an outdoor area to a designated space for relaxation.

You can even use plain Christmas lights on your patio if you don't want to buy a new string.

Your patio doesn't have to be big to be inviting.

marypz
Statement pieces are all you need. Mary P./Instagram

An egg chair takes up a full corner of Mary P.'s balcony, and the use of a statement piece ensures the space feels full without being cramped.

She also didn't go overboard with decor, keeping it simple with a few lights, small plants, and candles.

Mary's space also shows that buying a rug that can handle outdoor weather will make your patio look more put together.

Even if your space is small, you can fill it with life.

sophie
Vertical decor is smart for small spaces. Sophie/Instagram

Sophie took advantage of the vertical space she has on her patio, hanging plants and lights up high to make the outdoor area seem larger.

The big rug also brings the space to life, making it seem like more than just an outdoor area.

The space highlights the importance of approaching patio decor as a 360-degree experience.

A white color scheme can make a space seem bigger.

the pretty byrd house
Bright colors are a good choice outdoors. The Pretty Byrd House/Instagram

The black-and-white color scheme of The Pretty Byrd House's patio is modern, but the addition of wood furniture and ivory around the door gives the space a timeless appeal.

And the faux-fur chair and cute door sign make the space look even chicer.

You don't have to fill a patio with outdoorsy furniture if that's not your style, especially if your outdoor space is covered.

Small accessories like an ottoman or a mirror elevate this patio with ease.

nest of notions
It's best to not go over the top on decor in a small space. Nest of Notions/Instagram

A neutral color scheme prevents Nest of Notions' space from looking overwhelming, as it balances out the abundance of greenery in the space.

The blue pillow is the perfect pop of color, and the ottoman can double as additional seating. It's the perfect little escape.

Sometimes less really is more when it comes to patio decor.

You can see more patio inspiration on Pinterest.

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Samantha Grindell Pettyjohn
Samantha Grindell Pettyjohn is a Senior Lifestyle Reporter at Business Insider with more than eight years of experience in the lifestyle space.At Business Insider, Samantha's coverage focuses on unique living situations, interior design, celebrity style, and books. Her work includes features on multigenerational living and one-of-a-kind houses, timely articles on celebrity fashion, live coverage of award shows and pageants, and fun pieces about popular book series. Samantha also loves reporting on celebrities on her beats, from HGTV stars Christina Haack and Tarek El Moussa to authors such as Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros.Samantha appeared on Scripps News and CBS in 2022 to discuss the royal family, and in 2023, she won an Anthem Award for her work on Business Insider's package "Better Me."Samantha received her B.A. in English from Birmingham-Southern College in 2017, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She later earned her M.S. in Publishing from New York University in 2019. Samantha was previously a staff writer at Romper, and her writing has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Mic, and Oprah.com. Today, Samantha lives in Atlanta with her husband and dog.Email her at sgrindell@bjinnox.com and follow her on X.