Check out these budget-friendly small patio ideas for inspiration.
Want more design inspiration?
Opt for a Patio Set
Julian Porcino
Source usedpatio setsat thrift shopsor online.
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
A matched set will give a small outdoor space a polished look.
Group a collection on an outdoor dining table or create a DIY chandelier to create instant ambiance.
Decorate it with bulb string lights and trailing plants to complement rattan furniture.
Julian Porcino
Choose outdoor fabric for durability.
Paint it in a solid color or add rainbow stripes in pastel colors for a cheerful springtime vibe.
Paint it in a vibrant color for a custom feel.
Design by William Hunter Collective / Styling byEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Decorate With Potted Plants
Blanco Bungalow
Decorate a small patio with potted plants for a natural look.
Vary pot sizes and heights to add interest.
Decorate with black furniture and accessories for a modern look.
Fantastic Frank
Customize Your Patio Floor
Cathie Hong Interiors
Decorate a coveredpatio floorwithvinyl peel-and-stick tiles.
This weather-resistant material will give you the look of tile for less.
Build Wood Pallet Seating
Afro Bohemian Living
BuildDIY furniture using upcycled wood pallets.
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo bySara Ligorria-Tramp
Paint a sectional and matching coffee table sky blue and add inexpensive fabric-wrapped foam seat cushions.
Or ask around at hardware stores, small garden shops, grocery stores, or home improvement centers.
Hang a Hammock
Give a small backyard patio a vacation vibe by hanging a hammock.
A Beautiful Mess
Anchor it to mature trees or a solid wood fence.
Install a small bistro table and chairs that will allow you to enjoy the garden.
This will give a small outdoor space a more natural feel that lets the greenery be the focus.
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Improve Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Create an indoor-outdoor feel by leaving doors to your outdoor space open.
Maintain flow by keeping the path between the house and the patio free and clear.
Tweak Your Layout
Casa Watkins Living
Make a small patio feel larger by dividing it into zones.
Dazey Den
Hang a Light Fixture
Install a budget-friendly lighting fixture to brighten your outdoor space.
A boho-style woven pendant light will make a big impression on a small budget.
Complement Built-In Seating
Complement built-in elements like an L-shaped corner bench with a pair ofpatio chairs.
Blanco Bungalow
A few throw pillows in earthy colors will make outdoor seating more comfortable.
Embrace Minimalism
Cathie Hong
Embrace minimalism to save money and heighten style.
Style a Narrow Space
Make the most of a tight and narrow outdoor space with right-sized furniture.
Most Lovely Things
Install a Simple Wood Bench
Esther B Schmidt
Never underestimate the usefulness of a simple wood bench.
Style With Fresh Flowers
Decorate your outdoor dining table with fresh flowers.
Pick them from your garden or arrange supermarket flowers in Mason jars and glasses for an effortless look.
Cathie Hong Interiors
Try an Inflatable Hot Tub
Add some affordable luxury with aninflatable hot tub.
This budget-friendly option will allow you to create an oasis feel without breaking the bank.
Choose Multi-Purpose Furniture
Favor multi-purpose outdoor furniture when designing a small outdoor patio.
Afro Bohemian Living
Choose modular and flexible pieces or those with integrated storage to save space and money.
Hang Some String Lights
Hang string lightsto give a small outdoor space an instant makeover.
Choose exposed Edison bulbs or fairy lights depending on the mood you want to create.
Julian Porcino
Choose stripes for a classic look, or a colorful pattern for a more decorative look.
Source a used fireplace online to save on costs.
A little paint and some jewel-toned cushions will spruce things up with minimal effort.
Caitlin Higgins forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo bySara Ligorria-Tramp
This is an easy way to provide shade from the blazing sun, and a good solution for renters.
Install a Trellis
Add privacy to your backyardwith an affordable wooden trellis.
Pre-owned pieces will have a well worn patina that looks like they’ve been there for years.
Afro Bohemian Living
Install a Pea Gravel Patio
Cover yourpatio with pea gravelas an affordable alternative to hardscaping.
Choose a natural sandy hue for a bohemian feel or a darker tint for a more contemporary look.
Choose a Monochrome Palette
Paint everything the same color to makeover your space on a budget.
Julian Porcino
Transform Forgotten Spaces
Convert an unused driveway into anoutdoor living room.
Look for pieces that you have around the house to save money on buying new.
Use Scavenged Materials
Arbor & Co.
Outfit a rustic patio with scavenged tree stump tables.
Casa Watkins Living
Or arrange a bunch of tree stumps around a fire pit to create seating that the kids will love.
Go Black and White
Stick to a simple black-and-white color scheme to create a budget-friendly decor scheme.
This will make it easy to decorate without worrying about matching items.
Julian Porcino
Paint Your Floor
Cheat the look of patterned tile flooring with apainted concrete patiofloor.
Use stencils for an easy DIY, or map out your own design with painter’s tape.
DIY a Pallet Table
Build a wood pallet coffee table to complement a floating wood patio deck.
Cathie Hong Interiors
Stain it in a darker color to add contrast.
Repurpose Your Carport
Make your covered patio feel more inviting with simple decor touches.
The minimalist feel will save money and have an intentional feel.
Cathie Hong
Set up a simple seating area to accommodate your family, and build as you go.
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo bySara Ligorria-Tramp
Esther B Schmidt
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo bySara Ligorria-Tramp
Dazey Den
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo bySara Ligorria-Tramp
Dazey Den
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Mallory Wackerman
Emily Henderson Design/ Styled by Emily Bowser / Photo bySara Ligorria-Tramp
Dazey Den
Dazey Den
Dazey Den
Dazey Den
Blanco Bungalow
Dazey Den
Blanco Bungalow
Arbor & Co.
Arbor & Co.
Dazey Den
Julian Porcino
Arbor & Co.
Julian Porcino
House of Harvee
Arbor & Co.