Small Patio Ideas for Your Outdoor Space

In our Style Challenge series, we challenge some of our favorite bloggers from around the web to surprise us with their ideas for creating a stylish and functional space using a single Home Depot product as a starting point. 

Hilary Walker of Hilary Inspired takes the challenge this time with some terrific small patio ideas, perfect for anyone who wants to decorate a small outdoor space. She tells us how she created a comfortable and lovely front porch setting starting with the Hampton Bay Canton cafe set.

The results are gorgeous, with a delightful helping of vintage quirk:

Second only to wearing sun-dresses and eating ice cream sandwiches, my favorite thing about Spring and Summer is time spent outdoors! For an individual who spends most of her Winter mourning the absence of afternoon walks and flower gardening, the arrival of Spring is big! One of the easiest and most leisurely ways to enjoy the warmer months is to spend it on the patio of your very own home. Of course, the right setting is key. Dingy porches and lack-luster decks are uninspiring and can be as un-motivating as harsh winter weather.

First of all, let’s get one thing straight right off the bat. Size doesn’t matter! No really… my porch is long and narrow with little room for any more than a couple lounge chairs and a side table. I knew when selecting my patio set that whatever I chose would have to be compact and versatile. My husband and I are currently renters but we didn’t want to compromise on comfort or looks simply because of tight quarters. Lucky for us, the Hampton Bay Canton cafe setwas not only charming and unique but it also solved many of the space problems we were facing. Comprising two lounge chairs and a side table/ bench combo, the set is exactly that – compact, versatile, comfortable, and yes… stylish too!

The second thing to remember is that your outdoor area is as much about the decorative details you use to embellish as the actual furniture itself. Don’t be afraid to consider all the options when decorating! After selecting our patio set, I quickly began gathering inspiration to style it. What better place to do that than Pinterest? If you’re interested, here’s the collection I curated as the spring board for decorating.

During the conceptualization stages, my mind drifted to bohemian lounges and exotic escapes. In order to achieve this look, I decided to work with vibrant layers of color, pattern, texture, and light. I may not be able to vacation in far-off places, but I can at least create something reminiscent at home!

Some of my favorite hues are ruby red, cobalt blue, and emerald green. I applied all three generously through the use of colored glasses, an outdoor rug, potted greenery, and a fired clay container. For pattern, I chose accent pillows with a whimsical jungle textile. The bright blue and green ikat rug further added to the layer of pattern and softened the hard concrete of the floor with a softer woven texture. Various potted plants and a fresh flower bouquet filled out the remainder of the space nicely. This is another excellent way to add texture and color to a patio, especially when entertaining.

I should also point out that the Canton set can be rearranged into multiple configurations. In this alternate layout, I moved the bench to the side and brought the lounge chairs closer together around the movable accent table.

As for the final element of light, I had an especially interesting DIY project in mind – one that was simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly impactful.

Canning jars hung from plant hangers and filled with sand and citronella votive candles… simple as that. The result is a decorative element that provides an interesting display during the day and a warm, inviting ambience throughout the evening. Besides the citronella, which is hugely helpful in warding off pesky mosquitos, the warm glow of the flame makes my new patio space absolutely irresistible after dark! It’s cozy, romantic, and relaxing… just what a girl needs after a long day of work. Now, I needn’t go far to find a quiet outdoor retreat.

Design is, in many ways, a fusion of the practicalities of life and the creative impetuous of art. This is the type of thing I love to explore and enjoy incorporating into my home. Thank you to The Home Depot for hosting me on The Apron blog! I’ll see you around the web from the cozy perch of new patio!!

Hillary is a social media writer, interior designer and stylist. Read more about her adventures in style, art and design at her blog, Hilary Inspired. She writes about authentic personal style through a collection of thoughts, photographs, and features gathered from her life and the lives of others.

Style Challenge is a series of posts from guest bloggers who aim to bring you fresh inspiration and ideas for your home and garden using a single Home Depot product as a starting point. Hilary received the patio set from The Home Depot, but The Home Depot provided no other compensation. The opinions and ideas Hilary expressed are her own.