This summer we changed things up in our yard. Our new outdoor dining room is fabulous and so today, I’m sharing Small Outdoor Patio Ideas on this post.
Here in Northern California when summer arrives we live outdoors. This year, I refreshed our outdoor dining space and the whole family loves eating every meal on our patio.
But before we dig in, I must mention that today’s post is part of a lovely blog hop hosted by Krista of The Happy Housie. All the bloggers are sharing their outdoor spaces today and tomorrow. I’m so excited to be a part of this talented group of women!
Every spring, we dust off our outdoor furniture and bring it out of our winter storage. Normally, this is my husband’s ritual as he loves getting ready for his summer shenanigans. Well, since we were all stuck at home this spring, we all kind of helped out with this spring task.
A funny thing happened this round.
I suggested changing things up. But, if any of your know my husband, he is set in his ways, and rarely does he like to make any changes.
Well, I had this idea to move our outdoor table to under our patio. This meant getting rid of the black umbrella and moving it a whole 20 feet to a new location.
My husband hesitated at this suggestion, but once my son agreed with changing things up, he got on board.
Well, this new location is a huge improvement, but it did come with a new set of issues. I’ll address some of things I encountered with this new patio location.
Small Outdoor Patio Ideas Tutorial
*This post contains affiliate links
So, here are a few things to consider when decorating your outdoor patio space.
Sun Exposure
A pergola shades our patio, but still, the sunlight comes through the rows of slats. So, solving how to shade the patio was first on the agenda once we moved the table. First, we bought a sun sail which my husband easily installed on the top of our pergola. If you aren’t familiar with a sun sail, click on the link.
I was worried that the covering would block too much sun, so we ordered a white one. The light is perfect, bright but not harsh sunlight.
Night Lighting
One of my big complaints with our last outdoor table setup was that the umbrella inhibited our night lighting options. So, now that the umbrella is gone, I was happy to place some outdoor lamps over the table.
I had a difficult time finding outdoor hanging lights and was ready to make my own. But, at the last minute, my daughter and I found these wonderful Serena & Lily Pacifica Outdoor Pendant Lights.
These pendants are exactly what I wanted for adding more light to our outdoor dining experience. They make this space feel more like a room, and as a result, we are spending more evenings outside.
I wish I had taken photos of the work my husband did to install them. But the wiring he did wasn’t terribly complicated. So maybe when he takes it apart before storing them for the winter, I’ll take photos and write a blog post.
Table Accessories
Tablecloth
I was on the hunt for an outdoor table cloth, and I bought a few. I absolutely love this one. If one of us spills something on it, I wipe it clean with a damp cloth. The surface is not like an oiled cloth, but it’s somewhat easy to clean. I’ve washed it once, and it held up nicely.
The style is unique, and I love the look of the cute tassels.
Placemats
I found these handwoven placemats at Serena & Lily, and I love them. My family has spilled things on them, and the food just wipes off. Yes, life is all about messes! 🙂
My husband says they are little rough in texture, but I still love them! I especially like the little scalloped edges.
Real Orchids
The other day, I decided to buy a few real orchids for our outdoor dining room. Well, every time I look at them, I think we are in Hawaii. And that’s a good thing! So bottom line, don’t be afraid to decorate your outdoor spaces with real plants.
Serving Tables
Extra tables are a must when dining outdoors. This table is not intended for outdoors, but we have pretty dry summers, so I feel it will do ok. This retro-looking rattan bar cart is on wheels so we can move it around the room. We love that it holds glasses and drinks and has doubles shelves.
Surrounding Plants
I wish my brother, and I captured all the plants surrounding this space. On one side, there is a canopy of jasmine another side has a pink azalea. And finally, the fourth side has blooming hydrangeas. The flowers create a living wall that is so wonderful. If you are interested in propagating hydrangeas, check out this post on how to start a hydrangea.
Outdoor Rugs
I’m a bit obsessed with this rug. We own two of them and I have one outdoors and one in the house and one under the patio. This buffalo check design rug adds such a warmth to a room.
Blanket Holder
When we have cool nights but still want to sit outside, we have a collection of blankets. I took this old ladder and repurposed it into this place to store throws. I wish I could say that I came up with this idea, but a cute cafe in our town is where I got the idea. They have the best antique throws on their ladders.
By the way, if you have a pool it can be a towel holder.
Well, my whole family loves our new space. And I love that I could share my small outdoor patio ideas with you today!
Create and transform your yard into an outdoor oasis and extend your house beyond your walls. Enjoy your cozy outdoor space with your family and friends.
Happy Summer to you and your family!
This week I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends for the Summer Seasonal Simplicity Series: Outdoor Spaces Tours! Be sure to check out all of the beautiful inspiration by visiting the links under the images below.
Sharing Wednesday….
The Happy Housie // Joanna Anastasia // Cassie Bustamante // The Tattered Pew
Life is Better At Home // Tatertots and Jello // Finding Silver Pennies // Lemon Thistle
A Pretty Life // Dans le Lakehouse // Clean & Scentsible // Willow Street Interiors
Sharing Tuesday…
Inspiration for Moms // She Gave it a Go // Grace in My Space // Deeply Southern Home
Life is a Party // Nina Hendrick // Happy Happy Nester // Craftberry Bush
Maison de Cinq // Hallstrom Home // House by Hoff // My Sweet Savannah
- 4th of July Wreaths - May 28, 2025
- My Favorite Flower Inspiration - May 24, 2025
- Outdoor Oval Rugs and More - May 21, 2025
jennifer hadfield
What a magical space, Janine! I love your lanterns and that’s such a pretty bar cart. I pinned your yard to my outdoor board to share!
xoxo
Krista
It looks fabulous, Janine! I love those lanterns! Such a beautiful, cozy space to enjoy summer evenings.