If you’re seeking inspiration to spruce up your small patio or balcony space, we have some fabulous design tips to help you get started. During the warm summer months, we tend to spend a lot more time outside, so it’s time to design or re-design your veranda to create a cozy ambiance that will encourage you to spend more time in the great outdoors. Try to make the most of your space without spending a lot of money or time by using plants and accessories to your outdoor space. From re-arranging furnishings to increasing your small space with the use of a mirror to even adding an outdoor area rug, these practical tips should help to spark your creative juices. Be sure to let us know which outdoor patio was your favorite!

In case you missed it, we posted an article last week with an incredible collection of inspiring outdoor room design ideas, be sure to have a look here.

Add plantings

Fresh, vibrant plants can transform the look and feel of your patio, so any investment you make here is well worth your while. Give existing plantings a little TLC, remove dead leaves and spent blooms, and water well. If you have empty pots to fill, make a trip to the garden center and choose new plants. Be sure to select healthy plants that are suited to the light levels of your patio — and don’t hesitate to ask for advice if you need it.

Add a small, charming note

Sometimes, especially on a small patio, all you need is one just-right accent to make the whole space come to life. A potted lavender plant (or any other outdoor plant with colorful flowers) on a small side table may be all you need for that extra burst of color.

Add plump pillows

Fresh throw pillows can freshen up the look of a space in an instant. Outdoor fabrics are best, because they are designed to resist sun bleaching and mildew. If you can’t resist using indoor pillows on your patio, simply keep a storage bench in a protected spot at hand to throw them into, and they should last outdoors for a long time.

Define the border

Edging your patio area with plants can help your space feel more inviting and intimate. Planters filled with shrubbery make an excellent border. In a patio that is open to a larger yard, they can stand in as a fence alternative, but even in a small space, they can soften the fence line.

Choose a color scheme

Sticking to two or three colors throughout the space will help your patio look polished and put-together.

Use an indoor-outdoor rug

An outdoor seating area instantly becomes cozier and more welcoming with the addition of a rug. For a dining area, the rug should be large enough to fit beneath the chairs when they are pulled out slightly. For a couch seating area, the rug can fit either under all of the furniture or just beneath the coffee table and reach to the front feet of the furniture.

Add a freestanding umbrella

On an uncovered patio, an umbrella is a must. The freestanding type gives you much more flexibility to place it where it is needed, and will work with any table or chairs.

Create a focal point

Think about what you use your patio for, and what you would like to use it for in the future. Is the furniture arranged in a way that makes sense for your needs? Just as in your living room, it usually looks best to pull the furniture away from the walls. Experiment with different arrangements until it feels right.

Make a fresh start

Giving your patio a top-to-bottom spring cleaning can do wonders. Sweep away leaves and other debris, clean patio furniture, wash exterior windows and hose down the floor. Throw away any junk that has accumulated in the area.

Soften corners with plants

Sharply angled corners are not only a challenge to decorate, but if left empty they can make a space feel cramped and uncomfortable. Fill in tight corners with potted plants to soften the angles — tall plants and topiaries work especially well.

Think about the style and mood you wish to create

Sleek, modern and cheerful? Moody, lush and eclectic? Try to nail down the look and feel you want in a few words, and use them to help you make decisions when you are out shopping.

Hang a mirror

Hanging a mirror on an exterior wall or fence is a great way to create a feeling of spaciousness on a small patio. Choose a mirror frame that can stand up to the elements, and hang it in a covered area.

Photo Sources: 1.-12. Alvhem Makleri Interior, 13. Ana Williamson Architect, 14. Anders Johansson, 15. Anthony Brancato Landscape, 16. apartment f15, 17. Bf Konsult, 18. & 19. Busybee Design, 20. Chioco Design, 21. Designscapes Colorado, 22. ESNY, 23. & 24. Fantastic Frank, 25. & 26. Fastighetsmäklarna, 27. Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture, 28. Katie Leede & Company, 29. Kirkpatrick Design, 30. Magnusson Mäkleri, 31. & 32. Molly Wood Garden Design, 33. My Romantic Home, 34. Notting Hill Gardens, 35. Outhouse Design, 36. Rugo Raff Architects, 37. -39. Stadshem, 40. Stone Acorn Builders, 41. Svensk Fastighetsförmedling, 42. Tomaro Design Group, 43. Victor Myers Custom Homes, 44. Vidabelo Interior Design, 45. Wanda Ely Architect, 46. Wrede, 47. Bethany Nauert