The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Decorate by Number: The Stylish Patio

Stylish patio inspiration on a budget

With my "Decorate by Number" series, getting the looks of the pristine interiors that grace your favorite decor magazines is as easy as 1, 2, 3! This week, I’m recreating a welcoming patio space with furniture and accessories from Cost Plus, Target, JCPenney and more. For more home décor inspiration, visit my blog, A Vintage Splendor.

As soon as May 1st hits, I start prepping for the summer season ahead, whether it’s collecting recipe and cocktail ideas or buying décor pieces that add fun bursts of color inside the house and the patio. Albeit I live in Los Angeles and it is 75 degrees year-round, the summers in Los Angeles are the perfect time to host dinner parties on the patio and get lost in a book on a comfortable chaise lounge. Other than try and soak in every minute of relaxation we can (it’s all about the small luxuries, right?), we love to spend time on our patio and deck since we’ve made them an extension of our home. My husband and I almost exclusively eat dinner on our patio and drink our morning coffee on our lounge furniture during the summer months.

Creating a welcoming and chic outdoor space take a bit of planning, but is quite simple to achieve. I love this inspired space as the layered pillows create a luxurious feel without it feeling too uninviting. Dark wicker is always a safe and beautiful choice as it is a traditional, yet contemporary material that can help you create a look a la Pottery Barn or West Elm without the price tag. It’s also a very durable material that can last you for several years. This settee option from Cost Plus does the trick! Although the white cushions may require extra cleaning, the contrast between the dark wicker and white cushions gives that mix of traditional and contemporary that you can personalize.

Just by foregoing the out of the box option (plexiglass top coffee table), you’re creating a stylish space, plus the porcelain stools can double as additional seating when you don’t need table space. You can select two or three in the same hue to keep it simple, or mix in a variety of colors for an eclectic feel. The most important component of this space, and my favorite, are the layers and textures of the pillows. If you already have lounge furniture that needs a facelift, don’t break the bank to buy new furniture. I’ve found five fabulous pillows that can be layered and give your existing furniture a whole new life for under $80. If you’re generally afraid to mix too many colors and patterns, summer is the time to give it a try.

Finally, if you have an aversion to melamine like me, find durable ceramic bowls that add that dose of color to your décor, but also serve a functional purpose in serving snacks. I have these bowls from Target and have been using them inside and outside.

Styling a patio on a budget


1. Wicker Settee, $245
2. Wood Umbrella, $49
3. Punched Drum Stool, $60
4. Patterned Bowls (set of 5), $20
5. Seagrass Rug, $60
6. Faux Succulents in Planter, $15
7. Polywood Side Table, $96
8. Trellis Pillow, $17
9. Chartreuse Pillow, $17
10. Scallop Pillow (set of 2), $17
11. Teal Pillow, $17
12. Lattice Pillow, $12

Inspiration photo credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Comments
I absolutely love the mix of textures and fabrics...and the price point, of course! Great job!
#1 Kayla (Homepage) on 2014-05-09 23:59 (Reply)
Thanks Kayla. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. My favorite is the mix of textures & fabrics too. xx
#1.1 Annette (Homepage) on 2014-05-11 21:11 (Reply)
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