11 Patio Design Ideas For A Relaxing Space 

Now that the days are getting longer and the weather is warming up, you’ll soon be spending more time outdoors. Whether you have a small backyard or a large patio, adding an outdoor space to your home will give you a wonderful new place to spend time with family and friends. 

Creating the perfect backyard space is not as challenging as you might think. You don’t need to hire an expensive designer or landscape architect; instead, there are plenty of simple tricks you can use to transform your outdoor space into the happiest place on Earth.

 From DIY projects to affordable purchases, there are lots of budget-friendly ways to improve your backyard without breaking the bank. Check out these 11 simple patio design ideas that will make your backyard more fun.

1. Add colour with potted plants

Potted plants are an inexpensive way to add colour to your patio space. You can also use them to create privacy by planting climbing vines on fences, arbors, and pergolas. 

Some great plants to consider include flowering vines, like Wisteria, which are easy to care for and produce pretty flowers, as well as flowering cherry trees, which produce beautiful pink and white blossoms. 

You can also decorate your patio and create privacy with tall, decorative grasses, like bamboo, or colourful shorter plants, like petunias and impatiens. You can also use potted plants to bring some greenery indoors during the colder months or have them on hand for last-minute gift giving. They can also be used as decorative items for your patio or deck, either as standalone pieces or incorporated into larger, more creative designs.

2. Go vertical with a garden wall

If you love the idea of a garden wall but don’t have the space for one, a garden wall with a vertical design might be the perfect solution. 

Garden walls are generally built from stone, brick, or stacked cedar planks, but they don’t have to be. You can create a unique, vertical garden wall using any materials you like, including reclaimed barn boards, cinder blocks, or even reclaimed shipping pallets. 

A vertical garden wall is a great way to add colour and texture to your patio while also adding privacy. You can also incorporate a herb garden or vertical lettuce-growing system into your wall to add functionality. 

Garden walls are relatively easy to construct. You can hire a contractor or choose to DIY by purchasing materials from a local hardware store. If you do plan to DIY, make sure you research any building codes in your area before you begin construction.

3. Add some comfort

Adding comfort to your patio doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. A few simple additions, like outdoor furniture and rugs, can go a long way. If you have a relatively small patio, you can also add seating space by adding a couple of armchairs. If your patio is large enough to accommodate a couple of sofas, you can also create a more social atmosphere by adding a large couch. 

Another simple way to add comfort to your patio is with area rugs. Outdoor rugs are a great way to add some colour and warmth to an outdoor space, as well as protect your patio flooring. Rugs are also easy to clean and store when not in use. 

By adding a few simple pieces of outdoor furniture, like a couple of armchairs, you can transform your patio into a more social space, perfect for hosting small gatherings. If you want to create a more formal setting, you can also add a small rug or runner to define an outdoor dining space.

4. Install a fire pit

If you live in a place with warm weather, a fire pit is a great addition to your patio. You can use it to warm yourself on cool evenings and enjoy a bit of extra ambience and comfort. 

Fire pits are available in a wide range of styles and materials and can be designed to fit your existing patio design. You can also add a small wooden seating area around the fire feature to make it more social. 

Fire pits are relatively easy to install and will make your backyard a much cosier place to spend time. If you add a fire pit to your patio, be sure to follow any local rules or regulations regarding outdoor fires. Some councils have strict rules about outdoor fires, especially during certain times of the year. Be sure to check your local regulations before building a fire feature.

5. Install a shade canopy

If you live in a warm climate or have a patio that receives a lot of direct sunlight, a shade canopy is a great addition to your patio. A canopy can help reduce glare and provide a more comfortable outdoor space. 

You can choose from many different styles. You can even find canopies with built-in lighting, perfect for hosting during the evening hours. 

A shade canopy is relatively easy to install and can be used to shade a variety of patio spaces, including a small area next to your house, a backyard deck, or even a larger, open patio. If you plan to install a canopy on your patio, be sure to check your local building codes before starting the project. 

You may also want to consider adding a shade cloth to your patio. Shade cloth is an easy-to-install covering that creates a shaded area without any posts or walls. Shade cloths are also great for covering an area beside your house, such as a side yard, where you may not want to install a full canopy.

6. Lighten up with white paint

If you want to create a brighter, more modern look on your patio, consider painting the space white. A white-painted patio is a bright, airy space that’s perfect for hosting. If the rest of your backyard is painted in neutral tones, painting just the patio white will create visual contrast, turning your backyard into a beautiful, modern space. 

A white-painted patio is easy to clean, making it the perfect space for hosting parties and get-togethers. If you’re not sure how to paint a patio, a DIY painting project might seem like a big task. Painting your patio doesn’t have to be difficult, though. You can hire a contractor to paint your patio or do the work yourself if you have the appropriate equipment.

7. Create a cosy reading nook

If you love to read, you can create a special reading nook on your patio. A reading nook can be as simple as a small bench or chair near a plant and a small table. You can also add some flowers and plants to the nook to create a beautiful little reading space. 

Alternatively, you can create your reading nook more creatively by adding a hammock or creating a wall-mounted reading area. If you do create a wall-mounted reading area, you can also add shelving and storage spaces to the space to make it more functional. 

If you want to create a reading nook, you can use a variety of different materials, including wood, fabric, or even bamboo. You can also add some colourful throw pillows to the nook for added comfort. You can also add lighting to the nook for added ambience.

8. Add some throw pillows

Throws are the perfect way to add some extra style to your patio space, while also providing comfort when you are lounging or relaxing outdoors. Combining different materials such as woven fabrics, velvet, or wool with a variety of colours and patterns will help to create your unique look, while also being easy to clean.

If you’re looking to add pops of colour to your outdoor space, throw pillows are an easy way to give your patio an instant makeover.

Throw pillows are also a great way to add extra comfort to outdoor furniture, especially if you have outdoor chairs made of a harder material. Pillows are the easiest way to add comfort to any patio furniture.

9. Add some storage with an outdoor shelf or bench

A patio storage bench or outdoor shelf is a great way to add extra storage space to your patio. Not only do they provide extra storage, but they also add extra seating and can be used to display decorative items like books, plants, or pottery.

You can build a simple outdoor shelf by attaching a board to the wall with some hooks. If you’re looking for an outdoor storage bench, you can find a wide variety of styles and colours at most home stores. There are many different materials you can choose from, such as wood, metal, or synthetic materials like resin or vinyl.

Using a bench or an outdoor shelf is a great way to add extra storage space to your patio. You can keep your gardening tools, patio or lawn furniture, or even your groceries out of the sun while they’re waiting to be put away inside.

10. Put in some lights and speakers

If your patio has limited natural light, you can easily add some extra light sources with solar-powered lights. Solar-powered lights are easy to install and can be placed pretty much anywhere on your patio, including on the walls, the ceiling, or even on the plants in your flowerpots. 

If you want to create a more relaxed mood, you can also consider adding some coloured lights to your patio. Coloured lights are easy to install and can add a fun, festive look to any outdoor space.

If you want to add some music to your patio, you can easily do so with a small Bluetooth-enabled speaker. While larger speakers are great for outdoor parties, a small portable speaker can provide background music for more intimate patio moments. 

11. A game table or lounge area

Especially if you have young children or teenagers, you might want to create an area where you can all sit together and play table games or enjoy other types of leisure activities. A table can easily double as a space for snacks, drinks, and other necessities when you have friends or family over. If you live near a park or have a decent-sized backyard, you might also want to consider creating a ping pong table. Ping pong is a great game that can be enjoyed by all ages, and it’s also a great way to get your family together and have some fun.