Fun Ideas To Make Your Patio Feel More Like A Living Room

Patios make an ideal place to seek refuge and rejuvenation. Whether you're reading a good book, entertaining guests, or having a family movie night, your patio or deck can be transformed into the backyard oasis you've always dreamed of. With a few fun design tricks, you can make your existing outdoor space look and feel like a chic, stylish, and airy living room. And it doesn't have to cost a lot, either.

Extending your home outdoors offers many practical benefits, such as adding more square footage for your family and guests to enjoy. It also means you can reap the many healthy rewards of spending time outside. According to the journal Scientific Reports, just 120 minutes per week outdoors can be restorative to both physical and mental health. Making a functional outdoor space also encourages kids to get out of the house where they can enjoy these benefits also.

In order to make your patio space as comfortable and functional as possible, you may need to do a little shopping or repurposing of some existing items to revamp your space. The good news is that a patio transformation can be done on any budget.

For an outdoor living room feel, you can go big or just stick with the essentials. Style is a matter of personal taste, but some basics will help you get that homey look. Of course, choosing the perfect outdoor furniture is top priority. For a living room mood, modular furniture like sectionals are perfect, but any type of seating will work. Add additional furnishings such as side tables, colorful pillows, or poufs for elevated style and comfort.

To add color, texture, and an indoor feel, rugs or carpets can pull a space together quickly. However, there are a few things to know before adding a rug to your patio. Look for "outdoor" on the label. This means it's made from durable materials, often including plant fibers or plastic such as polypropylene or olefin. These weatherproof options dry easily and won't deteriorate in harsh sunlight. If your patio doesn't already have shade, you may need to assemble something to protect you and your furnishings from the elements. Some construction-free options include shade sails, pop-up gazebos, retractable awnings, or colorful patio umbrellas to keep you cool.

No patio is complete without enchanting lights for evening get-togethers. Whether you opt for string lights, outdoor lamps, candles, torches, lanterns, or all of the above, a variety of lighting will bring a festive ambiance to your patio. This is an area where you can get very creative; there are countless lighting ideas to brighten up your deck.

A few additional details to make your space even more homey could include an outdoor television (or projector and screen), mirrors, fire table, artwork, tapestries, potted plants, and decor that follows a theme or color scheme you've established for the space. Another option is hanging curtains for a homelike look that also adds a soft visual element. This is especially nice if your space has a lot of concrete, rock, or other hardscape materials. 

As you create your patio living space, remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. Spread the project out as your budget and creativity allow. There are many ways to spend less while still creating an idyllic space. One obvious way to save is by repurposing old household items you already have on hand. That growing donation pile might have just what you need. If you come up short, however, check out local garage sales, thrift stores, and the dollar store. An attractive space doesn't require all new or top-dollar items.

If you're even a little bit handy, there are many simple DIY options available for furnishings, lighting, and decor. Without any tools, you can make this patio paver side table for about $20. And for under $10 you can make a stunning hanging chandelier that's solar powered. You can even transform an old egg carton into a cheery floral piece. The key is to have fun while creating a patio oasis where you'll want to spend all your spare time.