Budget-Friendly Decor That Adds The Perfect Finishing Touch To A Backyard Patio

Whether you've just built a patio DIY style, moved into a new place with a patio, or are looking to save money and upgrade your patio, welcome and congratulations! Patios are an amazing way to add value to your home and provide a comfortable outdoor living space. On the downside, however, furnishing patios to become a comfortable, functional space can be wildly expensive. Most durable patio furniture is very pricey because the items need to be made out of sturdy, quality, weatherproof materials so they don't just blow away or fade after a few sunny days.

By the time you've run the numbers on a few basic furniture pieces like a table and chairs, your wallet may be tapped. Sadly, this means less money for decorations, which can often elevate the space from a couch on concrete to an outdoor oasis. To help, we searched for some of the best budget-friendly patio decorating ideas so you can have the patio of your dreams. A variety of cozy candle lighting options, ideas on how to incorporate natural plants, and tips on strategically layering fabrics will help you put the finishing touches on the space without running up your credit card bill.  

Candles are one of the best ways to up the aesthetic value of your patio, and while there are of course insanely expensive candles out there, they can be super affordable as well. Unscented, white pillar candles and tea lights can be purchased in bulk, with larger candles of course lasting larger and small tea lights only having a few hours of burn time. For those who hate buying decorations just to see them melt away, try using realistic flameless candles instead — Mainstays Pillar Candle costs under $4 at Walmart. These are a great choice if you have little ones or pets around, as they won't cause burns but look just as lovely as real options. You can always try your hand at making your own candles as well by pouring melted wax in either a silicone mold or reusing an upcycled candle jar. 

Dress pillar candles up by putting them in decorative lanterns and placing them around the floor of the patio to provide warm, ambient lighting throughout the space. This will keep you from having to rely on any bright, built-in patio lights, making the area feel much cozier at night. A cluster of candles in the center of an outdoor dining table or coffee table can also be an elegant focal point. And, if you're often swarmed by mosquitos on your patio, try using citronella candles to keep them at bay — two could be purchased on Amazon for $10.

Look at any home decor on a budget guide and you'll almost always see one thing come up over and over again; adding as many plants as you can, and the patio is no exception. Not only is it quite affordable to add potted plants to the patio, but plants add an organic, relaxing vibe to any space. Because patios are surrounded by nature, some neglect to add potted plants to the patio area, which can leave it feeling a bit out of place and uninviting. Something as simple as a small Mason jar herb garden or a low-maintenance cactus plant can go a long way to making the patio area feel complete. 

To keep this budget-friendly, don't go to a specialty plant store, which tend to carry pricey plants like monsteras and palms, as well as expensive plant accessories and tools. Instead, stick to affordable, low-maintenance plants that don't require fertilizer and that will last a long time so you don't need to repurchase them later on. Of course, because of this, perennials are better options than annuals. Plant them in garden boxes and planters or along the perimeter of the patio. Keep an eye out for unique planter pots at big box stores and grocery stores and try to buy them on discount. You can also make cheap planters look expensive with simple DIY makeovers for additional low-cost decor. 

Layering plenty of fabrics makes a patio space look cozy and lush, so try to incorporate fabric into your design wherever possible. There are some very affordable ways to do this. Area rugs for indoor areas can be extremely expensive, but outdoor area rugs and mats can be found for super cheap prices at big box stores or from online retailers. For instance, you could purchase the 8 by 10 foot Jonathan Y Colonia Berber Stripe Area Rug from Amazon for about $110. But if these large rugs are out of your price range, you can absolutely layer smaller rugs over each other instead, as seen in the above image. As long as you choose complementary colors and patterns, this will add a bohemian, eclectic charm. 

When it comes to items like throw pillows, do not be tricked into buying a bunch of expensive outdoor cushions you'll have to store somewhere during the winter months. Instead, just look for outdoor pillow covers with zippers and throw those over cushions you already own. You could also repurpose old plastic bags with this clever patio pillow hack, which stuffs them inside an outdoor pillow cover. Not only are these ideas far less expensive, but they also make washing them much easier after spills and rain storms. Pillows will add a level of comfort to patio furniture, which is ideal if you're using plastic, metal, or wooden pieces.