Update Your Aluminum Patio Covers With Some Handy Decor Tweaks

Having an inviting patio is the key to expanding your living space to gather with family and friends, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. An aluminum patio cover makes it even more enjoyable and is an inexpensive way to shade your backyard. Though there are many colors and styles available and it may not be a shiny silver, with the industrial material taking up such a large visual area, aluminum can make your patio look more cold and utilitarian than inviting. Soften its look by tweaking your decor with touches of warmth using curtains, plants, and lighting.

Hanging curtains will soften the space with textiles. Look for durable, waterproof ones that will withstand various weather conditions. Curtains have a practical purpose, as well, by enhancing the privacy of your patio and creating a more intimate space. If the flowy variety isn't your style, bamboo roll-up shades serve the same purpose and add a natural touch for a more biophilic vibe. Go a step further by layering more textiles to the area using an outdoor rug, wicker furniture, and plush pillows.

Another way to tweak your decor to soften the aluminum of your patio cover is to bring a natural aesthetic with plants. Fill baskets with trailing plants and hang them from your patio cover. Ferns add lush greenery and flowers like fuchsia make the space more colorful with bright blooms that could even attract hummingbirds. If you prefer vining plants, set up a trellis to encourage them to crawl up and along your patio's frame. Depending on the plants you choose, it'll cultivate a look that's anything from biophilic to boho to romantic.

Don't just enjoy the curtains and plants of your patio during the day; light up the patio at night, too. Lights can do a lot more than just illuminate an area. The right lighting sets a mood for your space, which goes a long way toward softening the aluminum of your patio cover. String outdoor bistro lights, like these dimmable ones from Amazon for $38, with soft bulbs for an intimate, cozy vibe. Or, install multicolor LED stip lights, like these from Amazon for $50, that can change colors or sync to music with the click of a remote. 

These decor tweaks are customizable for just about any design trend. No matter the look you want to achieve with your patio, aluminum is an versatile choice for your patio cover. And, by adding curtains, plants, and lighting, you can update it from a stark overhead necessity to an inviting feature that helps create a warm space to relax and entertain.