40 Patio Décor Ideas for a Peaceful, Relaxing Space

Create an inviting, peaceful atmosphere using these patio décor ideas. You’ll find adding light, textiles, plants, water or fire, and privacy to be easier than you think!

Related: Makeover Ideas for a Concrete Patio  –  25 DIY Backyard Games  –  DIY Outdoor Furniture and Decor

40 Relaxing Patio Decor Ideas

Create an inviting area in which to entertain guests, relax with the family and enjoy the season! Add to the atmosphere of your outdoor area with a few main elements:

• Lighting for romance and softness
• Textiles to appeal to the senses and for comfort
• Water or fire to create interest and a fun mood
• Plants and flowers for color and a pleasant, clean aroma.
• Flooring for warmth and a finished feel
• Privacy Screens for feelings of intimacy and solitude

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Patio Décor Ideas: Lighting

This “chandelier” of lanterns hanging from a ladder is super unique and eye-catching.  | Duke Manor Farm

You can find amazing lanterns online at West Elm, Pottery Barn, Wayfair, World Market, and Target.

Similarly, this lighting project makes use of mismatched lanterns, ropes, pulleys, and hooks hanging from a pergola. | Serendipity Refined

Need a pergola? Check out 20+ Pergolas to Buy or Build

This candle chandelier uses remote control electric candles for beautiful lighting at the click of a button. | The Created Home on Remodelaholic

Add a canopy of lights over your patio by following this simple how-to.  | Studio Gray House

Find the perfect lights for your patio: 25 Outdoor String Lights

If you’re stringing up some lights around a deck or patio, make them pop by adding ping pong balls over each bulb! |Advanced Mischief on Instructables

Another simple patio decor idea: cover string light bulbs with rattan balls from a dollar store.  | Crafty Butt

Use extra building materials to create a simple candle holder!  | Service Central

 If you like the idea of tiki torches for patio décor, but are looking for something with a little more interest, try these wine bottle torches. | Design Sponge

These mason jar citronella “torches” are also unique and add romance, with the added bonus of warding off pests! | Marty’s Musings

Or make hanging lanterns with mason jars, tea lights and a bit of chain. | Home Depot (article no longer available)

You can get mason jar lids with the chain attached from Michaels.

Attach mason jar candles to a fence panel or pallet wood with pipe hangers.  For a beach-y look, add sand and shells to the jars. | DIY Ready

You can create some custom solar powered lights for your patio with mason jars and glass marbles or stones from the dollar store.  | My Turn for Us

And while you’re at it, make a few solar powered lamps for your seating area as well! | Houzz

You could even DIY a solar powered chandelier for your outdoor space! | Home Jelly

And if you really like solar powered lights, you can find several different DIY ideas here!  From lanterns and table lamps to wall lights and street lamp posts – there are lots of charming ideas. | Redo It Yourself Inspirations

Patio Décor Ideas: Textiles

Sew some pillows for your patio furniture on the cheap by using an outdoor tablecloth.  One piece of fabric equals several outdoor pillows! | Two It Yourself

If you already have pillows that just need a little updating, try our tutorial for spray painting pillows!

Line your pergola or canopy with fresh, crisp curtains that not only add that needed softness but also drape down for privacy. | Everyday Expressions from Kanda

You can add texture, romance, softness AND shade with fabric!  Here, drop cloths were cut into wide strips and woven among the upper beams of a pergola to create a sailcloth effect. | Anything Pretty

 

Patio Décor Ideas: Water and Fire Features

You can easily create a small fire feature with a terra cotta bowl and sterno burners.  This tabletop fire bowl couldn’t be easier to make, and creates a lovely blue flame. | Today’s Creative Life

Using a sleek and slender flowerpot with a sterno burner and rocks can turn a decorative flame into a tiny fire pit!  Roast s’mores while enjoying the atmosphere. | The Blue Eyed Dove (blog no longer available)

Or, make a larger fire pit with gel fuel and flame-safe rocks by creating a poured concrete bowl as a base.  Make several modern concrete fire pits and place them around the perimeter of your deck or patio for a fun atmosphere! | Man Made DIY

Create a serene waterscape using the same type of concrete base and a water filter. | BJL Aquascapes (website no longer available)

An elegant bamboo water feature creates ambience with the relaxing sound of trickling water.  Plus, it’s cute and small enough to fit on your table! | SAF Affect

With some clay pots from your local garden center, you can make a bubbling fountain for your outdoor space. | Flying Kitten

Patio Décor Ideas: Plants and Flowers

Hang these cascading bud vases on fence or pergola posts for an exciting pop of color. | Snaps of Ginger

Build a (large!) monogram planter to hold lots of color. Many letters available! | Remodelaholic

A sand and flower centerpiece on your patio table is a simple yet classy addition to your space.  Change out the flower as your garden blooms throughout the seasons. | Something Turquoise

Pomanders are balls of blooms that are hung not only for their attractiveness but also for the fresh and pleasing aroma they provide.  These flower balls were made with silk flowers, but you could easily make similar balls with fresh flowers as well. | eHow

Hang multiple floral pomanders from your canopy or pergola, string them up between fence posts, dangle them from tree branches or hang one as a centerpiece above your table.

A cluster of macramé hanging jars with buds in your favorite colors will complement your outdoor space and add more texture with the natural twine element. | Hopeful Honey

Try out this easiest hanging planter ever for a quick DIY hanging plant. | Shark Tails on Remodelaholic

Build this planter with just one board! Create several of different heights for variation and interest. | Lemon Thistle on Remodelaholic

Also helpful: How to Create Beautiful Outdoor Planters

Make these concrete geometric planters and stack them any way you like! A Touch of Rainbow on Remodelaholic

Patio Décor Ideas: Flooring

Update your concrete patio with paint. You’ll be amazed at the finished result! | Remodelaholic

 

If you want to add a ton of interest, you can score lines into your “flooring” with a circular saw and paint it.  The effect is nothing short of amazing. | The Handmade Home

You can also use a concrete stain to create the look of tile.  Your patio will look like an entirely new space with this makeover. | Beneath My Heart

If you’re just plain sick of the concrete, you can cover it with brick pavers.  There are endless colors available and you can create any design imaginable.  It’s a clever way to personalize and dress up your space. | Family Handyman

Or, if you like the warmth and texture of wood, but don’t want to shell out for decking, cover the concrete with pallet wood!  You can make a variety of patterns with the pallet wood slats – herringbone or parquet for instance. | Redo Redux

Outdoor rugs create dimensions and texture.  They can also be pricey.  Save some cash by buying a plain rug and stenciling your own pattern.  The bonus is that you can pick the exact colors to match your space! | Hunted Interior

You can easily paint diamonds on a wooden floor and give your deck, porch or sunroom that ‘wow’ factor. | Southern Hospitality

Patio Décor Ideas: Privacy Screens

Build a wall with wood slats (or cover an existing wall or chain link fence) with this tutorial. Add hanging pots for even more pop. | The Garden Glove on Remodelaholic

And here’s another garden slat wall to hide away eyesores, or hide YOURSELF away!  It’s an afternoon project and you can use reclaimed wood as well. | Taryn Whiteaker

A hanging patio screen can be ideal when covering sight-lines from above.  Hang some framed trellis pieces for privacy that still feels light and airy. | Organized Chaos Online

Go extra frugal and create a cabana-like feel with drop-cloth curtains all around your pergola or patio!  Tie them up when entertaining a crowd and they add an ideal softness and layering effect.  Let them drape and it’s your own private island getaway right in your backyard! | Fancy Frugal Life

Putting It All Together

Here are some excellent tips and ideas for making your very own dreamy oasis in your backyard. | Remodelaholic

This outdoor space combines it all! | Green Wedding Shoes

This small cottage has a tiny outdoor space that’s big on style.   | Refinery 29

Get tons of ideas for creating the perfect atmosphere on a budget.  | Remodelaholic

More ideas for your outdoor spaces:

• Outdoor DIY Light Idea
• Front Porch Decorating Ideas
• 20 Backyard Lighting Ideas
• Creative Patios and Pergolas
• 30+ Fun Outdoor Games

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Originally published 9/7/16 — Updated 5/21/2021