3 Ways to Style a Neutral Patio
After some unpredictable snowy weather this spring, we’ve had the most beautiful summer here in Colorado!
We cherish every nice day that we get, which means our neutral patio furniture sees lots of use in the warmer months. For that reason, we’ve chosen to invest in some durable, weatherproof materials and save on other more affordable items that we don’t mind swapping out when necessary.
It’s true that investing in high-quality patio furniture will give you the most longevity, but you certainly don’t need an outdoor space full of high-end furniture to get a luxe look. Here’s how you can make your patio beautiful and functional for summer, no matter your budget!
Neutral Patio Furniture Styling Tips For Any Budget
#1. Start big, not small. Whether your budget is big, small, or somewhere in between, I suggest that you start by choosing the largest items for your patio, like an outdoor rug, a sectional, and chairs if you have the space. These base pieces anchor your design, and they’re relatively permanent (not to mention they tend to be more costly!). Then from there, you can work your way back and fill in with decor that’s easier and more affordable to change.
#2. Accessorize with variety in mind. If you’re creating a neutral patio, you’re probably avoiding bold colors and bright prints. To keep your neutral patio decor dynamic, try mixing and matching shapes. I love to create visual interest with planters of various sizes and pillows with fun patterns. When it comes to pillow styling, try to combine large and small-scale prints for depth, but be sure to throw in some solids to prevent your design from looking too busy.
#3. Set the mood with lighting. Outdoor lights can completely change the atmosphere of your patio. Toss up string lighting or use solar LED lanterns for an intimate setting. If you have a covered deck, you could even get some fun solar-powered pendant lights to hang. Just make sure the lighting you choose is UL listed and approved for the outdoors (it’ll usually specify that it’s “damp rated”)!
#4. Don’t forget about storage. Protect light-colored furniture from exposure to the elements by incorporating some simple storage options. We have a lidded bench on our patio, which admittedly isn’t the prettiest piece of furniture out there, but we didn’t want to spend big on that piece. If you’re willing to dish out a bit more money, you can find some really cute storage options. We also found some sofa covers on Amazon that we use to cover-up our sectional (we bought two sofa covers to cover each of the sides of the L).
Styled Patio Furniture for 3 Different Price Points
Technically, summer is coming to an end, but patio season definitely isn’t over yet with all the warm weather we’ve been having. Now is the perfect time to snag some end-of-season deals on neutral patio furniture that you can continue to use over the next couple months!
Bargain Buys
Looking to keep a tight patio furniture budget? Check out online hardware retailers like Home Depot or Lowes for affordable, neutral pieces that are still on trend. You could also try Wayfair, Amazon, or even Lamps Plus! For decor, visit Home Goods or Tuesday Morning for fun, inexpensive items, like planters, throw pillows, blankets, and lanterns.
Here, I’ve put together a super affordable patio design entirely from Target!
Acacia Wood Patio Sofa | Armchair Set | Propane Fire Pit | Small Lantern | Large Lantern | Area Rug | Outdoor Throw Pillow Set (pictured in Sand) | Lumbar Pillow | Planter Set | Patterned Scalloped Umbrella
Mid-Price Products
Each budget range listed here is, of course, subjective. After all, a mid-price product for one person might be outrageously expensive for someone else. Generally speaking, though, I think World Market represents a good in-between price range, and they have tons of interesting neutral patio decor options.
If you need some mid-range outdoor furniture ideas, take a look at this boho-inspired patio styled with products from World Market.
High-End Finds
Typically, durable outdoor furniture costs a pretty penny. But if you want to keep your patio pieces for the long haul, the upfront cost is usually worth the spend. When you’re prepared to invest in your patio furniture, you might be eyeing super expensive stores like RH or Room & Board for quality furniture. However, if you’re looking for some options that are a bit more palatable, try Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, or even a local boutique store.
This neutral patio concept is designed exclusively from Pottery Barn’s outdoor line!
Torrey Wicker Sofa with Cushion Covers in Natural | Elmwood Propane Fire Pit | Outdoor Lumbar Pillow | Outdoor Throw Pillow Set | Maxwell Black Steel Lanterns | Kian Handwoven Rug in Khaki | Terra Cotta Planters | Lounge Chairs in Biscotti with Cushions in Natural | Premium Tilt Umbrella
Mix and Match Patio Furniture from All 3 Price Ranges
You may want (or need!) to keep your patio within a specific price point. But if you can swing it, there are lots of ways to get creative with your budget by picking and choosing just a couple mid-tier or high-end pieces. That’s what we chose to do for our patio!
Here, you can see that we selected one higher-end piece—the pottery barn table—then supplemented the design with all-weather wicker chairs from Home Depot (ours are the “Putty” upholstery, although I also would have loved the “Almond” upholstery, but it was sold out at the time I needed new chairs).
We also chose this high-end sofa (the Portofino Sling Sectional in Beige/Fennel) made by RST Brands, and the quality really shows—the cushions are perky and bounce back instead of squishing down after use. Conversely, these Safavieh rocking chairs from Wayfair were much more affordable.
Whether your patio budget is high, low, or somewhere in the middle, there are tons of items that can make your space feel like a million dollars. If you’re in the market for neutral patio decor pieces, keep an eye out for the Labor Day and end-of-season sales likely to continue popping up as summer turns to Fall. For more ideas and inspiration, tune in to Instagram to see how we decorate our outdoor oasis throughout the season!