How To Arrange Patio Furniture
Your patio often serves as an extension of your living space, whether as an area to dine, relax, or entertain. How you arrange patio furniture influences the space’s function and overall aesthetic appeal. A thoughtful design can elevate your backyard retreat, whether you have a spacious outdoor area or a small, unassuming pad.
Consider the size and shape of your patio when planning your furniture layout. Choose a design that suits your lifestyle and center the furniture around a focal point. Make sure to leave enough space around and in between furniture for good flow. Aim for a balance between pieces and a comfortable blend of form and function.
You don’t need to undergo a massive backyard renovation to significantly impact your outdoor living space. A few thoughtful, simple design choices can elevate your patio and improve your home’s overall appeal. Knowing how to arrange your patio furniture is an excellent place to start.
8 Clever Tips To Arrange Patio Furniture Like A Pro
Are you ready to create a patio you can be proud of and enjoy with friends and family? These 8 tips will help you arrange patio furniture like a pro and make your outdoor oasis shine.
1. Work With Your Space
The first step in any design project is to work with the space you have. Don’t force your patio to be something it can’t accommodate. Consider the current placement of permanent fixtures, including doors, windows, posts, etc.
Plan your layout on paper first, measuring carefully to understand exactly how much room is available. Avoid blocking doorways, and think about how your space will look from the outside and the inside.
2. Choose Furniture That Fits Your Lifestyle
Before running out and buying the hottest new patio furniture (or grabbing whatever happens to be on sale), ask yourself a few questions. How do you plan to use your patio? What do you spend the most time doing when you’re outside?
Do you enjoy lounging and reading a book? Is your patio your go-to place for conversing and sipping wine with friends? Do you host outdoor dinner parties frequently? Depending on your answer, you might prefer a sofa and chair set or find that a dining set is a better fit.
3. Plan Around A Focal Point
Once you know how you plan to use your patio, decide on a focal point to anchor your design. You might have an outdoor fireplace that you want to draw attention to. Or, if you plan to host sports-viewing parties, maybe you have a flatscreen mounted on a patio wall.
If your backyard has a beautiful view or garden area, that’s an excellent focal point for a patio that serves as a peaceful retreat. No matter what you choose, only select one focal point. Trying to cram too many main attractions into one space confuses the eye, and you don’t know where to look.
4. Consider Balance And Flow
As you position furniture, adjust pieces to create a sense of balance. For example, balance a loveseat with two chairs across from it. If you have a large plant on one side of the patio, place another on the opposite side. Alternatively, choose something that has a similar height to balance things out.
It’s also important to leave enough space between and around the furniture for people to move. A good rule of thumb is to allow about 30” to 48″ around the perimeter of the furniture for high-traffic areas.
If you don’t plan to host many people at once, 24 inches is workable. Leave between 18 and 20 inches minimum between furniture pieces to allow for proper maneuvering. If you get too much smaller, things tend to get a bit tight and awkward.
5. Put Longer Pieces On The Longest Wall
One easy rule to remember when placing patio furniture is to put long items against the longest wall. For example, if you’re using an outdoor sofa, position it against the widest exterior wall. The same rule applies to a rectangular dining table.
This does not mean you must place these items right against the wall. If your patio is large enough to float furniture closer to the center, simply place longer items parallel to the longest wall.
6. Add Homey Touches
Make your patio furniture shine by incorporating various accessories throughout the space to create a more of a room feel. Add a few homey touches, including a vase of flowers, outdoor-friendly artwork on the exterior walls, and lamps.
Lighting is an important part of any design, and your patio is no exception. Hang some LED lights for ambient lighting, and provide task lighting if you plan to cook at night or read a book.
7. Embrace Form And Function
You want your patio to look good, but the goal of every smart and successful design is to be beautiful and function well. If you plan to use your patio for outdoor entertaining, incorporate adequate storage into the space for glassware, tableware, etc. If you love to snuggle up with a book on cool evenings, keep a few extra blankets in an outdoor ottoman.
8. Create Zones In Larger Spaces
When you’re working with a large space, divide it into separate zones to clearly define each area. For example, you might define a seating area using an outdoor rug. Separate it from the dining area with some carefully placed plants.
How To Arrange Furniture On A Small Patio
What if you have a small patio? How do you arrange patio furniture to make the most of your space?
1. Keep Furniture On The Patio’s Perimeter
If you have a small patio, concentrate your furniture on the perimeter instead of floating everything in the middle of the space. This placement will help you maximize your available space.
2. Choose Smaller Scale Furniture
Look for furniture with a more streamlined appearance and smaller scale instead of oversized, bulky pieces. Also, don’t try to cram too many pieces into the space.
3. Don’t Forget About Vertical Space For Lighting And Decor
Just because you’re working with a small space doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add accessories. Instead of filling up every surface with decor, utilize your vertical space. Bring artwork onto the walls, hang ambient lighting from the ceiling, etc.
4. Make The View Your Focal Point
Instead of squeezing in another item to become your focal point, make your yard the focus. If you don’t have a lot of landscaping, create a pleasant view in your yard and situate your furniture to face it. For example, erect a pretty arbor or lattice wall covered in flowers or set up a fountain surrounded by greenery.
Is It Okay To Mix And Match Patio Furniture?
Absolutely. In fact, curating pieces from various collections, finding a unique item in an antique market, or creating DIY artwork makes your space personal.
Staging Furniture For The Perfect Patio
Creating the perfect patio doesn’t have to be an overwhelming project. Taking the time to arrange patio furniture in a way that makes sense for your lifestyle is essential. Work with the space you have, and aim for form and function so your outdoor space is comfortable and practical.
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Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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