Let's Design Your Patio! 3 Looks Under $3,000
Designing a budget-friendly outdoor space
Ever since I started winding down my e-design client projects in anticipation of our baby’s arrival, I’ve found myself seriously missing design work. I know I’ll be back to it this summer after maternity leave, but in the meantime, I’m getting creative with how I can scratch that itch - starting with today’s post! With the change of seasons, I’ve been dreaming of pretty patios and outdoor spaces, so I decided to design three budget-friendly options (all under $3,000!) in different styles - Coastal Boho, Scandinavian Eclectic, and Modern Mix. If you’re on the hunt for inspiration for how to design your outdoor space, I’ve got you covered!
Each design has the exact same items, just in completely different looks. These spaces are intended to be casual outdoor lounge areas with their loveseat and chairs, coffee table, and decorative accessories that create an inviting gathering spot. I wanted them to feel like extensions of indoor living areas as well - I find that when outdoor patios or porches have that look and feel, you’re more likely to spend time there! They’re also ready for hosting - I included a fun bar cart in each so you can be ready to mix up drinks or lay out appetizers for family and friends.
Let’s start with talking some details about the “coastal boho” outdoor patio design!
Coastal Boho Outdoor Patio
Sources:
Patio Conversation Set | Persian-Style Outdoor Rug | Blue Patio Umbrella | Outdoor Coffee Table | Outdoor Poufs | Blue Outdoor Pillow | Botanical Outdoor Lumbar Pillow | White Modern Outdoor Bar Cart | Terracotta Planters | Hanging Planters | White Garden Stools | Copper Barware
I love this look so much - it might be my favorite of the three. I like them all of course (I might be a little biased since I did design them!), but this one stole my heart the moment I finished it. Blues, whites, and natural wood will never grow old in my book.
After including this outdoor conversation set in my most recent “Look for Less” post, I decided I couldn’t not use it in one of these designs. It’s almost a dead ringer for a much more expensive set, and the blue cushions mixed with natural all-weather wicker are a gorgeous combination. The loveseat and chairs pair beautifully with that Persian-style outdoor rug and surround a fun concrete-look coffee table that adds great texture and functionality. To add extra seating or a place to prop your feet, I added two blue and white outdoor poufs. They can tuck away when they aren’t needed, so if you’re tight on space, these are a great option.
Let’s not forget the plants! What’s a great outdoor space without greenery? My love for plants is strong, so in all of these designs, I included a set of floor planters and hanging planters. The terracotta ones here are a little unexpected with their “carved” look and I’m digging the unique shapes of the hanging ones.
Lastly, I have to mention the white bar cart. I love how the style adds a modern edge to this patio design, but the wood surfaces keep it from feeling stark. It works well with the coastal boho feel!
Scandinavian Eclectic Outdoor Patio
Sources:
Modern Patio Loveseat | Modern Patio Chairs | Geometric Outdoor Rug | White Patio Umbrella | Outdoor Coffee Table | Outdoor Poufs | Blue Patterned Outdoor Pillow | Boho Outdoor Lumbar Pillow | Outdoor Bar Cart | Concrete Outdoor Planters | Modern Hanging Planters | All-Weather Wicker Outdoor Side Tables | Marbleized Glass Beverage Dispenser | Copper Pitcher
Next up - the Scandi Eclectic outdoor space! My love for blue is evident here again, but this time, I mixed it up with some green, gray, and black, and added in some serious texture. The simple lines of the modern outdoor loveseat and chairs definitely have that Scandinavian feel to them, and the geometric design of the rug, as well as the mid-century lines of the coffee table and bar cart work well with those.
The woven side tables, concrete textured planters, and a mix of pillows in a couple of different styles add to the eclectic side of things. The hanging planters are unique - I love that the three of them hang from a single bar. Wouldn’t it be cool to have several of these on a single wall? They’d make quite the statement!
Modern Mix Outdoor Patio
Sources:
Rope Edge Outdoor Loveseat | Rope Edge Outdoor Chairs | Modern Outdoor Rug | Black & White Patio Umbrella | Outdoor Coffee Table | Outdoor Poufs | Rust Outdoor Pillows | Striped Outdoor Lumbar Pillow | Modern Outdoor Bar Cart | Concrete Planters | Gold Hanging Planters | Ceramic Garden Stools | Acrylic Drink Dispenser
Finally, we’ve got the Modern Mix patio design. This one is probably the most outside of my comfort zone in terms of color and style combos, but I love having the opportunity to stretch myself creatively. I chose a lot of warm colors as accents to the blacks, grays, and whites, and then made sure to include some wood tones to warm things up too.
The loveseat and chairs are definitely eye-catching - the rope weave on the arms and back is super cool, and gives them a high end look that feels more expensive than they are. I wanted to make sure they were one of the major focal points, so I chose a more neutral rug for this design. It has plenty going on, but doesn’t feel like it’s too in-your-face to compete with some of the “louder” pieces.
The pops of color come in the form of the accent pillows and poufs. Oranges and yellows are the standouts for sure, which feels so fun in an outdoor space, don’t you think? You can’t go wrong with those happy colors!
I kept things a little simpler with the floor and hanging planters, but they’re far from boring. The ceramic floor planters have some subtle texture and detailing on them that I really liked. I’ve seen those in person too and they’re great. They’d fit in just about anywhere with any style. The hanging planters have a simple shape, but the gold metallic finish is what makes them special. I’d love to add a couple of those to my home.
