Patio Decor for Entertaining

Check out our patio decor for entertaining where you and your guests can feel cozy and comfortable. Get tips for decorating outside for your summer entertaining all the way into fall. 

Our outdoor space just got a makeover and I’m so excited to share it with you. After two years in our new home we finally have our deck and patio complete, which means it’s time for fall patio decor!

I’ve been anticipating having this outdoor space for so long, and I love how it turned out. We designed it ourselves, which can be daunting. You never know if you’re making the right choices until it’s all complete and you’ve just spent $$$.

I was very nervous and stressed out during each phase {paver patio, knee wall, small deck, and stain color} but luckily it all turned out even better than expected. There’s going to be lots of lounging, entertaining, and photo shoots happening here!

Patio Decorating Tips

Just in time for fall, I set up the space for cozy entertaining incorporating rich tones and metallic accents. Around here Fall has some great weather for outdoor gatherings, plus we don’t have to worry so much about bugs. 

Check out more of this space in my Fall entertaining tabletop design, where you can include this light & rustic dinner party menu.

Divide outdoor space for entertaining

• The patio is large enough so we have three distinct areas for entertaining, and with plenty of space in between. We have a sitting area, a fire pit area with a knee wall for extra seating, and we have a space to dine under the deck where I can hang my candle chandelier {I bought it 15 years ago and never had a place to hang it}. I finally have the perfect home for my lounge set and fire pit {from my outdoor living & entertaining post here}.
• What you don’t see in the photos is the bumped out pad for the grill to sit on, and the area where the steps from the deck enter in. They are just out of the shot, to the right of the knee wall above. If you’re building a patio, I would definitely recommend adding a small pad so the grill sits on the perimeter of the living space instead of taking up that precious square footage.
• Setting up the patio for entertaining is certainly more elaborate than your everyday decor. You have to consider the elements on a daily basis so you’re not going to leave all these accessories outside all the time. I do believe in bringing the indoors out for a party though, and I grab pillows, throws, accessories, etc. from any room in the house. Anything that isn’t very precious or fragile is fair game!
• I spray painted a few furniture pieces in order to make them more neutral and versatile. The chairs around the fire pit were originally red so I painted them ivory, the small table that tucks under the sofa was also red so I painted it copper, and the gold, barrel-shaped table on the other side of the sofa was originally a galvanized gray finish. You can always update and customize with spray paint!
• Extra seating is crucial for entertaining outdoors. Lightweight pieces that are easy to move around are ideal. I brought out my 2 poufs from our bonus room, for the sitting area. The bench used at the dinner table can also slide over into the lounge space. Finally, the two chairs at the fire pit are light and easy to move where needed.
• For fall patio decor I like to switch out the brightly colored all-weather rug and bring out one with more muted colors. Here I used my faux rawhide rug from the guest room, but any low pile rug will do {kilim, durie, sisal, braided rugs, etc}. I love how it defines a space just as it does indoors.

• We built this small deck for easy access to the patio. I’m not really a deck person but it was necessary. Plus it provides a nice ceiling for the area below, which is perfect for hanging lighting or lanterns. As it turns out, I’m really enjoying this little space. It’s the perfect size for my bistro table and a small bench. I love to sit here and have coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening.
• We stained the deck white with gray floor and steps, and it turned out to be the BEST decision! The white blends in with the rest of the house trim so it looks more “built in” and elegant. The white base also looks so much prettier from the patio level, and almost disappears. The gray floor is just dark enough to “hide” the dirt and it coordinates with the patio paver colors beautifully. Seriously, now that I have my white deck I don’t know why anyone ever stains their deck brown!

Well, that’s it – my new favorite “room” of the house! Let me know what you think.

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