A patio is a great place to unwind after a long day or enjoy with friends and family on the weekend. If you’re looking for help affording your patio upgrades, a home improvement loan could help you get the money you need now and pay it back in predictable monthly payments with set terms, which may make your costs easier to manage.
But if you want to create a patio where you can kick your feet up without stretching your budget too far, read on.
Consider your priorities
First, think about how you’ll most likely use the patio to relax. If you plan on hosting a lot, you may need to dedicate more of your budget to furniture. If you love plants and gardening, perhaps that’s where you’ll spend your money. If having an outdoor sound system is at the top of your list, invest in that.
Getting clear on your needs and understanding how you plan to relax on your patio before you start purchasing items could help keep you and your wallet on track.
Carefully choose your furniture
Choosing the right furniture is probably one of the most effective ways to make your patio more relaxing and ensure you don’t spend money on things you won’t use. An outdoor couch, chairs or a lounger are all options. You’ll probably also want a dining table or smaller side tables, particularly if you plan on hosting friends and family.
You might also look into furniture that is waterproof or water resistant so that you don’t have to worry about covering your furniture every time it rains, storing it inside during the winter or needing to replace it too often.
You also don’t want a fabric that’s too precious or gets dirty easily, look for fabric that can withstand some wear and tear and is easy to clean.
Upgrading your furniture doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money either, there are plenty of budget-friendly options on places like Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Craigslist. You could even check your local consignment, thrift or vintage stores for gently used patio furniture at lower prices. You could also re-stain, re-paint or recover your existing furniture to get a different look on a budget
Add greenery
Adding greenery around your patio could help you create a more peaceful oasis without spending a lot of money. While planting bushes or small trees could be costly, buying potted plants, flower boxes and planting an herb garden could go a long way toward creating a more relaxed feeling outside.
Hanging plants could be nice too, depending on how your patio is constructed, or you might build a vertical garden wall over time.
If you don’t have a green thumb or you don’t enjoy taking care of plants, fake plants could do the trick, too.
None of these plants need to be expensive, either. Visit your local garden supply store for inspiration and then search online for potentially more affordable options.
Invest in mood lighting
Candles, lanterns, tiki torches and string lights could add ambiance to your space without eating into your budget.
If you’re planning on spending most evenings outside on your patio, you might also think about setting up a fire pit for extra light, warmth and s’mores. A fire pit doesn’t need to be fancy, but make sure you know how to set it up and manage it safely. If you’re looking for an affordable option, you might want to bookmark a few you like and wait to buy one from a big box store during the holiday sales.
Accessorize if your budget allows
If your budget allows for it, consider other accessories or items that may make your space feel even more relaxing. A large umbrella to block the sun, a weatherproof area rug to add coziness or even outdoor speakers to play music. If you plan on spending time outside during the cooler months, you might also look into a space heater. A small pond or fountain could also help enhance the patio with relaxing water sounds.
You may not be able to afford all of these items at once, so reflect back on your priorities to figure out where you want to spend your money.
As with the fire pit, you could create a wish list for pricier items and wait for them to go on sale or see if you can find any gently used options in your local area.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to upgrade your space
Making your patio more relaxing doesn’t have to take a lot of time, energy or money — it really depends on your goals, preferences and budget. Deciding on your priorities, carefully choosing patio furniture, adding greenery, investing in lighting and adding accessories where you’re able could all be done in an affordable way. You may need to get creative about how you find items or embrace some DIY projects, but having a plan from the start could help you stay on track.
A relaxing patio is within your reach, and you’ll feel even more accomplished knowing you didn’t break the bank to create it.
Notice: Information provided in this article is for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of internetchickss.com or its employees. Please be sure to consult your financial advisor about your financial circumstances and options. This site may receive compensation from advertisers for links to third-party websites.