Spruce Up Your Patio to Spend Your Entire Summer Outdoors (For Under $300)

updated Jun 26, 2019

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I don’t know about you, but my balcony is pretty pathetic. As a renter of a second-floor condo with a little screened-in outdoor area, it’s been hard to get motivated enough to think about that space and what I can do with it. It currently houses a small travel grill (that doesn’t travel), two “in the meantime” wood folding chairs, and my poor rusting bike that’s been quite neglected because it’s too annoying to roll it through my living room, down the stairs and onto the asphalt. But I’ve had enough. I’m coming up on my third summer spent in this home, and the time has come to set myself up for comfortably sipping sangria (in style) with my beau during the upcoming long, warm summer nights.

In playing around with some ideas for myself, I came to the realization, as I often do, that furniture, rugs, et al. are expensive. Why oh why does it feel like I need to drop nearly $1,000 just to have a cute place to sit outside? Well, I refuse to, which is why I rounded up these three set ups (with three different styles) for a small patio, all for under $300. I may very well take my own advice and spruce up my little al fresco living room to-be, the only question is…do I go classic bistro, funky boho or modern tropics? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Funky Boho

A little rattan and seagrass goes a long way to get a bohemian look for your outdoor haven. Throw in a mix of funky throw pillows and a flash of turquoise via a garden stool/side table, and you’re set!