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A small patio is a good place to decorate for Christmas: it is the first thing guests see, and a few lit pieces make the whole yard feel finished. Unlike a balcony, a patio usually has more floor, a nearby wall or fence, and sometimes a pergola or a fire pit to build around.
The trick is to decorate in layers instead of filling every corner. Light at eye level, green at the edges and one cozy spot to sit give a better result than twenty small items.
Before you start
- Use outdoor-rated products. Lights, cords, timers and extension cords must say outdoor on the label.
- Plan the power. Find the nearest outlet and count how many strings you can run from it. A timer saves the trouble of switching them on and off.
- Think about wind. Anything light will move. Tie it down, weigh it or pick something heavy.
- Keep fire away. Candles, fire pits and heaters belong at a safe distance from garland, curtains and wooden furniture.
- Pick one color story. Warm white plus green is the safest; add red or copper as the accent.
01Light the edge of the patio
Warm white string lights along the fence, wall or railing frame the space. Run them in a straight line, secure with clips every foot and keep the plug end near the outlet. Use the string light calculator to work out how long a string you need.
02Wrap the pergola or posts
If you have a pergola, wrap the posts with garland and run lights across the beams. It gives a ceiling of light above the seating area. No pergola yet? Our pergola ideas cover small options.
03Lit planters by the door
Put two matching planters on each side of the door and fill them with evergreen branches, pinecones and a string of lights. They look good until January.
04A fire pit corner
A fire pit or a tabletop fire bowl makes the patio a place people want to sit in cold weather. Keep seats at least three feet from the flame and follow local rules for open fires.
05A tree in a big pot
A potted live spruce or a slim artificial tree with built-in lights is the focal point of the patio. Weigh the pot with sand or bricks so wind does not tip it.
06LED lanterns on the table
LED candles in lanterns give the glow of real candles with no flame. Set a group of three at different heights on the table or the steps.
07A wreath on the door or fence
A wreath on a fence panel or outside door adds green at eye level. Hang it with a hook that sits over the top so you do not need nails.
08A rug to define the seating area
An outdoor rug in a red, green or plaid pattern turns the patio into a room. Choose a water-resistant one and size it with the outdoor rug size calculator.
09Throws and a basket of blankets
Keep wool or fleece throws in a lidded basket or a deck box so guests can reach for one. Bring them in on wet days.
10Net lights on a hedge or a fence
Net lights cover a hedge, fence or privacy screen in one pass and are faster to hang than strings. For a screen that stays all year, see apartment balcony privacy ideas.
11A timer or smart plug
A timer that turns everything on at dusk and off at bedtime saves electricity and keeps the patio from looking left on. Pick an outdoor-rated one and keep the plug off the wet floor.
For heat that keeps people outside longer, read cozy fall and winter patio ideas and use the patio heater calculator.
A plan by effort
- One evening: lights along the edge, a wreath and a timer.
- A weekend: add the tree, lanterns and lit planters.
- Full look: add the rug, throws and a fire pit corner.
Before you pay
- Every cord, plug and light must be outdoor-rated.
- Do not run cords through puddles or across the walkway.
- Keep candles and heat away from garland and fabric.
- Take everything down in January and store lights wound on a card.
