How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space

I received compensation for the Kirkland’s “Love Your Look” blog post. Kirkland’s partnered with several bloggers like me to raise brand awareness. All purchases and content are on my own accord and reflect my personal opinion and style.

How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Well friends, if there’s one thing you don’t see much of on this blog, it’s outdoor spaces. We live in townhouses, so our outdoor space is pretty minimal. And to even further decrease my outdoor decorating motivation, our unit is kind of tucked back away from everything and almost no one besides us ever sees it, especially the front area. Tiny space + no one sees it = major lack of decorating. (Shhhh… don’t tell! They might fire me as a decor blogger! 😉 )

As I mentioned on Friday, though, the entire main floor of our house has currently been taken over by a kitchen renovation, and with no oven and a cluttered dining room, we have been doing most of our cooking on the grill and eating outside. Sounds simple enough, right? Except that this was our outdoor seating situation:

How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Classy… 😉 Now don’t get me wrong– that little table was perfect when the Cs were tiny, but even Connor is outgrowing it, and Donnie and I stand no chance of fitting our adult-sized bodies onto those teeny benches. Eeek! It was finally time to deck out our small deck for summer, and the first item on my list was seating!

How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Most of my decor indoors tends to include more neutral and muted colors, but what I love about outdoor spaces is that they really lend themselves to pulling off bright colors without feeling overwhelming. When I saw this aqua table and chairs at Kirkland’s, I knew they were going to be “the one.” (And did I mention that they also come in red?! So fun!)

How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Using the tables and chairs as my base, I was able to add pillows, plants, pots, and a small throw rug to bring in even more color and texture. And what is summer without a big pitcher of cold lemonade?!

How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

What you can’t see in these pictures is the Cs standing right behind me saying, “Mom, can we drink the lemonade yet? Is it time? Can we? Pleeeeeeeeease?!” My pretty little table displays never last long!! (Which is one reason I take so many pictures!)

How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

This happy little space makes me kind of glad that the kitchen reno temporarily displaced our eating area. Our outdoor space may be small, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much it could be improved by adding just a few pretty accessories! I mean, just look at this before and after!

How to Decorate a Small Outdoor Space | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

 

Delightful Sign Off

I received compensation for the Kirkland’s “Love Your Look” blog post. Kirkland’s partnered with several bloggers like me to raise brand awareness. All purchases and content are on my own accord and reflect my personal opinion and style. For more information, see my disclosures here.

90 Comments

  1. Michelle S says:

    Absolutely Beautiful set!

  2. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom says:

    I would purchase the maggie infinity round mirror!!! Oh, I love your patio space. I really need to work on that, I think I am going to make it a goal for NEXT summer, I have too many other projects going on right now. LOL. Your use of color is my favorite part of it.

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  3. Definitely one of the tables

  4. Georgia @ Silver Spiral Studio says:

    I love this!! Classy and fun – thanks for the inspiration 🙂

  5. Kristine Hart says:

    I would head strait to the light dept. Need to brighten up this “too few windows” apartment. Fingers crossed!
    Kristine 🙂

  6. I am in dire need of a round mirror for a bathroom we just re-did. Love your deck!!

  7. Ashleigh Hall says:

    I have had my eye on their outdoor mason string lights and their door mats! I love their patio furniture bistro sets too!! Thank you for such a great chance to win!:)

  8. I would love to grab some new lighting and mirrors! Really brighten this place up a bit!

  9. Love this! I also love that your displays don’t last long! Good to know I am not the only one! If I win, I would probably purchase this cute chair set too! I can think of the perfect spot!

  10. Kara Benz says:

    I am in LOVE with that table and chairs! Teal is my favorite color! Great job, Abby! What a transformation 🙂

  11. Emily @ Small Stuff Counts says:

    Cute table and chairs! I would buy the same set only in red to match our house.

  12. We just bought a new house and I have a huge rocking chair front porch to decorate. I’m crazy excited and the gift card would help so much! Love your space, Abby!

  13. Lindsay Eidahl says:

    We are starting a kitchen makeover as well so I would probably look for things for the kitchen.

  14. Your updates look great! We need to update our entryway, and I see several great console tables on Kirkland’s website. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  15. I would love to have one of their wicker chairs for my front porch! Your porch looks awesome by the way! :o)

    Tania

  16. Jaclyn Lorimer says:

    Gorgeous colors and totally my style! I’d love to snag that table!

  17. Renee Johnson says:

    I love your style! This is so cute 🙂

  18. I really like the cream and linen sleigh bench, maybe for my entryway!

  19. I love the colors… so summery! I would love to buy those cushions.

  20. Niki Clarke says:

    LOVE the lime and aqua!! Just decorated my office using that color combo.

  21. I would pick out a small table and chairs for our front porch. I love the little bistro sets!

  22. Those colors are fantastic!

  23. Awesome!!!!
    I want those chairs!

  24. Savannah Brown Wicker Settee

  25. I would choose the Blue Logan Pillows, Set of 2.

  26. Julie Wood says:

    I will pick the Distressed Aqua Tabletop Clock, Today is a Good Day Framed Art Print, and the Smith Scrolled Sconces, Set of 2! Too many gorgeous things to choose from!

  27. grammygoodwill says:

    I was just there yesterday for a wedding gift. A splurge for me – that I didn’t give in to – was the Eiffel Tower magnifying cosmetic mirror. There was also a small rug that I sighed over. I loved Kirklands. Thanks for the chances to win.

  28. Love this! I just took down our July 4th decor and updated with hot pink/navy and lobsters! I love the bright bold colors of summer!

  29. Love kirklands and the great outdoor chairs you found. The Aqua is such a happy color.

  30. Viri Gutierrez says:

    Love everything about this set up!! The colors work perfect together. Definately one of my decorating inspirations for the near future!:)

  31. I am really not sure. We need an area rug, so I might get the Corsica Aqua Area Rug or the Jackson Blue & Brown Floral Rug

  32. Nicole Dziedzic says:

    I would love to get the Chalkboard Beverage Dispensers, Set of 2 & the Blue Ombre Lantern for my outdoor space.

  33. Ann @ The Clumsy Wife says:

    Beautiful space, Abby! I’d pick either a linen accent chair or some fun outdoor furniture!

  34. I would choose the Lauren Bronze Plaque for over my bed.

  35. Tamara p. says:

    So cheery and bright..love the colors!

  36. Absolutely love the bright colors, especially outside! It works in such a small space. 🙂 How much was the total project, if you don’t mind me asking?

  37. I need some seating for my porch so I would love to get the

    Savannah Driftwood Wicker Rocker

  38. Love the Aqua patio set. On my to do list of spray paint. 🙂

  39. DIY Just Cuz says:

    Very cute! I love the colors as well 🙂
    I wish our house had a porch or outdoor area at all but our yard doesn’t have anything so far…maybe that means we have to create one!
    You did a great job!
    –Brittany

  40. HI, Abby ~ I might pay a good chunk of money to see you and Donnie squeeze into those kid-sized benches. ;0) I love how this looks! The aqua table and chairs are so fun and summery! I might have to pick up the red set for our backyard. Hmmm, how can I make Hubs understand that we simply must have a new table and chairs… The pillows and pots are great details, too! I can understand why your adorable C’s were begging for the lemonade. It looks yummy! Enjoy your beautiful outdoor space and best wishes with the reno!!

  41. Ali Celestino says:

    So many gorgeous items I would choose the Speckled turquois melamine dinner plates and bowls and Baltic Dalton pillows.

  42. Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com says:

    I really like how you really dressed up a small space and made it so charming and now even more practical. So many folks only have these small little areas for outdoor seating so this gives them such inspiration.

  43. Birdiebee says:

    I would choose either the Espresso Farmhouse 4-Drawer Storage Chest or something similar as I do not own a dresser.

  44. Leah Sannar says:

    I LOVE all the bright colors! Totally makes me want to decorate my deck outside and spend all my waking hours there. 🙂 I’ve gotten some super cute stuff from Kirkland’s over the years. 🙂

  45. steve weber says:

    Loving those chairs — thank you for all the awesome ideas!

  46. Jessica mcfarlin says:

    I would buy the who’s there mat.

  47. Karen Nadeau says:

    I really like the silver mirrored chest.

  48. Lindsay (@LindsayWeighsIn) says:

    Love this! I’m moving and would definitely either get some great outdoor furniture, vanity or decorative pieces for inside our new home. Clearly it could go to good use and I hope I win!! 🙂

  49. I love the silver gianna sunburst mirror!

  50. Bridgett Wilbur says:

    If I won I would get a new mirror for my bedroom wall.

  51. Michele P says:

    So glad I learned that even though no store in my area I can shop online with them… I visited their store while in NY and loved it. I am into mosaic so I like the Tortoise Mosaic Jewel Uplights and would probably get a couple of them along with some curtains with similar colors.

  52. Jaclyn Reynolds says:

    I need some new outdoor items and would love Concrete Tulip Bird Feeder and the Red Geometric Ceramic Planter!

  53. I’d love to use it towards the Blue Distressed Dresser, it’s beautiful!

  54. I like the Floral Medallion Carlisle Scatter Rug, those are the colors I’m usiing in my living room.

  55. Perfect for our tiny porch-to-be

  56. Christy Fulmer says:

    Great job! Love the color of the table!

  57. Love the make-over. I would absolutely love this same set under my line trees – in red!
    Thanks for all the great ideas!

  58. Stephanie H. says:

    I would get a couple more of the Parsons chairs. I got a few a couple years ago and have been looking to get some other patterns! Kirklands has the most comfy chairs!

  59. A new rug!

  60. I NEED that table and chair set in red. We just cut down a HUGE oak tree and now our yard has so much sun! The red set would be perfect!

  61. Thank you for introducing me to Kirkland. We have been looking to change out the lights in our living room since we painted it. I saw about three lights that I am loving, but I have to decide what I like the best. We have a turquoise blue in our room so I like the Blue and Gold Moroccan Table Lamp. Thanks for the chance to win and for sharing your makeovers, I really enjoy seeing them and getting ideas for my own home!

  62. I like the red set! I would get that one if I won.

  63. Pillows for my porch day Bed!!!! And a red rug for our outdoor entry at Christmas!

  64. New Couch and matching chair

  65. Rebecca Moore says:

    I would buy this: Sale

    Savannah Brown Wicker 3-pc. Glider Set

    It looks so comfy, but classy and would blend right i

  66. I’d get the same thing you picked! I’m a sucker for retro-looking outdoor pieces, and we have zero outdoor seating!

  67. Your little corner of the world looks really pretty. We live in the boondocks and because of my health we don’t go outside to eat (did I mention I am 64 looking at 65 real soon?) But I would love to decorate my home. To say it is blah, blah, blah, blah, blah (you get the idea) would be a understatement.
    Thanks for the chance.

  68. I would take and buy some small items from the Kitchen and Dining Room area. They have a set of anchor measuring spoons and since my husband was in the U.S. Coast Guard and I was in the Navy they would be perfect for my kitchen

  69. Leigh Anne Borders says:

    I would love some of the color infusioned decor. I think it would brighten things up in my home.

  70. Ruth Molenaar says:

    Definitely the Ikat Parsons Chairs (4)

  71. I would definitely add planters to my sad outside space!

  72. Bethany @ The Southern Couture says:

    I would love to buy the Savannah Brown Wicker Porch Swing! It is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for offering this giveaway to everyone!!! I hope you have a wonderful week Abby!!!

  73. Chalkboard canisters for the kitchen, and the aqua wooden console table! It’s so hard to choose! There’s too many things I like!

  74. I would love to have theStella Antique Cream Mirror, 28×59!

  75. New table and chairs for sure! Love the simple lines and color of your makeover!

  76. I love the Blue Distressed Chest. I would put it in my guest bedroom which currently is without any type of storage other than the closet for guests.

  77. Amanda Sakovitz says:

    I would love to buy the dark oak storage chest

  78. I would get some new pillows for my couch.

  79. Thomas Murphy says:

    I would get the Double Arm Reading Torchiere

  80. Kristal Xavier says:

    Where did you get the pillows from ?

  81. Robert Green says:

    Nice idea for a small outdoor space. I love the chair with pillows and the red set looks very delicious.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, Robert!

      ~Abby =)

  82. Parker Tatum says:

    We just bought a small condo on the beach and it has the tiniest back porch. I love the idea of adding a pop of color to the porch. I tend to use neutrals, greys, etc. inside my house, so I was thinking of using the same color scheme outside, but after seeing your post I am definitely going for something bright outside.

  83. Parker Tatum says:

    We just bought a small condo on the beach and it has the tiniest back porch. I love the idea of adding a pop of color to the porch. I tend to use neutrals, greys, etc. inside my house, so I was thinking of using the same color scheme outside, but after seeing your post I am definitely going for something bright outside. Can’t wait to come back to this blog to see what other great ideas you have.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Aw, thanks Parker! I am definitely a neutrals girl but do like a great pop of color! 🙂

      ~Abby =)

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