Decorating Ideas For A Small Deck

As the weather begins to cool down, one of the best things is to be able to invite friends over and sit outside! And whether you have a large backyard or a small deck (or porch), there’s always a way to make it feel beautiful and inviting.

We recently decided that it was finally time to tackle our deck with a small renovation and finding the right decor. While it took a little bit of time and planning, it was SO worth it! If you’re looking to revive your small deck, be sure to scroll down for our favorite tips, tricks, and ideas!

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Decorating Ideas For A Small Deck

Paint or replace the wood

The first thing we did in our deck renovation was paint the wood. While it honestly would have been a better option to replace the wood on our deck (since it was in pretty bad condition), we aren’t looking to invest too much more into our home and wanted a quick and easy solution.

We used this paint (in the Iced Mocha color) to completely cover the existing wood and give it a smoother look! It was the perfect solution for us and totally transformed the space. If we had really gone all out, we would have also replaced the bamboo siding on the deck and painted the house, but for now painting the deck was just right!

Think about your style and colors

The next step is to think about what style and color palette you want. Do you love bohemian style? Modern? We went with a mix of both and chose neutral colors with pops of white!

Get a shade (if you need it)

Our deck originally came with a really old, yellowed shade that gave everything an eerie yellow glow. Since we were investing in beautiful furniture, it only made sense that we also invest in a shade that emphasized the colors of our deck and furniture, not diminished them! After LOTS of trial and error, we fell in love with this shade. It gives our deck a beautiful white light while still making it SO much cooler. We love it!

Start with your main seating

Now for the good stuff! Start your by choosing your main (and largest) piece of furniture. For us, that was a sofa like this one. We went back and forth, but decided to get the large 3-seater so that we would have plenty of seating when friends come over. It was a great decision!

Since our sofa cushions are white, we invested in this outdoor sofa cover (and LOVE it). It’s great for rainy days and should protect the sofa through the winter! We also sprayed our cushions with Scotch Guard (this one is made for outdoor furniture). The sofa made it through Atlas’ first birthday party with many people eating food on it, toddlers running around, and tons of people sitting on it, so we’re feeling pretty good about it!

Add a rug

At first I felt unsure about having a rug outside. As someone who didn’t grow up with beautiful outdoor furniture, this concept felt a little odd to me (haha). However, I will say it ABSOLUTELY brings the space together and gives it a warm, cozy feel! This is the rug we decided to go with in the 5×7 size. It’s easy to clean and holds up through Oklahoma thunderstorms, so I would say it does pretty well!

We also bought a small, handheld vacuum to keep it (and the sofa) clean.

Find a coffee table you love

A coffee table is essential! We love the style of this round wicker coffee table. We store citronella candles underneath it whenever we’re not using them and it’s easy to move around. It’s the best!

Mix and match chairs

Once you have your main pieces, it’s time to add in extras! Think about how many people you’d like to seat on a normal occasion. We chose these white chairs because they’re easy to clean and maintain, light weight, and sturdy. We move them around all of the time, they look modern and beautiful, and people love them!

Here are a few other outdoor chair ideas that we love:

Add plants

This step really makes a small deck come to life! We purchased several beautiful tropical plants and they have done so well outside. Some of our favorite options include:

• Elephant Ear Plant
• Fiddle Leaf Tree
• Windmill Palm

While you do have to water them often (especially in the hot summer), they really make the space so pretty! Another option is to invest in faux plants if you’re not ready to commit to real ones. Either way, plants make a small deck feel open and alive!

Add small decor

Now for the fun pieces! Add outdoor pillows (we love World Market for pillows), candles, and other odds and ends. Here are some of our favorite outdoor decor ideas:

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Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. These are products that I know, trust, and love!

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