Spread Out in the Sunshine: 10 Simple Ways to Expand and Enhance Your Patio

You love your home, and you spend a lot of time there, but when the sun is shining, all you want to do is go outside. When the temperatures rise, your thoughts turn to outdoor living, so why not transform your patio into the perfect outdoor space?

With a few simple and inexpensive upgrades, you can turn your outdoor living space into a thing of wonder and a place everyone will want to be. Here are ten small things that will give you big benefits when you head outside for some fresh air.

1. Hang out in a deck-mounted hammock chair. There is nothing as relaxing as swinging in a hammock, and you do not need a lot of space to unwind and relax. Setting up a hammock chair on your deck or hanging it from a sturdy overhead post will give you endless relaxation for a very affordable price.
2. Expand your mind with an outdoor reading nook. If you love to read a great book on a warm sunny day, why not set up a dedicated reading space on your deck, porch, or patio? All you need is a comfy chair and possibly a table where you can sit your book down while you enjoy a delicious sip of lemonade. Accessorize with plants and pillows to make your space cozy and inviting.
3. Stay productive in your outdoor working space. Working from home has become increasingly popular, so why not take the office outside when the sun is shining? Setting up a basic outdoor workspace is fast and easy, especially if you use a laptop that can be set up virtually anywhere.
4. Go beyond the grill with a full-function outdoor kitchen. Grilling is a summertime tradition, but you can go beyond the basics when you set up an outdoor kitchen. You can make your outdoor cooking space as simple or elaborate as you like based on your individual needs and budget.
5. Entertain in style with an outdoor bar. If you enjoy a beer with your buddies, why not go beyond the cooler by setting up a fully stocked outdoor bar? An outdoor bar is the perfect place to chat, relax and unwind after a hard day at work.
6. Enjoy your favorite tunes with weatherproof wireless speakers. In the days of Wi-Fi networks and smart speakers, the music you love can literally follow you everywhere – including the deck, patio, and porch. Strategically placed wireless and waterproof speakers can expand your entertainment options, especially if you sync them with your favorite voice assistant.
7. Give your feet a soft landing with an outdoor-friendly carpet. If you use traditional carpet on your deck, you will soon end up with a soggy mess, but there is a better alternative. Outdoor carpet is a great way to treat your feet, all for a very affordable price.
8. Create the perfect ambiance with solar lights and lanterns. You do not need to string wires or worry about electrical cables, not when you have abundant sunshine. Solar lighting is the perfect complement to your outdoor living space, so light things up and get ready to have a great time.
9. Green up your thumb with a container garden. You do not need a lot of space to grow delicious vegetables or colorful flowers – with a suitable container, you can create a luscious garden right on your porch or patio.
10. Relax with a soothing water feature. There is something deeply relaxing about listening to running water, and you can create a lovely water element right on your deck or patio. From elaborate fountains and fishponds to simpler water elements, the choice is up to you.

You do not have to spend a lot of money or time to expand and enhance your outdoor living space. With a few simple upgrades, you can make the space outside your home just as charming, just as fun, and just as beautiful as the space within the four walls of your home. It is time to enjoy the summer sun with some patio fun!