Our Back Patio

Honestly, I feel bad for our back patio. It’s at least triple the size of Dave’s old balcony (and I’ve never had my own private outdoor space, unless you count a NYC fire escape! 🤯) and yet it’s totally overshadowed by our rooftop that spans the length of our entire condo.

The patio is off of the primary bedroom so it’s not that conducive to entertaining, but I’ve had girlfriends over to sit and have coffee and it’s the perfect intimate setting. I hung patio lights around the railing so it will be a great spot for wine or a cocktail, too!

When we toured this place, I knew right away that I wanted to make this back patio my little nook. It’s fully shaded in the mornings so it’s the perfect spot to journal, read, and sip coffee to start the day! (I need to get more in the habit of actually doing that, ha!) And then in the afternoon, it’s flooded with sunlight and later, sunset views. I think we’ll have more of a reason to use the space in the cooler months, as it will feel more necessary to pop out and get a little fresh air.

Dave’s mom found this really cool rattan-looking vase that was actually ceramic this spring and I thought it was so neat. Needless to say, I was extra excited when I found this planter at Arhaus on major sale earlier this summer. (Sadly, have never been able to find it online!) It looks like a woven sea grass basket, but it’s cement. I’m obsessed! Thankfully, CB2 has the exact same one – that’s also on sale now!

When I was searching for these similar options, I found this pot that’s similar to the one his mom found for $30. Ordered immediately for delivery tomorrow! Win, win.

I went with mostly cushion-less furniture on the rooftop and decided to do cushions out here since it’s relatively easy to pull them into our bedroom when a storm is rolling through.

I chose this conversation set and while I was initially worried about the glass top on the table, we found this evergreen planter at Jayson Home and it’s perfect to hold the table in place. (And easy to move to the ground when you need more space on the table.) I was also worried about the white cushions, but the covers are removable so I can toss them in the laundry when needed. Since they’re small chairs, I don’t have to worry about Marley getting on them with her black fur, so it felt like the right move. They couldn’t have been easier to assemble, we just had to screw in the legs!

The set is now on sale if you’re in the market!

Since the egg chair is larger, I went with black cushions, but it’s also available in white and a pretty navy. Marley hasn’t gotten up in it yet, but you never know. She loves a cozy spot to curl up! We’ve definitely found her sprawled out on the rugs, though… The cutest.

If I wasn’t worried about the dog hair and stains (there’s no overhang above this patio), I would have gotten this egg-like chair. It’s a similar price and I love the style so much more, but working with the space, I thought the traditional egg chair might be best to at least provide a little bit of shade. If you have a covered patio, get it, send me a pic, and let me live vicariously!

Again, if you’re in the market, my egg chair also now marked down for the end of the season! I think it would be so cute on a small patio downtown or in a neat spot in a backyard. (I’m also *obsessed* with this kids egg chair if you’ve got little ones!!)

Overall, I’m happy with how it turned out! And it was pretty affordable (considering how expensive outdoor furniture is 😩), as I got almost everything from Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Eventually, I’d like to fill it in a bit more… Maybe more flowers and plants next summer or maybe adding another piece like an ottoman or a smaller fire pit for the winter months. We shall see!

Here are some ideas…