Picture Perfect Patio: How To Create A Patio That Stands Out From The Rest
Summertime and patios just seem to go together. Whether you are grilling burgers for an outdoor picnic or relaxing after a long day at work, the patio is the place where summer living happens.
Is your patio one that stands out and gets noticed, or is it just another patio with nothing more than a grill and a few outdated lawn chairs? By adding the right elements to your patio, you can transform it into the perfect place for entertaining and relaxing.
Furnish it well
Whether you are entertaining or relaxing, having comfortable seating is a must. Upgrade old lawn chairs to chairs with removable cushions. Test drive chairs before you purchase them. Splurge on the best seating you can afford.
Using chairs with removable cushions is a wise investment. Not only does it enable you to easily remove the cushions on rainy days, it also makes it easy to change the color scheme of your outdoor space simply by purchasing new cushions in a different color.
Choose furniture that coordinates with the style of your home. Wicker and iron work well with a traditional home. For a contemporary home, you may wish to choose sleek steel designs. For French or European homes, opt for painted wood or iron.
Light it right
Avoid harsh lighting for your patio. The goal is to provide a perfect balance of ambient light rather than glaring light. Decorative hanging lanterns are one of the easiest ways to add soft lighting. When hung from an arbor, they make a lovely entry point.
Hang multiple decorative hanging lanterns on shepherd's hooks around the patio to define your outdoor space. Consider using decorative hanging lanterns along a walkway leading to the patio to welcome guests.
You can purchase battery-operated candles with automatic timers to use inside your hanging lanterns. The timers can be set to turn the candles on at the same time each evening. The timers will automatically turn the candles off at a set time. They are the perfect carefree lighting option for patios and outdoor spaces.
Create a focal point
One thing that is often overlooked in designing a patio is creating a main focal point. What makes a great focal point? A fire pit, a water feature, or a large statue are all good for creating a center of attention.
Once you decide on which element to use as your focal point, use a few additional accessories to make it stand out even more. A water fountain focal point will look great when surrounded by pots of plants and flowers. A large statue can be placed on a colorful outdoor rug to attract attention. A fire pit can often stand alone as a focal point.
Beware of clutter
Avoid mixing and matching too many different styles and colors when designing your patio. The outdoors is filled with plenty of natural elements competing for attention. A well-designed patio is one that is well-balanced and attractive without distracting from the natural beauty of the outdoors.
The patio is the bridge between your house and the great outdoors. A great patio is one where the transition from indoor living to outdoor living is flawless. It's the place where summer living takes place and entertaining is a breeze.