What You Need to Put Together an Attractive Patio Area

Your backyard patio is often hidden from the general public’s eye. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t want it to look stellar. Not only will it impress visitors and be a great place to host outdoor gatherings, but you will also appreciate the beauty of living in a home with a well-kept patio area.

Lights

You need to make sure that your patio is well lit. This will allow you to enjoy a beautiful evening outside talking with friends, eating, or playing games. Many homes will have a few wall mounted lights that do a decent job of keeping the place lit. However, since all the light is coming from a single direction, there is a tendency for a lot of shadowing. You’ll be much happier using some overhanging lights. You can have these installed into the roof of your patio cover, or you could hang light strings. Strings of lights offer a very pleasing aesthetic. You can use bare bulbs, or you can opt for globe lighting. Other options include lantern lights, candles, or even tiki torches.

Cover from the Elements

You’re going to want to make sure that you have some cover from the elements. A roof over your patio will provide some sweet shade when the sun is blazing. Cover will also allow you to enjoy sitting outside and watching the rain fall without getting wet. Patio cover isn’t just for you though. A cover will help protect your patio furniture and other fixtures from direct sun and moisture. These items are designed to be outside, but it is wise to protect them as much as possible. There are many options for cover. You can set up a cloth awning, wood slat pavilion, or you could even extend your roof over the patio.

Appropriate Outdoor Furniture

Not just any furniture can be used outside. You need to have furniture that is designed to withstand the elements. Metal furniture is very durable but can become discolored to rust caused by moisture. Wooden furniture can be a very elegant touch. To preserve its quality, you should always keep wood furniture out of direct sunlight. Any cushions need to be waterproof. This will prevent moisture from penetrating and causing mold to grow in the cushions. Additionally, it will be much easier to keep the waterproof cushioning clean.

Potted Plants

Potted plants are the perfect way to add a touch of nature to your patio. You’ll want to plan out your plants carefully. Make sure that the plants you choose are well suited for a potted life. Keep sun exposure in mind when you place the plants. Some plants will need a lot of sunlight. Others will prefer a little more shade. You can use the plants around the edges of your patio to frame it. Another option is a hanging wall garden. You could even use the potted plants to provide a bit of shade by hanging them on strings overhead.

The Right Surfacing

You don’t have to settle for a generic concrete patio. There is nothing wrong with a concrete patio, but there are other options that may be more aesthetically pleasing. You could choose to lay down tile. There are several types of tile that look great outdoors from marble to stone. If you want a more rustic feel, you could choose to put down cobblestone. This will give your patio a more natural look. On the flip side, it will also make your patio a little uneven. Make sure that you seal any cracks in between the material that you put down. This will help prevent weeds from growing in the middle of your patio.

Hammocks

Nothing beats a hammock when it comes to relaxing outside. You could choose to have a hanging hammock installed into overhead beams. These are great to curl up in and relax. They also double as excellent chairs. If you are more interested in being able to stretch your legs and sleep, a conventional hammock can be a better choice. You can hang it between two beams or trees. If you don’t have something that works, you can easily purchase a hammock stand. Just make sure that you don’t allow small children to use the hammock unsupervised. They can easily fall out and hurt themselves.

Hot Tub

After a long hard day, it can be nice to jump inside a hot tub and let your muscles loosen and relax. This makes a hot tub the perfect addition to your patio. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that your hot tub fits the aesthetic of the rest of your home. Exposed piping and water stained sides are not appealing. Consider investing in a custom hot tub with siding that matches its surroundings. You can have the hot tub installed with a beautiful wood exterior or a cool stone one.

Outdoor Kitchen

Nothing brings people closer together than sharing food. If you want to have a hit in any outdoor gathering, an outdoor kitchen is a must. Grilling burgers or barbecuing ribs in your outdoor kitchen will fill the air with a sweet aroma that is sure to get everybody’s stomachs rumbling. An outdoor kitchen will also make serving and cleaning up much more convenient. It can also help you avoid overheating your house during the summer months when turning on the oven makes your home feel sweltering. As you consider your outdoor kitchen design, keep the wind in mind. You’ll want to have at least a moderate windbreak to keep the breeze from disrupting your hard work.

These are only a few of the ways that you can spruce up your patio. If you are looking for more ideas, ask some kids. They will be more than happy to tell you what they think would be cool. Make sure that you keep the place functional. It will be important that whatever you have out there can withstand exposure to the elements. You’ll be very happy with the hard work that you put in to making your home such a beautiful place to live.

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