There’s nothing like taking in a big breath of fresh air on your very own patio. Even if it’s covered in snow, having a little outdoor living space to call your own feels like a little slice of paradise. However, if you’re looking outside your back window and seeing nothing more than a patio set and an umbrella sitting on a concrete slab, you need a design intervention. Everyone deserves to have a backyard oasis, and it’s totally achievable with a little time and effort. Whether you have a massive yard with plenty of space or a petite patio that barely fits the smallest pieces of furniture, it’s time to turn your space into a masterpiece. Discover the secrets you need to make the perfect patio, one that is just as practical as it is pretty.
Determine Your Patio’s Purpose
The purpose of your patio will play a huge role in how it gets designed. As a rule of thumb, family spaces need to be child-friendly, outdoor dining areas need to have room to move away from the smoke coming off the barbecue, and tiny spaces need dedicated trails.
Each purpose will have its own requirements. Explore the possibilities before putting anything in stone. Figure out how the space will be used prior to prepping for a patio, and don’t overlook the idea of having a multifunctional space.
Get the Blueprints
When designing your backyard patio, you don’t really have to get out the blueprints of your home. You should, however, certainly grab a pad of paper and a pen because you’ll want to create a layout for your patio plan. This is a vital step in designing a patio because without it, things may not fit where you intended. Frustrations can run high if you’re trying to squeeze a patio set into a small corner where it clearly won’t fit. Make sure to draw out a plan that includes everything from where the walkways will be to where the barbecue will smoke and where you’ll relax.
Stage Some Style into Your Outdoor Oasis
Once you have planned out the finer details of your patio, it’s time to put them into action. Start by pulling your patio furniture and decor out of the shed or the cobweb-filled, muddy corner in your yard. Give everything a good wash down or a fresh coat of paint, and move it into place.
Roll the barbecue into position and throw down wood chippings, gravel or pegs to mark where the walkways will be. With the basics down, you can amp up the personality of your patio.
Toss in a Touch of Personality
A patio wouldn’t be complete without some personality. Grab some exterior art pieces and hang them in your outdoor space. String dangling lights from tree to tree, and add in some greenery. Don’t forget to light the way with tiki torches or exterior pathway lighting so the space can be enjoyed after sundown.
Your patio should look warm and comforting, as opposed to just furniture sitting outdoors.
Splurge on One Major Backyard Luxury
If the budget allows for it, treat your patio to some luxury. Depending on the purpose of your patio, that luxury could be anything from an outdoor fire pit for roasting marshmallows to a trickling water fountain for tranquility or a lively pond filled with nature. Luxury is the final touch to create your pretty patio.
The last step is to perfect the patio. Once everything is in place, you’ll be able to spot any imperfections. If an area has too much shade, readjust the furniture so the space embraces more light. Add an umbrella in sunny areas, move potted plants that hang where people could hit their heads. Focus on the small ins and outs of a perfectly practical and pretty patio.