Homes without a patio can look bare, as they can add so much to the overall aesthetic of a property. Many homeowners overlook the potential of having a patio with their focus usually being more on the interior of the home. However, the exterior can be just as, if not more, important as it’s what most people are going to see. This makes creating a beautiful outdoor living space perfect for improving your home and making it the talk of the town.
There are many ways that you can design your patio to make it particular to your style with the possibilities being almost endless. You can choose the material, shape and size of your patio to ensure that it perfectly fits onto your home and creates a cosy environment for you and your family to enjoy.
This guide will aim to inspire you with some backyard patio ideas that you can use for your own patio design. Continue reading for all the tips and tricks for creating your dream garden living space.
Choosing the Material, Size and Shape
Before you begin the construction of your patio, you need to conduct sufficient planning to ensure that everything is in order before you start the process. The material, size and shape of the patio is very important to consider, as all of these aspects will differ depending on the dimensions of your home and what style you are going for.
Wooden patios are by far the most popular, as they are easier to construct, highly durable and sustainable. Hardwoods are renowned for their density, strength, and natural resistance to decay, which makes them a good choice for patio material. You can also use natural stone or concrete for your patio if it will better match your style.
The size and shape of your patio will depend on whether your home is big or small. Smaller houses should go for a small patio, as this will offer the best feng shui and will create a cosier environment. Larger homes can go for a bigger patio that can fit in more furniture. The shape is entirely up to you, with a square or rectangular patio being the most common.
How to Create a Cosy Outdoor Patio
Pergola or Retractible Shade
Adding shade to your patio can be very important, especially during the summer months when the sun will be beating down on you. It can also make your patio more cosy, as you can feel more tucked away. You can do this by including a pergola or retractable shade to the flooring that is already outside your home.
You can purchase pre-made pergolas, but it is a lot cheaper to build your own pergola and it’s not too difficult to do.
Read: Three DIY Projects for Autumn: Preparing Your Home for the Winter Months
Comfortable Furniture
You can’t have a cosy patio with the inclusion of comfortable furniture. Having some form of couch on your patio is very important for comfort, as you need a space where you can sit back and relax. Depending on the size of your patio, you can include a longer couch that sits more people as this will be perfect if you have any guests over.
Warm Lighting
While natural light on a patio is great during the daytime and can provide you with many health benefits, when it goes dark you need to have good lighting solutions to keep your patio feeling cosy. Warm lighting can make a huge difference in making your outdoor space feel cosier. Our circadian rhythm relies on warm lighting to help us unwind, relax and prepare for sleep, which should be one of the primary aims of a patio.
Fire Pits
Large patios should have space for a fireplace in the centre of it and this can make for ultimate comfort for you and your guests. You can all sit on the furniture around the fire pit and enjoy stories as you feel the warmth and stay cosy. You can also include fire columns if you are limited for space, but it’s always crucial to make sure that safety precautions are met to reduce the risk of anything going wrong.
Real or Faux Plants
Incorporating more plants into your patio design will have many benefits; both aesthetically and mentally. Plants are proven to reduce stress, boost mood and improve air quality, which makes them the perfect solution for making a space feel more cosy. The plants that you include in your patio don’t need to be real, as faux plants are also proven to invoke positive emotions. These also need less maintenance, which makes them very ideal.
Cushions and Throws
There’s no better way to enhance the comfort of a space than by including cushions and throws. You can take the time to sit back and relax on your outdoor couch surrounded by comfy cushions and with a fluffy throw over you to keep yourself warm. This can also make less comfortable furniture more comfortable, as you can use the cushion and throws to add to the cosiness.
Colour Scheme
Colourful home decor should be one that invokes feelings of relaxation and comfort if you want a relaxing patio. Shades of blue, green, pink and white are all proven to enhance relaxation, so incorporating them into patio design can have a positive impact on our emotions, minds and bodies. Reds and yellows should be avoided, as these colours make us feel energised rather than relaxed.
Water Feature
The sounds of flowing water can be extremely relaxing with some people even playing water sounds to help them fall asleep at night. Patios make for the perfect place to include a water feature, as it should be a place you want to relax in. If you’re limited in space, you can choose a small fountain or look for furniture that has built-in fountain features. Flattening out any uneven ground with roller hire solutions is a great start for this, as you can then start your water feature on an even surface.
