Written by Kiley Morrow
Your patio is an outdoor slice of heaven for your home. You host parties, spend time with friends and loved ones, and make cherished memories on warm summers long into the night and cool fall evenings as the nights grow shorter.
Three-fourths of us enjoy our patios for relaxation, while two-thirds of us socialize with family and friends on our patio regularly.
Make the most out of your outdoor space with these eight tips to creating a cozy patio.
1. Add All-Weather Furniture
All-weather furniture for your patio can be wood, wicker, or metal. Wood or metal must have a protective coating on them to prevent degradation due to rain, cold, and pests. Similarly, outdoor cushions must be made of a material suitable for the outdoors that repels moisture, dries quickly, and prevents mold growth.
There are all kinds of things you can do with outdoor patio furniture. You can purchase sets of four chairs and a table for dinner parties. Loungers, loveseats, and chairs come in entire ensembles that mimic the layout of your living room for ultimate relaxation on a warm night.
2. Light Up Some Torches
Tiki torches are popular adornments for patios because they provide a natural source of light while adding a romantic ambiance to the setting. The actual torches usually sit on the end of long metal poles that are secure in the ground, and the torches themselves run on a specialized flammable liquid.
As with anything that uses flames, take safety precautions. Have a water source nearby, like a garden hose, in case the wind whips up a spark or two. If the area is too dry from lack of rain, forgo the torches until plants return to their green color.
3. Brighten With Artificial Lights
You have a few options here. String lights have been a popular choice for decades. They create a soft glow around any overhangs or gazebos, or they can weave in and out of your furniture or plants. String lights may remind you of winter holidays, like when you have strings of Christmas lights on your tree. Choose LED string lights to save on energy and replacement costs.
Artificial, battery-powered lanterns also add a nice touch. Many models come with a remote control so you can easily turn them off as you head in for the night. Again, LED lanterns will glow the brightest and use the least amount of battery power.
4. Grill, Baby, Grill
Nothing says party on your patio like a grill. Whether you go all-out with a tri-level gas grill, fancy some slow-smoked ribs in your professional-grade smoker, or simply have your old charcoal grill for roasting wieners and burgers, a grill enlivens any patio. Add your culinary skills, and you’ve got a dinner party that can last for hours.
Make sure you clean up any food bits that may drop from your grill onto the patio. This can attract bugs, which will make your outdoor paradise unseemly. You don’t want any uninvited guests at your picnic.
5. Plant Some Life Out There
Outdoor plants enliven any space. Whether you prefer flowering plants, aromatic herbs, miniature palm trees, or pine shrubbery, you have plenty of options.
Consider a row of shrubbery to form a natural border with your yard. Potted plants are nice to have as a centerpiece for your table, while larger pots can go in an empty corner of your patio to add a splash of color. Any trees you plant next to your patio will provide shade eventually.
6. Unroll an Outdoor Rug
Outdoor rugs come in any style, shape, size, and color you can think of. Choose one that complements the style of your home, forms a cohesive look with your patio furniture, or creates a splash of color that draws people’s attention.
7. String Up a Hammock
Sometimes, you just want to lay back and relax in the great outdoors. In fact, sleeping outdoors can help your brain rejuvenate, enhance your mood, and help you to handle everyday life more effectively.
String up a hammock on your patio using the two sturdy metal poles that come with it. Then tip your straw hat over your face and take a nice, cozy nap at the wind rocks you to sleep.
8. Protect Your Guests With a Gazebo, Pavilion, or Roofed Structure
The ultimate backyard structures protect you, your family, and your guests from the rain and wind. Install a gazebo, pavilion, or other roofed structure. Sturdy construction, varied materials, and a range of sizes give you many selections based on your space and style.
Full shade structures keep you out of the sun and rain while allowing breezes through.
Mesh keeps bugs out, while privacy screens let you have quiet moments or outdoor campouts with a medium-firm mattress.
A heavy-duty structure adds value and beauty to your property while increasing your enjoyment and relaxation. Talk to us about your options for upgrading your patio. You can install a new structure in a day with the right help!
