A patio is a paved outdoor area adjoining your house and often used for dining, relaxing and lounging. A patio can be made of concrete, large paving stones, bricks or gravel. A patio is not a porch, deck, veranda or lanai because it doesn’t have a roof and it can be built on ground level.
A well designed patio can add value to your home and make it more enjoyable. Before you start spending money on new furniture and other accessories, decide what you want to do with the space and how you’ll use it. For example, if you plan to entertain guests and have dinner parties, then you’ll need a table and chairs. If you want to lounge in the sun, then you’ll need some cozy cushions and maybe a fire pit or a canopy.
Once you’ve determined your goals, determine the size and dimensions of your patio. Then start sketching out layouts on paper or cardboard to test different setups. This will save you the back-breaking work of moving your pieces around and it can also help you see how a new layout will look.
Once you’ve figured out how you’ll use your patio, choose furniture that will suit the space and the type of decor you like. Identify whether you lean towards modern minimalism, rustic charm or something more eclectic and then select a color palette to create a cohesive aesthetic. You can also coordinate your furniture with the surrounding landscaping to bring the outdoors in and make the space feel more integrated with the rest of your yard.