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If you have a patio, you should consider yourself lucky. Not many people are able to enjoy an outdoor space like that in their own home. You, on the other hand, have a place to eat lunch outside with your family during summer, a place to host get-togethers and parties with friends, and a perfect intimate and romantic setting for a date.
Right now, your patio is a mix of different potentials. The only way those potentials will become realized is if you actively try to transform your patio into something amazing. You and your family deserve a relaxing retreat where you can enjoy spending time together, bonding, and just being yourselves. These tips will help you transform your patio into the retreat you always wanted to have.
1. Work on privacy
Keeping your patio private will definitely make it more relaxing and comfortable. You won’t have to worry about everyone seeing what you’re doing and keeping up appearances for your neighbors. There’s nothing more annoying than constantly feeling like you’re being watched just because you have no way to hide.
Investing in the privacy of your patio is definitely the way to go. You can do this by adding curtains. This will make the patio more stunning while also shielding you from the view of others. The curtains can go with your patio any way you want them to. In other words, you can choose the colours and the fabrics as we all know curtains are available in many different patterns and colours.
If you feel like this isn’t enough, you can always opt for a privacy screen. This will add some old-timey charm to the patio as well as keep you hidden from view. If you’re aiming for a vintage and rustic atmosphere, the privacy screen is just the thing you need. One other benefit is that you can always paint it differently if you want to change how something looks. As well as that, you could hang some plants on it and turn it into a functional piece of furniture instead of using it just for keeping yourself out of view.
3. Use the power of lights
One of the best things you can do to introduce serenity to the patio is to add some snazzy lights. The kind of lights you opt for depends on the kind of atmosphere you’re trying to create, as well as on the style of your patio.
If you want something rustic and cute, opt for fairy lights. You can hang them across the patio to create a charming and private atmosphere you’ll simply adore during the evenings. A more sophisticated and modern style calls for more modern lights that can easily be put on your patio fence, for example.
If you’re feeling extra creative, you can always buy an actual lamppost and place it on the patio. This can help create a unique design that everyone is going to be fond of. It will be like having a piece of the street all to yourself.
If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with candles. Nothing spells intimate, quiet, and romantic like a few scented candles. They’re perfect for relaxing evenings by yourself or for those heart-to-hearts with your friends or SO.
4. Patio plants
Flowers and plants are wonderful additions to any home and to any patio. They make the area feel cozier and warmer while still keeping things fresh and introducing an air of relaxation. There’s nothing more comforting than being surrounded by nature when you’re in your own home. Decorating your patio with plants and flowers can turn it into an escape from the city. You won’t have to spend money on weekend getaways and trips just to get away from the dirty air outside when you can simply sit on your patio.
What kind of plants you get depends on what kind of effect you’re trying to achieve. If you’re looking for maximum Zen, you should choose something green. This color is very good for the eyes as it lets them rest and will relax your thoughts and mind immediately. If you’re feeling creative, you could turn to Japanese culture for inspiration and turn your patio into an ultimate Zen retreat. In this case, choose plants like bamboo and bonsai.
On the other hand, if you want something more playful and exciting, you can add some fragrant flowers to your patio. Flowers come in all shapes and sizes so you’ll get to decorate your patio to your tastes and preferences. Don’t be afraid to play with colour patterns either. With flowers, you’ll easily create a lively space that your family and friends will love.
5. Comfortable furniture
There’s no way a patio can be considered relaxing if there’s no relaxing furniture on it. A patio is only worth as much as the time you can spend on it, laid back in a comfy chair with your feet on the coffee table. Both you and the company you have over will enjoy the soft and plush furniture that makes you want to stay outside for hours.
When choosing patio furniture, make sure you’re looking at the outdoor collection. As you’re already investing in your patio, you might as well opt for the furniture that can withstand harsh outdoor conditions. Durability is as important as comfort because you don’t want your furniture to fall apart as soon as you bought it.
As well as that, durability means that the level of comfort will stay the same throughout the years. It might be tempting to buy cheap furniture just because it’s somewhat comfy and better for your budget, but the truth is, you’ll just end up shopping for furniture every few years. This is an unnecessary expense that you could easily get rid of by investing in high-quality and comfortable furniture right away.
6. Add some shade
You could work on your patio all you wanted and it still wouldn’t mean anything if you didn’t add some shade. We all know how harsh the weather can be, regardless of if we’re talking about the heat of the sun or the annoyance of the rain. Adding shade will definitely make things more comfortable and protect your patio from the conditions outside. There are different types of shades you can opt for, but perhaps the most convenient is the curved retractable pergola.
This is because, unlike with other shades, you’ll have the option to adjust how much shade or sun you want. So, if you enjoy having a little sun in the morning but don’t want to sit in the heat in the afternoon, you can adjust your pergola accordingly.
This gives you complete control over how you use your space and definitely adds a whole new dimension of comfort. Let’s not forget that the pergola will also give you the desired privacy when you need it. Your neighbours don’t have to know you’re having company over and you can freely enjoy an evening with a loved one.
The shade is also going to protect the furniture and other decoration on your patio, as well as the patio itself. This is because space isn’t going to be exposed to rain or harmful UV rays. Both of these conditions generally deteriorate the quality of furniture and make the colours fade.
7. Stereo sound
Outdoor stereos are becoming increasingly popular as people realize that they don’t have to limit themselves to listening to music indoors. It’s always a good idea to add speakers outside and create a surround sound system that both you and your guests will love. This is a good idea regardless of if you’re an introvert or extrovert.
Those who want to enjoy their patio in peace can now do so with a glass of wine in their hand and some relaxing jazz in the background. Your speakers will drown out the annoying noise in the background and create a private and relaxing ambiance you won’t want to leave.
In case you feel like having people over, you can use the surround system to change the ambiance and mood of the evening. More private get-togethers will have softer music playing in the background, while lively gatherings will have something more upbeat. If you’re having your OS over, you can play something romantic in the background and take the evening to the next level of relaxation.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many things you can do to make your patio look amazing. It no longer has to be just a blank space that you don’t know what to do with. These ideas will bring out the full beauty of your space. As well as that, you’ll have a whole new area of your home that you can use and enjoy in unique ways. Your friends are bound to be impressed with what you’ve done with space, too. Overall, transforming your patio and redecorating it is a win-win situation that will only bring serenity and joy to your family.
Emma Williams is an Australian writer with a master‘s degree in business administration, who has a passion for anything lifestyle and design related. She spends most of her time redecorating and participating in house projects. As a great nature lover, her biggest pleasure is spending time in a small cottage by the river.