Make the Patio the Coolest Room in Your House

Make the Patio the Coolest Room in Your House

Memorial Day weekend is just behind us and that means that summer is officially here! If you’re looking forward to spending as much time outdoors as we are, you should make sure your patio is in top shape.  Whether your desire is to dine, entertain or lounge, patios are the perfect place to retreat and enjoy the weather. With a little attention you can turn your patio into a true extension of your home, both in function and design. Here are some easy things you can do to your patio to get it summer-ready:

Light it Up
Lighting is a “must do” for outdoor areas like patios. The right lighting will give it the ambiance that makes it a truly special place to be even well into the evening hours. You can string lights across the patio for a magical feel, or if that’s not for you, some outdoor lamps or more traditional landscape lighting will do the trick.

 

Go with the Flow
It’s equally important to consider traffic flow when you’re organizing your outdoor spaces as it is for indoor areas. If your access to the patio is through the kitchen, put your grill and food prep area closest to the house so you can easily transport food in and out.  If your patio is off the living room, it’s great to extend that living room feeling into the outside with another conversation area. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in the backyard, try to set it up so that guests coming inside from the pool enter through a room with tile floors instead of carpeting.

 

Go Green
Most people know that a patio begs for plants. Make sure you choose plants that add not only color but also different textures. Have a variety of plants of varying heights-  some flowering and some just green.  Though it’s a simple ingredient, plants really do make a huge difference in the overall feel of your patio.

 

Add Some Warmth
If your patio doesn’t have a built-in fireplace, a portable or semi-permanent fire pit can be a great solution and will add a cozy ambience for your outdoor gatherings. People just tend to relax and settle in around a fire, and it can be the perfect backdrop for those long conversations on the patio or deck.

 

Build an Outdoor Kitchen
If you’re hosting a party on the patio, people need to eat. So having some sort of outdoor kitchen space is a must. Some custom homes have an entire kitchen built into the patio. But if not, you’ve got to figure out a way to create a kitchen space around a simple grill. People will always gravitate to the area where the food is, so make sure to create a large enough space to accommodate them. Make some seating areas and include a big, galvanized tub full of ice and drinks.  Be sure to have enough tables on hand for seating as well as serving the food.