Making your Patio Charming and Beautiful

After a long cold winter and as days grow warmer and longer, more and more time will be spent out on your patio. A comfortable patio environment will make sitting outdoors even more enjoyable. Whether you are on a budget or shopping higher end there are endless possibilities.

Here are a few ideas on ways to set up your patio to make it charming and beautiful.

For the small patio or balcony: The first thing is the furniture. You need to choose patio furniture that fits the size of the patio area. Café tables or a bistro set are great idea for a small area. A bar table and patio bar chairs are another great idea for saving space and having a comfortable patio. You need to also add a few potted plants and other favorite outdoor design elements like wind chimes and birdhouses for a perfectly quaint patio.

For larger patio setting: There are many great options. Here we are going to break it down to a covered patio or one without a cover.

In a covered patio a few chairs of differing styles, including comfortable chairs like a chair and ottoman as well as a chaise lounge chair or two for lying down and relaxing. Another great idea is a hammock. They can be hung from the corner of the patio and covered with blankets and pillows to make it a truly comfortable outdoor seating. Here you could have some hanging plants around the perimeter as well as some larger pots of plants or even small trees to give the space a sense of walls and its own space.

For an outdoor patio without cover there are many great choices for patio umbrellas that will coordinate with your outdoor patio furniture and theme. Chaise lounge chairs on an uncovered patio are great too for soaking up some sun. An outdoor grill can be incorporated into the outdoor patio and will provide hours of entertaining. Here as well you need some color to add interest and life. This could be done with flowers planted in a surrounding flower bed as well as the potted and hanging flowers as before. Enjoying the outdoors is so much more pleasant when surrounded by beautiful flower beds.

When choosing your patio furniture there are many types to choose from. Some of the decisions will depend on personal preference and how the furniture will be used. For patio furniture that will cost the least, resin or aluminum patio furniture is a great idea. This furniture however breaks down over time and does not stand up well. For less durable but still elegant options, wicker patio furniture is a great option. It looks great but can be fairly expensive. If you take care of it and bring it in during the winter and cover it when it is not being used it can give you years of use. Wood patio furniture is my favorite and here the two top choices for durability and longevity are cedar and teak. Cedar has natural resins that make it great for standing up to the weather and last a long time and is very cost effective. Teak is the premium wood for outdoor furniture. Because of its natural resins it stands up the longest and stays looking great for years. It too is a little more expensive but because it lasts so long it may cost the least in the long run. When you add cushions to your patio furniture it gives you added comfort which is important if you are using your furniture frequently. Cushions can also add color and style to your patio.

Whenever you purchase anything and patio furniture is no different, choose what you want. Spending your money on something that you quickly will be dissatisfied with will only cost you more in the long run. Make sure it fits your personality and style. With a little design savvy and a few personal touches, your patio will be an area you never want to leave.

Charming Patios “by the yard”