The Perfect Patio

Nothing says summer quite like sitting outside with family and friends listing to burgers sizzling on the grill. Just about everyone enjoys the food and fun that comes with grilling. Make your backyard the perfect summer retreat by transforming a frequently neglected space into a hot place to host all of your summer social events; your family will love having a beautiful oasis in their own back yard, and your friends will love having an awesome place to hang out this summer.

Just like the rest of your home, your patio should reflect your lifestyle and taste. To plan a patio that you will love for years to come, everything from the furniture you place on your patio, to the plants you choose to cultivate should point back to the styles and ideas you love.  If you want your patio to transport you to a tropical paradise, pick light colored wood furniture, brightly colored cushions at all ends of the color spectrum, and have a lot of lush plants in patterned pots surrounding your space. If you like nautical styles, choose wrought iron furniture mixed with dark wood pieces, classic navy or read and white striped cushions, and coastal plants like allium, bleeding heart, and poppies. For a more refined look, stick with wrought iron furniture, cream cushions, and plants like gardenia and fuchsia.

Because your patio furniture doesn’t have the benefit of a roof to protect it, you need to shop carefully. You typically won’t have to worry about outdoor wear and tear on grills- they are designed for cooking outside, after all- careful shopping is still recommended. Wood furniture should have a coat of water resistant primer over all parts of the piece- not just on the most exposed sides. If wrought iron furniture is painted, you will need to watch out for chipping after repeated exposure to the elements, and should be treated to delay this. While cotton cushions are comfy, for outdoor use, synthetic fibers tend to last longer, and don’t mold.
 
​When you finish designing your patio, you will have another room in your home, perfect for spending warm summer nights in.