Once summer is in full swing, your backyard or patio will instantly be one of the most-used parts of your home. It’s time to enjoy the pleasant weather and spend more moments outdoors. If you have kids, the more-relaxed schedule being off school allows a lot of opportunities to play in your yard. For parents, this means sitting by the patio, watching them have a good time while relaxing.
That is, of course, if you have a patio that makes relaxing even possible in the first place. If it’s not any of that; unfortunately, even the pleasant weather won’t be enough reason for you to enjoy your backyard finally. Beyond the typical cleaning your patio deserves, consider this an opportunity to make additions and patio enhancements for a more livable and inspiring space.
Here are a few ways to breathe new life into your patio without burning a hole in your budget:
Install Outdoor Roman Blinds
Patios are always an excellent add-on to your home, but depending on the weather, there’ll be days when spending time in that outdoor space doesn’t make sense, mainly when it’s too hot. If you live where the summer heat can get too overbearing, it’s a good idea to install outdoor Roman shades on your patio if you haven’t already installed one.
First, they’re functional. They block the sun, so you can still relax. You don’t have to keep yourself cooped indoors because of the weather. Second, they’re also aesthetically pleasing. Outdoor Roman shades come in many varied designs, so you must find one that fits your patio’s overall style or theme.
Use All Weather Furniture
Even if your patio has a roof, using all-weather furniture is the safest (and most practical) choice for an outdoor space. Think of this as an investment in the long run, where you don’t have to bother about the wear and tear this time. Even with a roof, exposure to the outdoor elements can age other types of furniture significantly, where, in a few years, you’ll be itching to invest in new pieces. It isn’t the most budget-friendly route to take.
All-weather furniture offers long-lasting pieces that withstand any climate. Moreso, there’s no worrying about closing up your patio or covering the furniture when the rain comes.
Add Some Dramatic Lighting
Just like in an indoor space, lighting instantly enhances the look and feel of any space. There are string lights, hanging tree lights, and any other type of yellow-hue dramatic lighting on your patio that does precisely that.
Adding enough lights serves a more functional than aesthetic purpose, too. Like shades and the roof, there’s no spending enough time on your patio if, when dusk starts to come, you’ll be rushing inside because your outdoor space is short on lights.
Aesthetically, there’s that resort-like feel and ambiance dramatic lighting bring. Hang these from the patio ceiling or a tree branch—light candles on the center table. String lights and hanging tree lights are just a few examples of how to illuminate your patio, transforming what would’ve otherwise been a dark and dull space into a beautiful and inviting area at night.
Build A Calming Water Feature
If the space permits, you can also use one side of the patio as the foundation for a calming water feature. It is often possible in gardens where your patio is beside a concrete fence. No matter how narrow, there’s always a way to build a water feature on the wall. When it’s done, you’ll indeed have an oasis.
The sound of the water is very relaxing. Highlight this with lighting, and that, by itself, can serve as an accent to your patio.
Cozy Up With Throw Pillows And An Outdoor Rug
If your patio has a roof, take advantage of that to go all out with all the final touches to your space. Cozy up with throw pillows, as these add depth and dimension to your outdoor couch while making it more comfortable.
An outdoor rug ties everything together, as it would in your living space or dining area. Like all-weather furniture, if you search well enough, some home suppliers also now have all-weather throw pillows and rugs, so you don’t have to worry about wear and tear as well.
Have A Fire Pit
This sixth suggestion is best suitable for families with young children or those who live where winter weather can get unbearably cold. If you need shade from the sun, you’d need some warmth from the cold, too, even if you’re relaxing on the patio.
It’s where a cozy fire pit comes to save the day. Kids (and kids at heart) will enjoy gathering by the patio and roasting smores by the fire pit at night. It also keeps you warm, so you can continue relaxing for family time, even when it’s cold. Now you can say hello to more bonfire nights with the family.
Top With A Pergola
For patios without a roof, building a pergola is another excellent idea. It’s on the higher end of projects on this list. However, it’s still relatively affordable, given the vast array of ready-made pergolas available in many home depots and hardware stores.
Pergolas are great, as they give some shade without necessarily closing the entire space, as a roof does. It’s perfect for those who prefer to have a bit of sun exposure on the patio.
Decorate With Plants
Your backyard may already have an abundance of greenery, but this doesn’t mean your patio can’t have a few. Plants are always pleasant addition in any space, be it indoors or outdoors.
And, because it’s on your patio, you can increase the decorative feel by being more intentional with your choice of pots and planters. Go beyond the usual brown clay or plastic pots. Colored ceramic planters are elegant and stylish, adding pops of color here and there to your patio.
Final Thoughts
With the ideas above, you can transform your patio into the most inspiring space in your backyard. There are bigger and more expensive transformations, but starting small is fine if those are out of budget. Sprucing up a space requires attention to minor details, so every bit matters. Start by looking at your patio and see which of the suggestions above it can benefit from doing. No matter your garden landscaping idea, your patio becomes an inspiring space to gather, entertain, relax, and enjoy al fresco dining.