You don’t need additional space to create a pocket of heaven in your home. With a little creativity, you can turn that extra space into a charming outdoor lounge. Get tips and inspiration from homeowners and interior decorators in designing your patio. Check out these 10 gorgeous designs.
Bring on the earthy feeling
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Do you know that wooden materials have positive impact on your health? According to a study released by environmental group Planet Ark, students in a classroom with wooden desks and wooden paneling had “better academic outcomes, better heart rates, better stress-related concerns.” Choose wood patio furniture such as timber chairs and coffee tables that are perfect for tropical climates.
Relax on hanging chairs and hammocks
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Turn your patio into a genuine area of relaxation. Hammocks and hanging chairs are affordable outdoor furniture options for you. Brew hot tea, bring a good book, and you’re off to a laidback weekend.
The more greenery, the better
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Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year, Greenery, into your patio design. “Illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors, the fortifying attributes of Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate,” the color authority said. Complement the charming brick works in your patio with greenery chair foams. Add a glass-top coffee table to complete your outdoor living room.
Beauty in simplicity
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There are endless choices for your patio furniture, ranging from lounges to foldable chairs. Do you have limited space for a living room set? No problem. A foldable chair-and-table duo can transform your mini patio into an appealing space. Surround yourself with low-maintenance flowering plants. Some of the beautiful tropical foliage that can also purify the air includes the wandering jew, phalaenopsis orchid, geranium, and jasmine.
A vertical garden in your urban patio
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Space is an issue in urban areas. However, this shouldn’t discourage you from having a functional patio of your own. Turn your condominium balcony into a “secret garden” by building a wood pallet to hold vegetation. This vertical garden can also be your source of fresh herbs and vegetables. This is good for your health and the environment. Plant basil, cilantro, mint carrots, garlic greens, and tomatoes.
Wood backdrop and seating
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How to make your small patio feel bigger? Garden London Club suggests using fences in western red-cedar for the backdrop and reclaimed timber for the seating. Aside from creating an illusion of space, wood furniture and décor can also improve air quality. According to Planet Ark’s Brad Grey, exposed wood releases moisture into the atmosphere on a dry and hot day, and absorbs moisture on a damp day. “So when you’re sitting in a room, it actually helps to moderate the air around you,” Grey says.
Spend time in your patio, boost your mental health
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Don’t know what to do with the extra space in your backyard? Transform it into a gorgeous patio for your outdoor meetings or get-togethers. Studies show that outdoor spaces such as patios and gardens have positive impact on dementia sufferers. According to findings, these open areas provide a sense of focus and normality. Adding plants can also lower anxiety and stress levels. Bring out an outdoor dining table, install wooden couches with soft cushions and throw pillows, and mount a string of LED bulbs.
A minimalist’s patio
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Can you pull off a minimalist patio? Definitely. Minimalism is about simplicity of form and color, but it’s nothing boring. “The fewer elements your design includes, the less chance they are to go out of style or lose their trendiness,” says designer Mary Stribley from Perth University. Whether you’re designing your home or a webpage, keep in mind the basic rule of minimalism: less is more. Use monochromatic color palettes, reduce details until you’re left with “what’s necessary,” and focus on functionality and timelessness.
Let the zen flow in
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Courtyards are essential parts of a traditional Japanese home. Basically, these spaces can be designed in two ways: the hakoniwa or the “box garden” and the tsuboniwa or the “pot garden.” A tsuboniwa, which is more common, is simply a garden within a small, enclosed space. It features rocks, potted plants, water basins, and stepping-stones. According to Japan Guide, each element symbolizes nature. Large stones represent mountains and hills while smaller rocks and gravel signify water forms. Small ponds, which denote lakes and seas, sometimes provide home for koi fish.
Mini library in your patio
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Cicero once said: “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Why not combine both in your patio? If you have an open patio, build enclosed bookshelves to protect the books from rain and humidity. You can also repurpose old mailboxes, drawers, and dressers. For an enclosed patio, you can create bookshelves out of wood planks or reuse wine crates as magazine holders. You can also check out furniture sale in your local stores for bookcases. Stretch your imagination!
This year, redesign your home to integrate small packets of nature. You can turn your condo balcony into a charming patio with flowering plants. If you have extra space in your backyard, you can transform it into an outdoor living/dining area by putting together the right furniture. Experts suggest that wood furniture benefits human health and protect the environment. Explore minimalist designs, Japanese garden concepts, and outdoor libraries. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun while creating your patio—your personal patch of relaxation.
Jeanette Anzon, Blogger