What You Need to Create the Perfect Backyard Patio

Every summer, you spend lots of time outside, enjoying the shade and the warm weather. Doesn’t that always make you wish that you could have your dream patio? Whether you are working on your new home build, renting, or renovating your existing home, there are certain things you should know about creating a backyard patio. Here are a few features that you’ll want to include in your patio plan to make sure it turns out to be the perfect hosting and party space.

Landscape Your Yard

When planning your patio design, the first thing that you’ll want to do is to come up with a plan for your yard landscaping. Landscaping can include anything from trees and shrubs to water features and paths. Your landscaping should not only look beautiful but also be functional. Your shrubs and trees should provide ample shade, especially if you’ll be gathering regularly outside. It can also be fun to include a garden in your landscape design, such as fruit trees and vegetable plants. Make sure that you plan a landscape design that will work well in your yard and not feel too simple or too crowded. Once your landscaping is in place, you’ll be able to continue with the rest of your patio plan.

Paint the Exterior

Once you’ve finished landscaping your yard, you’ll want to make sure that your home is in tip-top shape. One easy way to do this is by painting your home’s exterior. It is a lot easier to paint your home darker than lighter, but be sure to test how your paint dries before making a drastic color change. If you don’t want a full color change, try going for something a little more rustic and natural-looking like a limewash. This will help some of the natural colors of the stone, brick, or stucco to show through while still getting a trendy, lighter finish.

Add a Seating Area

Whether you plan to gather with your family on your patio or host large parties, you’ll need to invest in some outdoor seating. There are many different types of outdoor seating, so you’ll want to browse different styles and research which kind of furniture you’d want. Before you buy your seating furniture, make sure that you have sufficient space for the furniture that you’re interested in. If this means that you need to add a deck or extend your concrete patio, make sure you do so before you bring in your seating.

Hardscape the Ground

Speaking of extending your concrete patio surface, the next part of creating a great patio is hardscaping your ground area. There are a couple of different options for hardscaping, including asphalt, concrete, bricks, and stone pavers. Concrete paving is more expensive than asphalt because it has to be laid down thicker. Pavers or bricks are fun options because they can be laid out in various shapes and can be used to create patterns.

Exterior Lighting

Once your patio is landscaped, hardscaped, and prepared, you’ll be ready to add some exterior lighting to your space. Outdoor lighting is so important because it not only allows you to enjoy your patio for extended hours but can also affect the aesthetic and mood of the area. There are many different options for outdoor lighting. Draping exterior light bulbs are a trendy and festive look, especially if they are hoisted over your deck or threaded through a pergola. Spotlights can illuminate entertainment spaces such as basketball courts and pools. Motion-sensor lighting can also be beneficial if you have kids or pets running around in the yard. You could even include an outdoor fireplace or fire sconces to provide light and warmth during the colder months of the year.

Outdoor Furniture

Another important part of planning the perfect patio space is including outdoor furniture. As previously discussed, it is very important to include sufficient space for seating, but you’ll also want to consider the many different options for outdoor seating. If you find that you’re usually lounging and visiting on the patio, invest in comfortable patio furniture such as couches, chair swings, and loveseats. If you’re often playing games and dining on your patio, try to find a nice, big outdoor table with matching chairs that will provide you with the perfect spot for these activities. As you consider your uses of the patio, you’ll be able to narrow down the patio furniture options to something that will fit your lifestyle.

Entertainment Features

In addition to picking the perfect furniture for your lifestyle, plan to include certain entertainment features that you might want. For example, if you enjoy listening to music or dancing on your patio, you might want to install some outdoor speakers. If you like watching television or streaming your favorite shows while relaxing outdoors, think about installing a TV under your deck covering. You may enjoy grilling and cooking outside, and if so, you could include a built-in grill and outdoor counter for preparing and serving food.

Add Finishing Touches

Once you’re almost ready to enjoy your patio, don’t forget to add some nice finishing touches. This could include anything from pretty decorative touches such as trendy pillows and throws to centerpieces. You can use these decorations to add fun pops of colors and coordinate your color scheme. You can also incorporate more natural decorations in the form of succulents, flowers, or small plants. Even though these finishing touches may seem unnecessary, they’ll perfect your space.

Now that you know each of the elements that you should include in your patio plan, don’t lose any more time. Make sure that you start on your project now so you can enjoy your dream backyard as soon as possible. As you’re designing your patio space, make sure that you keep each of these suggestions in mind, but personalize them so your patio is ideal for your lifestyle and personality. Once you’ve finished your perfect patio, you’ll never want to leave it!