When the days get longer and the evenings get warmer, there are very few things better than spending time outside, enjoying a delicious meal with friends and family, and experiencing everything Mother Nature has to offer. A beautifully designed and stylish patio area will turn your home into the ultimate entertainment space.
While there may be plenty to consider when designing and building your dream patio area and vital decisions to make before you can buy outdoor and patio furniture, creating the perfect outdoor entertainment space will instantly transform how you experience and enjoy your home.
Things to Consider
Before jumping into designing and building your dream patio space, there are a number of key factors worth considering to ensure you create a stylish and functional space you love and enjoy for years to come.
Stone vs. Wood
One of the biggest decisions you will need to make before building an outdoor patio is whether to use natural stone or wood as the base of your design. Natural stone paving offers a timeless style that has been a popular favourite for decades. It guarantees visual interest, as each natural stone has its own unique set of features and appearance.
The beauty of stone is that it ages well over time, stands up very well to the environmental elements, and looks fantastic regardless of the weather outside. It works with a wide variety of home styles and furniture, allowing you to switch up your planting and garden furniture as often as you like without having to worry about whether your overall design will complement or clash.
In comparison, wooden patio designs are ideal for bringing a stunning organic and natural aesthetic to your space. If you are after the appearance of wood but are concerned about the maintenance and fragility that come with wooden structures exposed to natural elements, wood-effect porcelain paving may be the answer you are looking for.
It offers all the same benefits of innovative paving, including being waterproof, slip-resistant, stain-resistant, frost-resistant, hard-wearing, scratch-resistant, and strong while maintaining natural wood's beautiful and stylish appearance.
Patio Zones
Dividing your outdoor space into segmented zones will create a multi-functional area that your entire family can enjoy separately or together. Some homeowners get carried away with the idea that they need to pave their entire garden space for maximum functionality, but this isn’t always the best option.
Instead, select a portion of your back garden to remain grassed. Not only does it provide space for your children to play outside, but the natural element perfectly complements the paved patio and provides extended practicality. The remaining area can be paved with your chosen material, creating space for outdoor entertainment or simply bathing in the sunshine.
Your Home’s Personality
In order to ensure continuity and cohesion between your home and outdoor spaces, it is crucial to choose patio styles that are a reflection of your home and family life. Every house has a unique personality, and the design decisions you make when creating your dream patio space should echo it.
If your home is warm, cozy, and comfortable, selecting cold and dull modern grey slabs to recreate a contemporary patio design will make it look disjointed and out of place. Choose ideas that feel natural to you and complement your personal style.
Design Ideas
Transforming your outdoor space into a stylish and functional patio is a fantastic way to enhance your home's overall enjoyment while adding significant value to your property.
Bohemian Paradise
Explore your fun and creative side by infusing your patio space with the unique, eclectic charm of Bohemian style. Mix and match colourful and earthy shades and fun patterns through layered textiles like rugs, throw blankets, and scatter cushions for an incredibly cozy and inviting feel.
Complete your design with rustic hanging lamps, bright and bold fringed poufs, and plenty of low-maintenance hanging plants to bring the grounded and natural charm of this timeless style to life.
Coastal Oasis
Whether you live by the ocean or simply enjoy the peaceful and relaxed nature of seaside towns, transforming your patio into a coastal oasis will provide you with a tranquil slice of paradise in the comfort of your own home.
Incorporate peaceful shades of blue and white into your furniture and decor pieces, including nautical accents and finishes like rope details and driftwood. If you are lucky enough to have the ocean nearby, select sturdy, weather-resistant materials that can withstand the salty sea breeze.
Meditteranean Escape
Instantly transport yourself to the sun-drenched shores and rolling hills of the Mediterranean with an outdoor patio space inspired by the region's timeless beauty. Choose a colour palette filled with warm, earthy tones, such as olive green, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and deep reds.
Dot a variety of terracotta pots filled with your favourite herbs and small flowers and complete the space with a showstopping centre focal point like a large tiled mosaic table and benches or a small garden fountain.
Family-Friendly
If you enjoy regularly hosting your friends and family, creating the perfect patio area for social gatherings will only amplify your next event. Choose durable and easy-to-clean furniture and materials that can withstand the perils of food and drink. Designate sections for dining, play, and lounging to allow everyone to enjoy the space together while doing exactly what they want to do.
Should space allow, include features like a small outdoor kitchen and bar area and plenty of cozy seating to turn your patio into the ultimate entertainment space for your family to enjoy throughout the year. Install a built-in barbeque or small pizza oven, include a bar cart or outdoor refrigerator for drinks and snack foods, and finish the space with string lights or a fire pit.
