Choosing A Look For Your Patio

By Clive Morris


It's amazing to watch just how much the public consciousness changes over time, especially when it comes to design aesthetics. What was popular and common 20 or even 10 years ago might be tacky or outdated today. And there is a very distinct line between retro and just plain outdated. For most people who have lived in a home for a long period of time, the interior design has usually been updated a piece or two at a time, with certain items being replaced as they become old or broken. This can lead to a somewhat random design made up of a hodgepodge of different styles. It can be a surprise just how much a consistent plan and style can tie a room together and set a mood. This is true of outdoor areas as well, which is what we'll take about here.

More and more, peoples' outdoor space have evolved into a living area. While in times past, people have used their backyards for entertaining and relaxation, recent times have shown more of a shift in focus toward using them as actual living spaces with as much of a function as any room in the interior of the house. Instead of just using them for the occasional barbecue or picnic, modern families tend to have more features in their outdoor areas, such as fire pits, areas for lounging and reading, simple games and even outdoor projection screens for movie nights during the summer. Modern backyards are often much more than a simple patch of grass or garden. They can be as much a feature of the home as any room.

Any good interior designer will stress the importance of deciding on and maintaining a common style throughout the house. This is just as true for the outdoor areas. To begin the process, closely examine the color scheme and architecture of the home's exterior. You will want outdoor furniture and features that complement that look. You may choose to keep the look consistent with the design inside the house, but it is not always possible to do so without clashing with the exterior of the house. Keeping the outdoor look consistent is the most important priority. It is completely understandable if the patio has a design scheme separate from the interior.

For an inoffensive, versatile option, wicker can be used to great effect on a number of different styles and themes. It usually has naturally muted tones that do not clash with other designs and a refined look that is much more classy than plastic patio furniture. To match the color to a design scheme, you can usually find cushions in the color you are looking for.

For families who own pools, you might decide to theme your outdoor area around that. You might pick some subtle island or nautical designs, such as a tiki bar and torches. Just keep in mind that taking a theme too far can make your area look cheesy.

Many people choose instead to cultivate a modern look both inside and out. Artistically-shaped furniture with solid, bright colors are often used to this effect. Another direction you could go is to have shiny, stainless-steel structures and glass or stone surfaces.

Many beautiful yards, decks and patios integrate natural-looking features into their design. Proper placement of natural stone fixtures and features, like ponds and waterfalls, can work wonders to transform a decent-looking backyard into a spectacular one.

You have numerous options when it comes to designing an amazing outdoor living area. If you keep a steady plan in mind, it will be that much easier to capture something truly amazing.




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