The perfect patio isn’t just a fun space to hang out outdoors – it’s also an extension of your home. Building the perfect patio is just as much a labor of love as designing the interior of your house. From flooring to colors to furniture, paying attention to the little details and making sure they coordinate with each other and the rest of your house is crucial to creating the outdoor living space of your dreams. The possibilities are endless, but here are a few of our favorite trends for designing the perfect patio.
For years, natural stones (such as flagstone), poured concrete, or lackluster manufactured dry-cast pavers were the only real options for the base of a patio. However, these options, with their drab colors, left much to be desired. And with the rise of clean, modern interior design, homeowners wanted something clean and modern to bring outdoors too.
Enter wet-cast concrete pavers. These pavers are made in a variety of colors, including crisp, modern whites and sophisticated grays, and can add a bit of sophistication and flair to any patio. And if you go with a FireRock handmade concrete paver, you get the added benefit of a high solar reflectance index, which means your patio will be naturally cooler underfoot.
A great patio should serve as the transitional space between the rigid structures of your home and the natural disorder of the great outdoors. You shouldn’t try to make your patio all straight lines like the inside of your home, nor should you try to make it random like nature. Instead, strike a balance between the two extremes.
An easy way to do this is through the patterns you use in your patio. For example, instead of laying pavers using a traditional running bond or stacked bond, choose a pattern that is a bit more freeform. A 7-piece random pattern is a great compromise – it gives your space a randomized feel that is still held together by order.
Every living space needs a focal point, and patios are no exception. If you’re working with a smaller space, a fire pit might be a great option for you. Or, if you have a larger area, you might want to consider building an outdoor fireplace. Incorporating a fireplace into your patio creates a natural divider between the patio and the rest of your backyard, while still offering plenty of visibility and open space. When done well, an outdoor fireplace will feel like a natural extension of the patio, rising up to define the space, without feeling intrusive.
At its most basic, a patio is a concrete slab or paved area adjoining your house. But if you’re going for the perfect outdoor living space, you shouldn’t stop there. Consider adding a durable covering, such as a pergola or gazebo, to your patio. Incorporating a patio covering will help you beat the heat by providing full or partial shade to the area during the hottest season of the year. This will extend the usable lifespan of your patio as well by protecting both the flooring and the furniture from the elements.
No patio is complete without a little bit of greenery. You can use creative landscaping to add shade, block out unsightly fences, and create a cozy, insulated space. Or if you don’t want to go all out with full landscaping, consider using a variety of potted plants to bring color to your patio. Either option is an effective way to define your outdoor living space and separate it from the rest of your backyard.
Once you have these larger elements in place, you can furnish the space with accent colors and patterns that round out the design and bring your personality into your outdoor living space. With these tips you’ll be able to enjoy your patio throughout the year, day and night.
