There’s little better than taking some time out for yourself and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, and when your home is blessed with an inviting outdoor area, this can provide you with that much-needed breathing space.
Perfectly positioned patios can provide the ultimate spot for relaxation outdoors, when the sun is shining and the blustery winter weather has disappeared, and can provide a welcome sanctuary for you to recline, dine, host gatherings and enjoy time with family.
Whether you’re looking to invoke summer Mediterranean vibes or create a comfortable space that can double up as a living area year-round, we have a whole host of ideas to inspire you to create an outdoor oasis that you’ll never want to leave. From styling to practicalities, we take a look at five ways to take your patio from average to amazing.
A modern, serene oasis
Invoking poolside vibes from your favoured Ibizan beach club, your serene oasis will be filled with loungers, a day bed and sofas in a contemporary design. And if you have the pool to match, even better! Though you may not have a glamorous waiting service to hand you cocktails at any given moment, your cool, chic paradise will create a laid-back space for you to sun yourself and relax when the weather permits.
Use cooler tones with your patio slab choice and dress up the space up with a patio umbrella to shade yourself from midday sun, such as those from Midtown Umbrellas, while an outdoor heater and elegant water feature (if you’re not lucky enough to have a pool) will complete the space perfectly.
A classic Italian-inspired setting
If you love the uniformity of a classic Italian-style garden and you’d like to recreate this look within your own outdoor space, then you’ll be pleased to know that this is very possible. An Italian renaissance style garden, originally seen in Florence and Rome, has been a big influence on the rest of Europe for centuries and were designed for contemplation and pleasure, perfect for your new patio.
Uniform and symmetrical, the use of neatly trimmed and ornately designed hedges, sculpture, water features and terraces can easily be replicated in your home. Use climbing plants on stone pillars, stone water features, uniformity, and add a dining set that evokes this classic style and surrounding hedges to complete the look.
An explosion of colour
Some like to opt for a cool and clean space, but for many a garden is there to embrace the natural surroundings and add pops of colour and fun to their outdoor living areas.
Being surrounded by a range of plant life and watching the bees, butterflies and other insects enjoy the flora as much you do can be a welcome sight, so fill up a range of plant pots with your favourite plants and watch them flower as the spring and summer seasons get into full swing.
There are a good selection of evergreens that aren’t actually green and those that will flower early in the year, so if you like to look outside and revel in the range of colours outside all year-long, then this could be a good option for you. If taking care of plant life isn’t your thing, then add permanent pops of colour with seat cushions, a painted fence, or even a mural on a wall or fence.
An outdoor dining destination
If you’re passionate about food – dining out and also creating delicious cuisine that wouldn’t look out of place on a restaurant menu – then your updated patio could pay homage to this.
Consider installing an outdoor kitchen where you can house your top-of-the-range barbecue, a pizza oven, sink, fridge and preparation area. Ensure you have suitable cover overhead and also a dining area to fit you, your family and all of the guests that will no doubt be inviting themselves over at any given moment.
A welcoming, cosy spot from day to night
When day turns to night and the sun disappears for another day, you’ll likely want to keep the party going, so make sure that you set up some lighting – solar powered is an ideal option here – as well as some heating. A corner lounge set with a table and also a hanging egg chair provide comfort all day and night, while comfy cushions, blankets and an outdoor rug will add a comforting homely feel whether you’re relaxing alone or you and your guests are having too much fun for it to end.
