5 Patio Essentials for Designing the Perfect Backyard

Most homeowners see their backyard as just a space with just trees, grass, and sunshine. 

On the contrary, whether you want to host a barbecue on a Sunday afternoon, enjoy the sunset while sipping sweet tea, or simply spend quality time with your friends on a warm day - a well-designed patio is the perfect place to do it all. 

Here are five patio essentials that’ll help you transform your backyard into a defining element of your home:

Living & Seating Space

The first thing you should focus on is an element that makes the patio functional, liveable and organic, i.e. seating space. 

Your outdoor living space is an extension of your indoor living space, which means you should give as much time and attention to the exteriors of your home as you would to the interiors, and your patio furniture is a reflection of that. 

There are many things to consider when choosing patio furniture, but the important thing to remember is that it's not just about how the furniture looks; you have to consider the quality and durability too, as outdoor furniture is prone to damage due to sunlight and weather.

Outdoor Kitchen and Food Prep Space

If you plan to host barbecues or parties in your backyard, then you’ll need an outdoor kitchen too. 

Ideally, your outdoor kitchen should be easily accessible from your indoor kitchen because you’ll need to pop in now and then while cooking outdoors. 

However, a whole outdoor kitchen might be more than what you want or have space for. In that case, you can have a small bar counter to prepare food, along with a grill to prepare a feast for your friends or family.

Umbrellas and Accessories

The whole point of sitting outdoors is enjoying the natural environment, but sometimes you need shelter from certain elements, too, like the scorching sunlight on a Saturday afternoon. 

With the help of a designer, you can create shade and wind protection that blends seamlessly into the overall design of your landscape. This can be done with umbrellas, strategically planted trees, a fully covered patio, or an elegant sunshade.

This way, you can enjoy your outdoor space even the weather isn’t ideal. Plus, what’s better than watching the rain from your gazebo?

Integrated Lighting

Integrating subtle lighting into your landscape can have a considerable impact. Not only will it make your outdoor space more functional, but adding subtle lights will also give it a beautiful touch.

There are different types of integrated lighting, and each of them has a different impact. For instance, twinkle string lights make the area feel cozy and warm. On the other hand, decorative overhead fixtures add an element of art to covered patio spaces and are the perfect finishing touch.

But if there’s one thing common between all these lights, it’s that they revamp the look of your outdoor space and give you one more reason to fall in love with your home!

Fire

Whether you just want to enjoy a good book outdoors or it’s your time to host the weekly game night, you’ll need a fireplace to extend the day and make your space more comfortable.

A fireplace is usually the centre of any outdoor space at night. It's a great way to get everyone together, cozy up under a blanket if the weather is brisk, and enjoy some s’mores or play a fun game.

Depending on your space and budget, you can opt for a portable fire pit or get a proper one integrated into your landscape. 

Takeaway

Creating a functional and liveable outdoor space is not much different from an indoor one. Keeping these ideas in mind will help you design a space that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come. 

Have other ideas in mind? Let us know in the comments below!