4 Easy Ways to Get Your Patio Ready for Summer
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and your patio is practically begging you to come outside and put it to good use. But before you host your first summer BBQ or pool party, you want to get that patio in tip top shape. Luckily, you won’t have to do a complete overhaul to make your outdoor space the envy of your friends and neighbors. Here are four easy ways to make your patio look great this summer.
1. Lighting
You don’t want to the party to end when the sun goes down, so outfit your patio with a festive lighting plan that highlights your décor. Outdoor lighting should be bright enough to see faces and complete tasks, but not as bright as indoor overhead lighting. The right lighting can create a mood. Want a romantic vibe? Pair pretty outdoor lanterns on tables with twinkle lights strung around nearby trees trunks and branches. Looking for a more festive mood? Hang globe string lights, creating a ceiling of lights across the patio. For patios with an overhang, overhead lights and fans, combined with on-table lights will create a breezy and flexible lighting scheme.
2. Rug
You may be hesitant to place a rug outside where it will take on so much traffic and weather, but special outdoor rugs are made to withstand the elements. An outdoor rug will bring color to your seating area and help define a larger patio’s space. Find a rug you love and use it as the inspiration for your patio color palette. For a natural outdoor vibe, choose a beautiful woven rug. Want a bright, tropical feel for your patio? Find a bright, leafy rug to center your space. Keep in mind when pricing that outdoor rugs will typically only last a season or two.
3. Seating
Whether you’re hosting a neighborhood potluck or Monday night cocktails with a few friends, you want a seating arrangement that makes your guests feel comfortable but doesn’t overwhelm your patio space. Storage benches topped with comfortable cushions along the edges of a patio will ensure ample seating for big parties. An outdoor sectional arranged around a low coffee table creates a comfortable, intimate vibe. If you love eating outdoors, a long table surrounded by mismatched chairs makes for a fun and eclectic look. If you have a larger patio, arrange chairs or other round rattan garden furniture into several distinct seating areas.
4. Greenery
Adding plants to your patio will make your patio feel inviting and help it blend with the rest of your outdoor space. You can go as simple or elaborate as your green thumb will allow, just be sure to choose plants that require the amount of sun your patio provides. Think of greenery on your patio like you would accessories inside your home. Container-grown trees and grasses provide texture and visual height to small patios. Large containers of lavender will create a beautiful wildflower look and make your patio smell amazing. The choices are endless, and remember that the containers can provide just as much visual interest as the plants themselves.
Your patio is where you spend some of your best moments of the summer. By creating a beautiful lighting scheme, tying it together with a rug, providing ample seating, and decorating with lush greenery, you’ll have the perfect patio backdrop for all of your summer fun.
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