You Ask, We Answer: How Can I Make the Most of My Outdoor Patio?
How you arrange the outdoor patio can go a long way to creating the perfect space for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the summer. From where to place your fire pit to how to creatively divide eating and seating areas, the art of arranging furniture, plants, and lighting can all play an important role. If you’re wondering how to make the most out of your outdoor patio, keep reading. We’ve got some helpful hints to keep things cozy and welcoming, all summer long.
First, consider the style of your home
The first step to making the most of your outdoor patio is to consider the aesthetics of your Connecticut home. Classic New England colonial? Flagstones, Adirondack chairs, and pops of color in your planters pull together a charming look. Sleek, modern home? Think about monochromatic plantings, bluestone pavers and streamlined, urban-chic furniture.
If you’re not sure what style your home is or what look you want to create on your outdoor patio, use the tools available to you for inspiration: Instagram, Pinterest, and of course, magazines. Create “vision boards” of textures, colors, styles, and layouts that really resonate, and above all, that make you feel excited about the space. After all, while there are recommendations for how to make the most of your outdoor patio, the most important thing is that you’re creating a space you and your family will actually use during Connecticut’s summer months—and beyond!
Next, create sections
This may be the most important part of creating a patio you love. Creating sections helps divide your patio up into “rooms,” which makes it feel like an extension of your house. Some areas to consider: A fire pit area, if you’ll have one; an eating area; an additional seating area. Consider entertaining and how you’ll utilize the space with numerous guests gathering outdoors. Perhaps you want a couch and some chairs where people can gather as a group, or maybe you want two chairs off to the side where more intimate conversation can take place.
In addition to seating, which naturally breaks up a space, you can add planters or make use of an existing wall or shrubs to frame out your patio “rooms.” Once you’ve landed on the layout, you can further define each area—and its purpose—by adding side tables, outdoor lanterns, and even rugs to really pull things together for a cohesive look that still highlights the definition of each area.
Light it up
Don’t forget to light up your patio for the ultimate cozy look! Whether you string up lights overhead or along a fence, install permanent lighting fixtures along a fence, or utilize solar pathway lights to define the perimeter of your patio, lighting goes a long way in creating a vibe that makes you want to linger outdoors. Plus, good lighting is a safety feature. You don’t want people tripping as they move about your patio! If you prefer less permanent options, invest in some outdoor lanterns and battery-operated “candles” to create a soft glow. They add instant coziness, help light your space, and prevent the risk of fires that exist with real candles.
Add some climate control
Last but not least, take into account Connecticut’s steamy summer weather. If you’re fortunate enough to have some trees throwing shade during the heat of the day, great! But if you don’t, consider investing in a patio umbrella that can be moved as the sun arcs across the sky. Or, consider a sail shade for a chic, shade-enhancing option.
Another great investment for your outdoor patio? An outdoor fan that keeps the air moving. Bonus: Not only will it provide some much needed air flow during those humid days, but fans can help keep mosquitoes away at night.
Last but not least, have some outdoor blankets on hand for when the temps begin to drop as we move into fall. After all, once you make the most out of your patio, you’re not going to want to head inside anytime soon!
