Every single person has a stress outlet, an activity they engage in to relax and unwind. Some go to the gym a few times a week, and others enjoy yoga. Some have a reading nook in their home, while others enjoy painting or writing. Nevertheless, there is an area of every property that can be turned into a relaxing retreat that everyone will enjoy.
That’s right. We are talking about the patio in your backyard. You would be surprised to learn how easy it is to transform it into an oasis of peace and quiet. Even the smallest patios can be transformed. In the following article, we will provide you with some decorative and practical ideas on how to do this.
Spring cleaning
Yes, it is that time of the year. Generally speaking, people tend to hoard old furniture and items they don’t use over the winter, and they usually move them outside, where they won’t be in their way. However, when the spring brings warm weather, and you want to enjoy it outside, you have to get rid of this junk.
So, the first thing you have to do is to declutter the area. Start by throwing away bulky pieces of furniture, and then move to those boxes filled with items you haven’t used in ages. If these are still in proper condition, you can organize a yard sale or donate them. On the other hand, if they are broken, toss them away. Yes, this can be time-consuming since you will have to sort all the items, but it will be worth it once you are done.
Furniture shopping
Now that you have a clean patio, it is time to do some shopping. Obviously, furniture should be at the top of your list. Nowadays, you have many options, so it may be a good idea to understand what you need exactly before hitting the stores.
Firstly, you probably want something that is super comfortable. After all, you will spend the next few months there, and the last thing you want is to have to take some of the indoor furniture outside.
Next, you have to consider the size of the patio. If it is quite small and you go with large pieces, it may end up being cluttered, and you may be forced to step over some pieces. On the other hand, if the area is large, and you purchase small pieces, it will seem empty, and it won’t be aesthetically appealing.
Finally, think about the number of people that will use the patio. Do you want to create something only for yourself? On the contrary, do you want to organize gatherings with your close friends? This matter may seem irrelevant, but if you want to invite a lot of people over, you will have to accommodate all of them. It means that you will need extra chairs or an outdoor couch. Similarly, if you want to throw dinner parties, you should think about getting an expandable table. These are extremely convenient since they can be elongated to sit a large number of people, and when not used, they can simply be transformed into the original size. What’s more, according to RemarkableFurniture, these come in numerous sizes and colors, so it will be easy to find the one that matches the overall design of your property.
Light it up
Once you have purchased and arrange the new furniture pieces on the patio, it is time to think about the lighting. Obviously, you don’t want to go with something that is too bright. These fixtures will not only ruin the relaxing outdoor atmosphere, but they will probably attract bugs and mosquitoes that can be quite annoying.
Due to this reason, our advice is to go with something more subtle. Go online and look for outdoor lighting. You can opt for small pendant lights you can hang around. Furthermore, you can choose some candle-like bulbs, and place them on the table, all around the edge of the patio. Lastly, you can opt for lanterns and hang them on trees or install them across the backyard.
Don’t forget about the flowers
Yes, there are numerous items you can use to decorate the space, but flower beds and pots are the absolute best when it comes to a backyard. If you have a green thumb, it is just another reason to go with these and turn the decoration aspect into a DIY project.
There really are no limits when it comes to flowers and plants. Naturally, you should go with ones that can improve the aesthetics of the area, and maybe those that don’t require a lot of care if you know you won’t be able to devote a lot of time maintaining them.
You can grow a small spice garden in one corner, place flower beds all over the backyard, and of course, don’t forget to add some pots to the patio. If you are a handy person, you can build sort of a shelf or ladder and let the plants grow vertically.
Ensure privacy
While on the subject of plants, you can also use them to boost the privacy of your patio. The last thing you probably want is to go outside and have your neighbors watch you while you are trying to unwind. Growing tall plants is the perfect method to ensure this doesn’t happen. Once again, if you have a large patio area, you can arrange them there, while on the other hand, if you don’t want to sacrifice this space, you can place them in the yard, next to the fence.
Add a splash of color
One of the best ways to improve the appearance of your backyard is to include colors. Naturally, you don’t want to go overboard because, after all, it is an outside area, meaning that you should try to keep it as natural as possible. Still, this doesn’t mean that you can’t go with details in vibrant shades, such as furniture cushions, a tablecloth, and even all those flower pots we talked about. Still, at the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preference, so you can choose to create a colorful jungle-like look or, on the other hand, go with something more natural and subtle.
