We’re in the middle of another hot summer in the Washington, D.C. area, which means it’s officially patio season. There’s nothing quite like kicking your feet up and enjoying the fresh evening air with a cold glass of iced tea in your hand. Sometimes patio design can suffer from being an afterthought to your interior design, but you should try not to fall into that trap. The perfect patio can give you a place to entertain guests and escape from the common stresses of everyday life. If you currently find your patio a bit lacking, or are looking for good ideas to transform this outdoor space, here are a few tips to get you started.
Enhance your space
Make it an extension of your interior design.
Crafting your patio as an extension of your interior style gives your entire property a more cohesive feeling. So, try to use complementary colors and the same design principles. For example, if you have oak furniture in the house, try to incorporate oak into your patio furniture or decor. If you have a rustic style inside your house and a modern feel on the patio, it will clash and feel jarring.
Turn up the heat.
Fire is something that instinctually feels “right” outdoors. Friends and family alike will love gathering by the fire on a summer night to catch up or tell old stories. There are many ways to go about this, including gas fireplaces and wood-burning fire pits. No matter what you prefer, having the option to sit down next to a fire and relax is sure to be enticing.
Incorporate nature.
One of the key benefits of being outside is having the opportunity to interact with nature. So, don’t make your patio feel sterile and lifeless. Utilize hanging planters, potted plants, ivy or vines, birdfeeders, and neutral color palettes.
Light the scene appropriately.
Even if you decide to have a fireplace or fire pit, they won’t be able to light your entire patio sufficiently. Use the fire as accent lighting, while you install lanterns, tasteful LED fixtures, string lights or an outdoor chandelier to provide adequate illumination. Additionally, make sure that your bulbs aren’t the “bright white” kind. They should have a color temperature under 3000K to more accurately mimic the inviting orange glow of firelight. Bright white bulbs are on the bluer side of the spectrum and come off as harsh and artificial, which is something you want to avoid in patio lighting.
We hope you use these tips along with your own unique personal design preferences to craft something special. A perfect patio leads to great get-togethers and lasting memories, so don’t neglect it.
Craftmark Homes has been a premier homebuilder in the Washington, D.C. area for over 27 years, and many of our floor plans include patios of various shapes and sizes. If you’re looking for a new home in a terrific community, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll go over your options and get you into your dream home.