What happens when you step out your back door? Is there an inviting backyard oasis to relax and entertain in, or is there a searing concrete slab that everyone avoids? You don’t have to invest thousands of dollars to create enjoy your backyard patio (unless you want to). There are plenty of ways to design a wonderful backyard getaway as close as your patio. If you do nothing else with your patio, at least consider adding some color and interest with a couple of patio containers of flowers like geraniums or petunias.
Made in the Shade
No one wants to bake in the hot, searing sun in the summer when manning the grill or reading the latest summer bestselling novel. Enjoying some backyard downtime is much easier with some shade. Most budgets can withstand an investment in a patio umbrella or a shade sail over the lawn furniture or lounge chairs. Get creative with some light-colored, heavy duty canvas strung up over your favored outdoor seating or over your grill. If you’re handy with tools and diy projects, consider building a pergola or partial shade structure for protection from the hot summer sun. However you decide to do it, creating shade helps you get the most out of your backyard space.
Take a Seat
Jacksons Home & Garden said, “Make sure you can get comfortable on the patio by providing outdoor seating.” You don’t have to break the bank to have the best patio seating around. Wooden planks on top of sturdy crates or thick logs make great bench seating, especially if topped with lawn furniture cushions. Wooden Adirondack chairs are great for relaxing after a hard day’s work or weekend yard projects. A hammock and stand will beckon you for summer naps. Or splurge on cast iron or rattan chairs to suit your mood. Seating gives people a way to spend some time in the open air and adds interest and usefulness to a patio space.
Bug Off
Bugs can really bug you outside in the summer, but don’t let them ruin your patio time. Make sure your backyard isn’t a breeding ground for bugs like mosquitoes or other critters by eliminating any standing water. Get a bug zapper and use outdoor fans on the patio to enjoy a bug-free space. Planting lemongrass and other bug-repelling herbs like rosemary, lemon thyme, and mint gives you a triple play of attractive landscaping, bug repellent, and a source of culinary plants.
Let There Be Light
Extend the usefulness of your outdoor patio with lighting to enjoy through the evening all summer long. String patio lights, install solar yard lights, and use spotlights on landscape display specimens or features like fountains. Tiki torches pushed into the ground at the corners of the patio serve double duty by providing light and keeping the bugs away.
Get Fired Up
Add fire to your patio for dramatic or romantic effect. A simple open fire-pit is just a hole in the ground ringed by rocks or bricks, or a steel table to burn a few logs. Built-in fire-pits become a central focal point of the patio area for roasting marshmallows or hot dogs or simply gathering around a crackling fire. Whether you want a simple natural stone or steel structure or an elaborate fire table, fire adds that extra spark of excitement to your summer space.
Get the most out of your backyard space. Plan how you want to use your patio, and add features to complement activities and uses. If you primarily want to relax on the patio, shade and a few chairs with a wind chime or two may be enough. If you want to cook, eat, and entertain outside, you may want to consider building structures like a pergola or grill shelter and a fire-pit.
Don’t let your backyard space be an empty concrete slab. Whatever you have in mind for your backyard patio, seating, shade, and bug control are basic features to start with to be most comfortable and enjoy your patio this summer.
