Patio Ideas

My husband and I went to the Home and Garden Show last weekend to look for patio ideas.  While the displays were fewer than in the previous years (I’m assuming because of the economy), the ones that were there, were beautiful.

This has always been a favorite look of mine — a simple farmhouse table and loosely strung lights.  It has such a casual elegance to it — so beautiful.

This was a beautifully landscaped water feature — so realistic you would swear you were in the woods by a babbling brook.  The sight of blooming flowers always makes my heart long for warm weather.

If you are saying…wait what?  That’s what I was saying too!  ha.  I guess this was for the husbands…

Here are some additional outdoor spaces to inspire you ~

When you plan your outdoor space, think of it just like you would an indoor space in terms of seating, flooring, lighting, color palette, and accessories.  This example, from HGTV, is right on target.  The seating is grouped into three distinct areas, a conversation area as well as a bar and eating area – just like you would see in a family room/kitchen setting.  The color palette is brown, orange, black, green and white.  A graphic pillow fabric is revisited in the seat cushion that tops an ottoman for extra table seating.  Decorative lighting comes from the orange paper lanterns as well as tabletop candles.  The lush landscaping is enhanced with additional lighting.  The rich wooden deck is topped with a graphic area rug to further define the seating area.  A multipurpose space that is amazing!

This patio, from designer Ashley Astleford, is a great example of incorporating an unexpected element.  Take a look at that ceiling color!  Wow!  I love the jewel tones throughout this design.   Again, the furniture is grouped into a conversational area.  The color scheme is well defined and the lighting is provided by beautiful lanterns.  Notice how none of the furniture matches and yet it all works.  To unify the space, the designer took the hot pink color and used it in the artwork on the walls and then carried it over onto the cushions on the seating.    Very nice.

This design, from HGTV, follows the same concept as we saw in the first picture.   The space is divided into three areas, the bar, the eating area and the conversational space.  The main focal point of this patio is the pool and fireplace.  Notice the color palette is simple, red, warm brown and stone.  The seating area is defined by a rug and the lighting is provided by the fans above and table lanterns.  The wood tones on the ceiling wrap the room in warmth.  Every surface in this space provides texture.  Love it.

Here is a scaled back approach to outdoor living.  As you can see, everything in this picture is really rustic and mismatched.  By introducing a bold, graphic, rug into the space, and keeping the color palette simple, the homeowner created an inviting, cozy spot to enjoy those balmy summer nights.

We have a few more days (months) before our warm weather starts, but just looking at these pictures, makes me feel like it is right around the corner!