If you have a patio or deck that isn’t quite living up to its potential, there are plenty of things you can do to breathe some fresh life into your outdoor space.
Just like your home’s interiors, the exterior of your home needs some TLC and attention to help it look and feel inviting. Not only can sprucing up your patio or deck add some extra space for relaxing or entertaining, but it will also encourage you and your loved ones to spend more time in the fresh air – and this will not only benefit your mood but your health as well.
Relaxing outside should be a pleasure you can enjoy throughout the year, and if your outdoor area isn’t inviting, here are some wonderful – and often very cheap – additions you can make to transform it into an al fresco nook that you never want to leave. Read on to find out more.
You can also invest in some stunning outdoor plants in vibrant pots, placed strategically around your deck or patio, to add fresh life and colour to the space. You will be surprised what a variety of shapes, textures, hues – and scents! - you can find in the plant world, with so many options that are just perfect for the patio.
From decorative pots of fragrant culinary herbs, to spiky succulents, and the tall and angular forms of cacti, tree ferns, and dragon trees provide an eye-catching focal point. As for colour, you can add a rainbow medley of vibrant hues with pots of pelargoniums, begonias, tulips, and roses.
All you need is a comfortable and stylish outdoor patio bistro set in metal, wood, or rattan – or perhaps more than one if your budget can stretch to it. Shade the tables with umbrellas, hang some romantic fairy lights, and you have an outdoor bistro you can dine at whenever the urge takes you.
Fire pits can make a stylish and functional addition to any patio space, and because there are so many different options available, from smaller fire baskets to sizeable pits, it should be easy to find a design that suits your tastes and budget. You can even find tabletop fire bowls these days, which can be turned on with the mere flick of a switch, saving any messy struggles with wood or briquettes.
Whichever fire pit design you go for, you are sure to enjoy the romance of the flickering flames and the starry skies above – and if you have kids, they can savour plenty of delicious marshmallow roasting at any time of year.
Another benefit of these multipurpose screens is that they can protect your outdoor furnishings from the elements, thereby saving you money in the long term. They are also easy to use, operating at the click of a button, so even children can easily open or close them depending on whether they want more sunlight or shade.
There is a wide range of outdoor soft furnishings for you to choose from, so you can select the colours and designs that suit your preference, and your furniture. From cushions to tablecloths and even outdoor rugs, the choices are endless.
For a sultry feel, swap your worn slabs for dark and lustrous porcelain pavers that offer a charming combination of elegance and rustic beauty. Deep, moody hues are bang on trend right now so not only will your patio look sophisticated, it will also be very fashionable.
Alternatively, for something a little more fun and light-hearted, you could opt to lay crazy paving on your patio, using different coloured paving stones for a truly eye-catching effect.
Of course, if crazy paving is a little too outré for your tastes, the rustic charm of cobblestones could be right up your street and will lend a bucolic beauty to any outdoor area.
For instance, nature lovers may wish to opt for a leafy little pond with stones, ferns, and water lilies. This kind of water feature can sustain local wildlife as well as provide a treat for your eyes and ears.
On the other hand, families with young children may want to transform a portion of their patio into a splash pad with squirting fountains and cute and quirky decorations. This kind of water feature is not only lots of fun, but it’s also safe for little ones.
Just like your home’s interiors, the exterior of your home needs some TLC and attention to help it look and feel inviting. Not only can sprucing up your patio or deck add some extra space for relaxing or entertaining, but it will also encourage you and your loved ones to spend more time in the fresh air – and this will not only benefit your mood but your health as well.
Relaxing outside should be a pleasure you can enjoy throughout the year, and if your outdoor area isn’t inviting, here are some wonderful – and often very cheap – additions you can make to transform it into an al fresco nook that you never want to leave. Read on to find out more.
Introduce Some Funky Foliage
It’s amazing what a transformation you can achieve with any space simply by filling it with some eye-catching plant life! If you would like to create a jungle or forest vibe in your outdoor space, consider installing a pergola and covering it with a fragrant climber such as honeysuckle or wisteria. Even a simple trellis can work wonders and doesn’t cost very much to buy or install.You can also invest in some stunning outdoor plants in vibrant pots, placed strategically around your deck or patio, to add fresh life and colour to the space. You will be surprised what a variety of shapes, textures, hues – and scents! - you can find in the plant world, with so many options that are just perfect for the patio.
From decorative pots of fragrant culinary herbs, to spiky succulents, and the tall and angular forms of cacti, tree ferns, and dragon trees provide an eye-catching focal point. As for colour, you can add a rainbow medley of vibrant hues with pots of pelargoniums, begonias, tulips, and roses.
Create Your Own Mini Bistro Area
Alfresco dining is one of life’s simplest and sweetest pleasures. While you may not be able to afford to dine on restaurant patios very often, you can certainly dine on your own any day of the week, once you’ve transformed your patio into your very own inviting little bistro!All you need is a comfortable and stylish outdoor patio bistro set in metal, wood, or rattan – or perhaps more than one if your budget can stretch to it. Shade the tables with umbrellas, hang some romantic fairy lights, and you have an outdoor bistro you can dine at whenever the urge takes you.
Heat Things Up With A Fire Pit
When the seasons change, the long, dark nights begin to draw in and the temperatures drop, introducing some crackling flames to your outdoor area can have a strong mood-boosting effect – not to mention it can help to warm you up!Fire pits can make a stylish and functional addition to any patio space, and because there are so many different options available, from smaller fire baskets to sizeable pits, it should be easy to find a design that suits your tastes and budget. You can even find tabletop fire bowls these days, which can be turned on with the mere flick of a switch, saving any messy struggles with wood or briquettes.
Whichever fire pit design you go for, you are sure to enjoy the romance of the flickering flames and the starry skies above – and if you have kids, they can savour plenty of delicious marshmallow roasting at any time of year.
Retractable Screens For Privacy And Protection
If you have a large outdoor area that lies in full sun, and you want the option of some shade and privacy, this can easily be achieved by installing a solar screen. This range of roll screens allows you to enjoy your outdoor spaces throughout the year, without having to worry about strong sunlight – or even troublesome insects, which can be a particular hassle during the summer months.Another benefit of these multipurpose screens is that they can protect your outdoor furnishings from the elements, thereby saving you money in the long term. They are also easy to use, operating at the click of a button, so even children can easily open or close them depending on whether they want more sunlight or shade.
Focus On Soft Furnishings For A Cosy Feel
New additions to your outdoor space don’t necessarily have to be pricey or even particularly big. The simple introduction of some high-quality soft furnishings in a range of textures, colours, and patterns can liven up the dullest and most neglected outdoor areas and transform them into a cosy haven.There is a wide range of outdoor soft furnishings for you to choose from, so you can select the colours and designs that suit your preference, and your furniture. From cushions to tablecloths and even outdoor rugs, the choices are endless.
Swap Your Paving
It can be easy to overlook the importance of attractive paving but the truth is that swapping your boring square grey or brown paving stones for something a little snazzier can make a world of difference to your patio.For a sultry feel, swap your worn slabs for dark and lustrous porcelain pavers that offer a charming combination of elegance and rustic beauty. Deep, moody hues are bang on trend right now so not only will your patio look sophisticated, it will also be very fashionable.
Alternatively, for something a little more fun and light-hearted, you could opt to lay crazy paving on your patio, using different coloured paving stones for a truly eye-catching effect.
Of course, if crazy paving is a little too outré for your tastes, the rustic charm of cobblestones could be right up your street and will lend a bucolic beauty to any outdoor area.
Add A Whimsical Water Feature
water features are not only beautiful to look at, but they also provide a soothing soundtrack to your al fresco relaxation. Whether you have the budget and space for a flowing stream, complete with a fountain and perhaps even some ornamental koi carp, or just enough space for a small decorative feature, there are so many choices to consider.For instance, nature lovers may wish to opt for a leafy little pond with stones, ferns, and water lilies. This kind of water feature can sustain local wildlife as well as provide a treat for your eyes and ears.
On the other hand, families with young children may want to transform a portion of their patio into a splash pad with squirting fountains and cute and quirky decorations. This kind of water feature is not only lots of fun, but it’s also safe for little ones.
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