18 Design Ideas for a Comfortable Patio
Make the most of your patio space by prioritizing comfort and design. It is certainly possible to earn A+ marks in both.
Design entertains ideas about aesthetics, decor, and personality, while a cozy patio furniture set ensures you use your patio.
A homeowner who leans too heavily towards design may need to provide more reasons to attract and keep themselves out on the patio.
Here are some design ideas for a comfortable patio that you can put to use.
Extend Your Home
A comfortable patio should be easy on the eyes. Treat it as an extension of the property already there.
Build it in a similar colour, with similar materials, and somewhat matching the architecture or interior design elements of what’s there.
Shaded Area
Install a patio cover so you always have somewhere to retreat when the weather is unfriendly or the sun is beating down.
Vertical Garden
Erect a lush vertical garden wall to economically fill a portion of your patio with herbs, flowers, and greenery. This is best done with wall-mounted planters, trellises, or tall plants that grow up to cover most of the area.
Cozy Patio Furniture
Without cozy furniture, you can’t enjoy a warm, inviting day or night on the patio. Ensure there’s enough seating to go around. Consider individual seats or a sofa or couch with enough space to settle in and relax.
If you have a large number of guests, plan. Ensure there is enough comfortable seating and patio furniture for everyone to enjoy. Browse a furniture store to explore different items that match your ideal style.
Privacy Walls
Decorative privacy walls can create boundaries on your deck or obscure the perspective of neighbours and individuals in surrounding areas looking in.
Warm String Lights
After the sun goes down, flick on a set of warm, strong lights or warm Edison bulb lights. You will instantly upgrade your atmosphere to something cozy and ambient. If you can, dim your lights slightly and mix some candles in safe spots for added warmth.
Outdoor Rug
Don’t like the feel of your patio underneath your feet? Try an area rug. An outdoor rug can add colour and comfort to your patio while visually pulling a space together.
Light the Path
Consider ambient lighting along pathways to and from your patio. The same type of lighting may serve the perimeter as well. This can be string lights, sconces, pendant lights, solar lights, electric candles, or other types of lighting.
Multiple Levels
Consider a patio with multiple levels depending on how much vertical and horizontal space you have around your home. This can be as simple as a step or two down or climbing a ladder to a separate second story.
Outdoor Kitchen
Upgrade your average BBQ to an outdoor kitchen. A compact grill, workstation, and kitchen storage space work. Grill and cook while staying on your patio for a complete outdoor dining experience.
Entertainment Hub
Add a flat-screen TV or projector to your patio arrangement to convert your outdoor space into a movie theatre. Should you go this way with your patio, pair it with a nice set of speakers and a snack station, complete with popcorn, chocolates, and candies for you and your guests to enjoy.
Backyard Pool
A backyard pool will keep you locked to your patio come summer. Enjoy a quick dip in your swimming pool whenever you like to cool down and cool off, no matter what the temperature is outside.
Pond
Another excellent use of water is a fishpond. This may be the best way to bring some wildlife up close and cultivate a natural feel to your patio. Feed the fish and then sit with them.
Install a Firepit
A firepit table can be lit up on a chilly night and add a warm glow to the patio. It’s a natural gathering space and focal point around which you and some guests can converse and enjoy each other’s company.
Try to Find a Matching Set
Always aim for matching patio furniture. This isn’t a game of chaos. For most homeowners, it will eventually bother them if they don’t have a perfectly matching set to start with.
High-Quality Fabrics
Some fabrics used on patio furniture are rough on the skin. Find a fabric that suits you. If you find what you have on your furniture uncomfortable, balance it with soft throws and blankets that you can take indoors afterward.
Add an Outdoor Fan
If the wind is not blowing, turn on your fan. An outdoor fan is the perfect accessory for a pergola or shaded area on your patio.
Mark Out Zones
Especially with a large patio setting, create zones—such as a dining area, lounge area, cooking area, etc. This will help differentiate the space and make it easy for guests to know where to go.
