As the remnants of winter dissolve into a brand new season of refreshment and renewal, it’s the perfect time to update your home’s outdoor living space. With a variety of styles available for every preference and lifestyle, there’s no limit to the creativity your space can express. See the images below to help you get a feel for your own outdoor décor and patio style, then check out our tips on how to create these fun spaces, just in time for spring.
Cool Weather vs. Warm Weather Outdoor Spaces
Whether the climate you live in is crisp and cool or sunny and warm, you can still take advantage of the versatility of your outdoor space with these different patio designs.
Cool Weather Outdoor Space
Cool Weather:
If you live in an area that receives frequent showers, or has cool winter evenings such as the Bay Area or Denver, consider a covered patio style to protect your space from the natural elements, and use roll-up window shades that can be easily unfurled on cooler nights to trap in warmth. To create visual intrigue, install a variety of light sources throughout your space—for example, mix overhead lights with an outdoor fireplace and some table lighting to add more dimension and an inviting touch. To dress up the space, cluster a group of lanterns together, drop some tea lights into mason jars, or create a potted succulent garden for a patio table centerpiece.
Warm Weather Outdoor Space
Warm Weather:
If you can enjoy your outdoor space for the majority of the year in places like Southern California or Florida, set up your space in the blissful open air, complete with outdoor patio furniture and wide, cushioned seats. A fire pit and soft throw blankets can create a relaxing mood, and outside lights strung over your space or wrapped around your patio umbrella can complete the effect. To save space, find an ottoman or outdoor coffee table with storage room inside, allowing you to quickly stow away your seat cushions in the colder months and avoid dealing with bulky chair covers.
Large Gathering Space vs. Intimate Connections
An outdoor space can serve many different needs, whether you’re inviting a large group over for a party or catching up with a small circle of friends.
Large Gathering Space
Large Gatherings:
To enhance your patio design for large gatherings, install a built-in outdoor grill to an all-in-one convenient space for prepping and cooking. Keep a mini fridge stocked with beverages and all your perishable barbecue foods, and make sure there is ample outdoor seating around so everyone has space to eat and socialize.
Intimate Connection
Cozy Connections:
Invest in a luxurious sectional built for outside elements, or two outdoor loveseats faced toward each other to create a more intimate atmosphere. Include a fire pit or coffee table to center your outdoor space, and install soft deck lighting to keep the mood delicate and inviting. Throw some accent pillows on your chairs to cozy them up, then enjoy a cup of cocoa or a glass of wine with some cherished friends and family.
Activity-Focused vs. Dining-Focused Patios
Depending on your personal lifestyle habits, an outdoor space can take on a variety of functionalities, from activity-focused gatherings to dining-focused reunions.
Activity-Focused Patio
Activity-Focused:
This space is a perfect entertainment hub for all ages, giving you and your guests a lot of options to choose from. Mount a TV on the wall for a completely refreshing cinematic experience for big game nights with friends or movie nights with the family. Spread out your seating arrangements to accommodate the whole space, and bring everyone together around the pool or a collapsible Ping-Pong table for an exciting spring evening.
Dining-Focused Patio
Dining-Focused:
Indoor-outdoor floorplans are becoming ever more popular as homeowners are looking to extend their most-used living spaces into the outdoors. In this example, the patio is an extension of the kitchen, creating an organic flow in and out of your home. Set up an outdoor dining table and fill a vase with fresh flowers as your centerpiece—it’s spring, after all—to create a friendly aesthetic that’s perfect for a relaxing meal. Use a buffet table or cart to store your flatware, plates, and drinking glasses, or use it for a s’mores-making bar or dessert display, depending on the occasion.
What’s your outdoor patio design style? What other ideas do you have to make your space personalized? Let us know in the comments section!