It’s finally May here at Shea®, which means that after a long and cold winter it’s time to step out of hibernation and into the truly lovely summer Colorado has in store for us. To help you seamlessly transition into warm sun basking, here are a few snappy patio design ideas sure to reinvigorate your outdoor space and lure even the happiest homebody outdoors.
Paint the Door
As some of the largest single features on the outside of your house, your doors naturally draw a lot of attention — and painting them is one of the best places to start a patio redesign. To find the ideal shade for your doors, first consider the color(s) of your home — taking into account not only the tone of your walls and trim, but also what you might find in your nearby ecosystems. Borrowing an influence from your local landscape is a wonderful way to make your home feel more connected to its surroundings. For your Shea® Colorado home, you could consider painting the patio door cobalt blue — like one of our countless cloudless days — or a shade of gold or ecru that mirrors the color of winter foothills. Whether you select something that melds seamlessly into your home or you take advantage of contrasting colors to make the door pop as the patio focal point, this is an excellent way to declare your design intentions. Whatever color you choose, be sure it’s compliant with your neighborhood’s HOA.
A Proper Patio
Once you’ve painted your door in the perfect color, it’s time to select some accessories that complement your choice and turn the patio into a delightful extension of your home. Consider adding a welcome mat that speaks to your personality and placing planters on either side of the door to make the entry even more welcoming. While you’re at it, don’t forget to take advantage of vertical space: It’s second nature to hang art on interior walls, but your patio can be decorated in much the same way with wall art and paper lanterns. Just like when you design an indoor space, experiment with different textures to draw the eye and make the porch feel just as vibrant and cozy as any living room. As a final touch, weave string lights through your patio to encourage your family to take advantage of warm summer evenings long after the sun has gone down.
Go Out Swinging
If we were to ask you to think about patio seating, what’s the first thing that would come to mind? Nothing says “summer” like a porch swing. If you also dream of long, lazy afternoons relaxing with a glass of iced tea, you might find this DIY project to be just what the doctor ordered. After handcrafting your very own swing, you’ll have earned all the swing time you could ever possibly want — but, depending on your carpentry experience, you might find this project a little daunting. There’s absolutely no shame in hanging a premade swing, especially if it gets you outside that much faster! For a more contemporary update, you can hang a pair of single-seater swings next to one another. This setup allows everyone to swing at their own pace and makes face-to-face communication with your beloved neighbors a lot more simple.
We hope you have a fantastic summer full of many restful days and lots of time spent in the sun. Want to join the fun for yourself if you don’t already live in one of our special communities? Check out our available floorplans and see why so many families find their summers are made even better in the backyard of their beautiful Shea® homes.