The patio can be a wonderful place to relax during the warm days of spring, summer and autumn; or all year if you opt to add in a patio heater or hot tub. The solid floor of a patio means you can sit outside even after heavy rain and make the most of the fresh air.
Colour Scheme for the Patio
When planning a new patio it is best to consider the colour scheme beyond just the colour of the paving slabs. If you want a patio garden, then you will need containers to grow plants in. Try to be sure that you can obtain containers or planters which blend well with the colour of the slabs. For example, light brown paving slabs above may look very nice, but are not so easy to blend in naturally with surroundings, or find complementary planters for.
Natural grey stone, on the other hand, is much easier to find suitable planters for and can have a much more natural appearance in the garden. That is not to say paving slabs other than grey cannot be used, but just bear in mind the rest of the decor you will need to fit in to make your patio garden attractive.
Patio Furniture
The main reason for adding a patio to your garden is so that you are able to enjoy your garden all year round. Whether you are reading a book in the summer sun, enjoying a cup of tea first thing in the morning, or just relaxing in the fresh air. You want to be comfortable when doing these activities so taking the time to ensure you look at different styles and combinations of patio furniture will stand you well in the long term. May I suggest taking a peek over at LOVEThESIGN who have an array of different furniture (and accessory) options available.
A simple patio table and chairs arrangement will be great for that morning cup of tea, however, where will your guests sit in the summer? Maybe an extendable seating area would work better for you with space for all the family to enjoy. Other things to think about are whether you are likely to be planning BBQ’s and parties over the course of the year. Ensuring you have space available for a table, drinks and food will be an important consideration.
Planting
If you are looking to add a splash of colour and bring elements of the garden on to your patio. You can easily add containers or outdoor planters onto the patio to make it feel more welcoming. As with many aspects of garden design, height is important when planning a patio garden. This can be achieved in a number of ways, which can all be used at the same time. Here are some examples:
1. Consider having a wall around the patio, on which you can put a few containers. On a patio or terrace, columns and balusters can be very attractive, and add a distinctive style.
2. Consider having a covered or partly covered patio. That gives you the opportunity to not only provide shade and cover but allow for a trellis on one side. That way you can grow climbing plants on the patio which add that all important height to the patio garden.
3. Choose some high containers that will immediately contrast with your smaller containers. Adding tall growing plants and container suitable shrubs, to contrast with the low growing and trailing plants.
By using a combination of the above features, you can develop a patio that will be a pleasing and impressive feature of your garden overall, and also be a great place to relax on those balmy sunny days. Try to visualise it in full before starting work on construction, and your garden patio could end up as your dream garden patio.
Collaborative Article
Photo Credit: Mr Cup / Fabien Barral
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