In years past a patio was sort of a throw
on to a home. It was typically a concrete
slab to keep your feet clean on your way
in or out. Then you'd plunk down a couple
of chairs and a table and enjoy your patio
when the sun went down. More recently, covered
patios have become very popular. Adding
a patio or "outdoor living area" to your
home is both a great investment and a relaxing
extension of your homes interior that you
can enjoy all day and all yearlong. You
might want to consider the following features.
1 Add an outdoor kitchen to your patio
for easy entertaining. When planning your
kitchen think about storage, clean up
and prep areas. You can buy pre-made outdoor
grills with these features or build your
own custom kitchen.
2 Patio furnishings can be quite luxurious
because they're protected from the elements.
Think outdoor living room with comfortable
chairs, lounges, couches and plants all
around.
3 If you have a spacious patio you might
add a home spa. You can make this a focal
point of the patio with container garden
landscaping, intimate lighting, tiki torches
or candles. Itâ??s sure to be a feature
you'll use year round.
4 Patio Heaters. There is a fairly extensive
line of patio heaters available that allow
you to enjoy your patio even on cold days.
You might also consider an outdoor fireplace,
or fire pit to heat your patio on the
coldest of days.
5 Patio Misters are a wonderful addition
if you live in a climate where summers
can be unbearable. You'll keep your guests
comfortable on even the hottest days.
6 Patios for children. If you have children
you should think about a child friendly
area. You can provide storage for outdoor
games, pool and sprinkler fun, as well
as keep towels and a change of clothes
or shoes handy.
When planning your new patio addition
consider your hobbies, family life style,
and entertaining habits. Have fun with
your patio design and make it your own!
For more information on patio design
see www.patioportal.com
You'll also find great buys on patio furniture,
umbrellas, hammocks, grills and more!
