I know that the spring just sprung, but I’m already thinking of summer and relaxing in our country house. This year we hope to start sprucing up the patio and garden area and I have been looking for some design ideas for that matter.
Adding or fixing up a patio can give us usable space while relaxing on a warm summer’s day. Although our patio already looks quite nice, I’m thinking of adding more life to it and increasing its attraction. Instead of an ordinary patio with a few plastic chairs, we want to build something that catches the eye while promoting a secondary purpose. Going beyond the table and umbrella set everybody can buy at hardware stores, I’m going for an exotic look!
Have a look at these 4 exotic ideas for a relaxing patio design and start designing your own perfect patio too!
Living Walls
For covered patios, vines and plant life can make up the walls sprawling up to the roof. Not only does this provide an excellent measure of shade during those hot sunny days, but it can also serve as a windbreak. Depending on the kinds of plants you use, it could provide shelter for the winter months, as well as the branches, remain in place. For open spaces, living walls or vertical gardens are a perfect way to add some “green” additions to your space. Living walls let you experiment with different plants – you can use succulents, moss or even grow your own herbs in on a living wall.
Living walls help to incorporate a little bit of nature into your home, but it also may help to reduce energy cost and improve air quality.
Swim Spa
Swim spas are actually much smaller than a full-size swimming pool and can fit in a variety of locations. This adds entertainment, health, and relaxation to your lifestyle and can easily be attached to a variety of patios. It’s not that difficult to find affordable swim spas that are perfect for your specific location. You could go so far as to build an area connected to the patio specifically for your spa enhancing the landscape.
Swim spas come in a variety of sizes, so they are perfect for different locations.
Patio Waterfalls
Waterfalls can be very soothing after a rough day at the office. Depending on the size of the waterfall you wish to build the patio, you may want to make sure the platform can support the weight. For locations that are ground level, a small four-foot waterfall filling up a small pool with fish could add a great deal of attraction.
Small waterfalls help to change a boring patio to a luxurious oasis. Think of adding some water plants, for a more exotic design.
Stone Fire Pit & Barbeque
Making a fire pit or barbecue out of stone or brick not only adds longevity but creates an elegant wilderness-style look. Some people have built stonework around a traditional unit while others create ovens and cooktops using nothing but rocks or cement. While it may take a bit of work to assemble, it could be the pride of your neighborhood barbecues and get-togethers. Stone fire pits keep you warm while enjoying the outdoors and give you the possibility to roast some marshmallows or even hot dogs with your kids and family without the need to go camping.
Get the feel of campfire-like atmosphere with adding a stone fire pit to your patio. It’s perfect as a cooking source and for ambiance!
There is really no wrong way to design your perfect patio. Your home should make you feel comfortable while surrounded by the things you enjoy. As long as you like the decor, that is all that matters. Of course, what you install will be determined by how many square feet you have available for improvements.
What kinds of things can you do with the space you have?
Contemporary Patio by Menlo Park Photographers Janet Paik, via Houzz.com
Swim spa image by Emocionate18 (Own work) (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Waterfall image by Rachel Mathews Gardendesigner22 (Own work) (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Stone fire pit image by ACM Design Architects (CC BY 2.0)
