Is your patio just an open ground that lies neglected through out the year? Do you want your children to spend more time in the patio, so that they can grow close to nature, deriving much of their mental nourishment from it? Nothing comes out of nothing, nothing ever could… if you want your family to spend every second of their free time in the patio (leaving the house neat and tidy, that will be bonus point) you have to decorate it in such a way that they are automatically attracted towards it.
Buying expensive patio umbrellas and other fixtures may not serve your purpose. Why not select a theme and then try to develop the patio around it? It may take some time, but in the end, you will have a grand patio, some thing you can justifiably be proud of. Go slow. Try some of the following themes, but remember, developing the patio around a theme involves hard work, meticulous planning and willingness to go to any length.
• You can try to incorporate a tropical theme unless of course you live in the polar region.
• Asian theme based on China and Japan looks good.
• If you are inventive enough and fond of activities like sailing and fishing, try a nautical theme.
If possible, plant some tropical trees around the patio. However, the climate of the place where you live may not be conductive to the growth of such plants. You can consult some nurseries and if you cannot really have tropical trees in your patio, see if you can have similar trees with lush green foliage. You can depend upon tiki torches to lend the set up some tropical leanings. Alternately, you can look for pineapple outdoor lighting system. Some are path lights, others are mounted on the walls, but all of them are shaped like full-grown pineapples and are capable of lending the patio some distinctive appearance.
Look for some tropical knickknacks as well. Poke around dollar stores or thrift stores for such curios. Artificial tropical fruits in a platter, shaped like a banana leaf will make a wonderful centerpiece. Rattan baskets make lovely bric-a-brac that you can hang here and there and so do bamboo pots that can hold your flowerpots beautifully. You can even install a bamboo tiki bar, if you have enough space. You can also use all these fixtures if your theme is Asian instead of tropical. The only difference is that while tropical region is more volatile, the Asian theme at least is more tranquil. The color scheme here should have a calming effect. If your climate permits, plant some Asiatic trees as well. Alternately, try to create a Zen garden in your patio. Such gardens can be very big or they can be small enough to fit on your desktop. Try to visit a real Zen garden to get some clear idea about them and then search the internet for step-by-step instruction.
Incorporate some water element in your patio for true Asian look. If you have the space, you can include a small lily pool in one corner of the patio. Fountains too will look nice. If you cannot have either, you can at least install an aquarium at one side because water has some calming effect on our nerves. Try to create a few bonsai, although they, like any other trees take time to grow. See if you can add statues or can hang some pictures of dragons or Chinese or Japanese calligraphy across the wall.
Water bodies are must for the nautical theme. Try to plant those trees and bushes that grow near the beach in your area. See if you can buy a discarded boat and then turn it into piece d’art. With little imagination, fishing nets can make beautiful wall hangings. Have beach umbrellas instead of patio umbrellas and teak or cedar furniture instead of wicker, though there is no reason why all weather wicker furniture will not gel. Have marine prints on the cushions. In fact, all the accessories should relate to marine life or activities. Driftwood makes beautiful focal point, so does art pieces made with seashells. Look through your attics to find discarded curios and toys and you will be surprised find a lot of the material in there. The dollar stores are there to supply the rest. Do not hurry, but build your patio slowly.
Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using patio heaters, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, patio heaters, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on outdoor patio umbrella are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.
