Design Ideas to Inspire Your Patio
San Diego is an incredible place to live with approximately 266 days of sunshine each year. We are passionate about creating yards that are perfect for enjoying our gorgeous weather year round whether you enjoy hosting parties or simply relaxing in your outdoor living space. Here are some of our favorite ideas to include in your patio design.
Outdoor Kitchen Designs For Patios
This probably goes without saying, but one of our favorite parts of any outdoor living space is an outdoor kitchen. Why cook inside when you can bring the food outside? Building an outdoor kitchen that is complete with all the important elements ensures that outdoor entertaining is always simple and ready to go with minimal effort. Some of our favorite elements to include in an outdoor kitchen are a barbecue, bar, food prep station, fridge, and plenty of seating for everyone. These things keep you from running inside and outside and allow you to spend more time with your friends and family. Read more about our favorite outdoor kitchen ideas on the blog.
Make Room for Patio Dining
Whether you enjoy hosting parties or enjoying an occasional dinner outside, make sure you have a dining table and chairs to sit at. To create a more casual vibe, offer a variety of different tables and seating options for your guests to have smaller, more intimate meals and conversations throughout your patio.
Patio Seating
Ensure you and your guests stay comfortable throughout the night by providing plenty of seating. We love having a variety of seating at different heights throughout your outdoor patio so guests have plenty of options to kick back and relax in. We love incorporating built in benches whenever there is room for them because they provide plenty of seating without taking up too much space. Don’t forget to have throw pillows and blankets available to keep everyone comfortable.
Patio Entertainment
No patio is complete without having some outdoor entertainment. Adding a TV to your patio is great for taking indoor hobbies, like watching the big game, outdoors to enjoy in your amazing yard. You also can’t go wrong with a stereo system and speakers throughout your space. We recommend that you place speakers just above ear level so that you and your guests can enjoy the music without it feeling too loud and overbearing. You should also consider having a variety of different games in your patio. You can’t go wrong with bocce ball, cornhole, jenga, and ladder toss for easy fun without a ton of effort.
Patio Pergolas
We love adding pergolas to outdoor patios to bring some shade to your space without making it feel closed off or small. Pergolas create the perfect indoor outdoor vibe for any outdoor living space and are a great spot to hang fans and light fixtures without blocking too much of our beloved San Diego sunshine.
Patio Lighting
It is imperative that you have proper lighting throughout your patio so that you can enjoy your outdoor living space even after the sun goes down. Make sure that you don’t have too many bright lights in your space that will make it feel uncomfortable. Instead, stick to mellow tones to provide mood lighting. We also recommend that you provide lighting by any steps, stairs, or walkways to keep your yard safe.
Patio Fire Pit
Having a charming fire pit is a classic way to enjoy your patio after the sun goes down. Not only does it provide lighting, but it is beautiful to look at and can help keep your guests warm as it cools off a bit. Having a fire pit is also a great way to enjoy your outdoor living space during our cool San Diego winters. Don’t forget to provide some cozy blankets for your guests to get extra comfortable with. Plus who doesn’t like roasting s’mores and telling stories around the fire?
Patio Water Features
Incorporating water features like hot tubs, ponds, waterfalls and fountains are a great way to add some peace and serenity to your space. The sound of water flowing is incredibly relaxing and can help you destress after a long day. If you have a pool, it should be the centerpiece of your patio and you should design your other elements around it.
Keep Your Patio Simple
Stick to minimal color palettes and don’t go overboard with decorations in your patio. Your landscaping should always be the focus of your yard, so don’t take away from your plants and features by having too many colors, textures and accessories. When in doubt, keep it simple and let your landscaping do the talking for you.
Create a Patio Environment that You Will Enjoy
This tip seems rather simple, but we often see people opt for furniture or outdoor pieces that look aesthetically pleasing without being comfortable at all. If you create a space that looks pretty but doesn’t have any features you enjoy or cozy seating for you to relax in, the unfortunate reality is that you probably won’t spend much time there. Create an environment with colors, furniture pieces, and elements that you love so that you are encouraged to get outside and enjoy your space. After all, it would be awful to spend time and money in creating a patio that you don’t even want to hang out in.
Overall, there are many different elements that can make your patio a perfect place to hang out. It is important to consider your overall space and design around your biggest features. Make sure to read our blog about the most common landscape design mistakes people make before designing your patio. If you are considering a front or backyard remodel, give us a call! We would love to discuss your ideas and see if we can help bring your dreams to reality.