City Tile: Patios? Pati-Ohhs!

Posted by samantha on Aug 12, 2014 in What I've Done

Today’s patios are more than just concrete squares that extend from the back of the house. They are more than wood decks.

Trends for modern patios include unique focal points, including staircases, garden features, fire pits, and more, all creating a new space that adds character, and more room, to your home.

You may want to make more of your yard or deck, but don’t know where to begin to create a cozy nook for your family to entertain or just veg out in the evenings. You have to know how you are going to utilize your new patio — entertaining, dining, relaxing, etc. — before you can add the details.

Once you know what you are likely to use the space for, you can then look at how you want to create the atmosphere.

• Outdoor tile: The foundation of your new patio, you can cover an existing area, extend it, or create a whole new outdoor “room”. Outdoor tile can add structure, color and texture, and it sets the tone for the rest of the décor.
• Outdoor lighting: From string lights to light posts, solar lamps to lanterns, you can use lighting to set perimeters to your patio and add ambiance.
• Trends for this summer include sumptuous seating and bigger dining areas, and plush cushions for entertaining guests during the evenings. Also popular are transitional areas that bring indoor contemporary looks to the outdoors.
• Although bold colors like cayenne, marigold, and oranges are popular this year, you will need to pair them with neutral shades to balance, or use corresponding colors to create tonal combinations. Popular color combinations include yellows and grays and tonal blues. Black and white is always in style.
• Finishing touches: Black fences are commonly seen in Japanese-inspired gardens, and provide a dramatic backdrop, especially striking when contrasted with the white shutters. A black fence can also is a striking backdrop for plants, especially native plants with their gray-green colors.

Fire pits, specifically stone pits, are also popular, providing a focal point for your patio, as well as a center for conversation. They also function as a way to keep warm on cooler nights, roast weenies or marshmallows, and add lighting to a dark night.

[http://www.citytile.net/patios/]