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.
For decoration items, you can add rattan baskets and even rattan pots. Make a centerpiece with fruit bowls and add plastic or real palm trees to really get the whole looking going. To keep yourself warm, apart from patio heaters, you can use cushions and rugs that look tropical to you. In Asian inspired patio decorating, think calm and tranquil as that is the center of Asian deco- to combine the yin and the yang. From colors, to lighting to patio cushions and furniture- use elements that is calm and relaxing. Just like a tropical paradise, adding bamboo furniture can really set the mood for an Asian paradise. As always, no patio is complete without plants, so in an Asian setting, use as many Asian plants as possible such as water bamboos and you can even create a mini Zen garden. The key to Asian patio d?cor is to avoid clutter and make everything clean and fuss free.
Colors to include into Asian d?cor are such as brown, bamboo green and even blue. Water elements for patio decoration are also a good idea and this can be incorporated in the form of a fountain, pond or even aquariums. Asian themes also consists of using patio decorations such as statues and paintings from ornamental dragons, Japanese or Chinese calligraphy and even adding patio umbrellas that resemble Asian paper umbrellas and wall fans. For furniture, opt for all weather wicker furniture with walnut brown finishing and oriental decorative designs.
Now for our nautical patio decoration tips. If the idea of quiet coastal harbors, nautical adventures and the open sea entice you then a nautical themed patio is your heart’s calling. When it comes to a nautical theme, it’s also easy getting elements and items just like the tropical theme. Now if you are living near the beach- that is where you should head to in order t get your d?cor items and for inspiration. When is comes to furniture, consider using teak furnishings or even cedar outdoor furniture. Since this setting is created, now its time to decorate all around it. Use accessories that are connected to fishing, water activities, boating, marine life and the sea. Head over to the beach to collect nature’s items such as seashells, colored rocks and drift wood. If you have items such as a ship in a bottle, a ships wheel and other collectibles, use this to decorate your patio. For your tables’ centerpiece, use driftwood in the center and surrounded by tea candles and seashells.The coastal set up or the nautical theme must naturally include objects related to sea. Try to plant trees that generally grow near the beach in your area. The patio cushions for your all weather wicker chairs can have marine life prints on them. Of course, you can have teak or cedar furniture instead of wicker. Try to display your beach collections prominently in one corner. The patio accessories must be connected to the beach or to the marine life. They can even be associated with activities like boating and fishing. Fascinatingly shaped driftwood makes beautiful curios for your nautical patio. You cannot have a theme based patio overnight. Have patience and slowly build up your collections and if you keep after it you will soon have a patio that you can justifiably be proud of.
Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using outdoor patio furniture, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushion, patio heaters, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on outdoor patio heater and so on are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.