Maximizing the enjoyment of your time on the patio during the summer doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor; all it takes is a little bit of planning. Here are some patio tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your patio this summer and into the fall season.
Set Up Your Seating
Good seating is a must whether your patio is huge or on the small side. If you have a grill and want to serve meals on your patio, then you’ll want to go with a dining set that provides seating for everyone in your household and at least a few guests.
As far as patio furniture material, there are a lot of choices to choose from. Even if you plan on storing your patio furniture indoors during the winter months, you’re going to want furniture made of durable, weather-resistant material. Treated wood, aluminum, stainless steel, rattan, wrought iron, and resin wicker can all be great and affordable options; it all just depends on personal style.
Add Some Lighting
Good conversation and strong libations have a way of keeping people on the patio, and you’re going to need some lighting after the sun goes down.
String lights are always a popular choice as they’re incredibly cheap and add an element of whimsical charm. They’re also pretty versatile too. You can string them on a trestle to create a lighted wall or outline them around your patio space to create the concept of an open room.
Solar-powered lanterns, floor lamps, or step lights can also be a great choice and provide a practical and stylish lighting option.
Fire Features
While you may not want to gather around a fire pit in the middle of an August afternoon, these patio features are fantastic for those summer nights that stretch into cool fall evenings.
Fire pits come in a variety of styles, from rustic to sleek and modern, and even portable. The traditional fire pit is wood-burning, but propane fire pits have become increasingly popular in recent years and offer a smoke-free controllable flame.
Keep it Organized
If you have young kiddos, there’s a good chance there’s any number of random toys out on the patio and spilling into the backyard at any given time. Help keep them organized with a patio storage box.
These helpful space savers come in a variety of sizes, and some of them even double as extra seating with a bench on top (it’s a win-win).
Keep Cool
Just because you’re outside in the summer doesn’t mean you have to sweat. If your patio doesn’t have any natural shade in the form of a mature tree, then a large umbrella is a must. For some added comfort when a cool breeze is nowhere to be found, consider setting up an outdoor mobile fan.
And if you find that your concrete patio gets hot enough to fry an egg in the summer sun, try a light-colored weather-resistant rug to help cool things down.
Many of the homes in the Crosswinds community have thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces that are perfect for spending time with friends and family during the summer months. Contact us to learn more about our inventory of available homes.