Designing and Decorating Your Patio

With the increasing interest in designing patios to be more than what they were in the past, the variety of outdoor furniture for patios has also grown and evolved into a new industry.

The patio used to be a place with minimal furnishings: a couple of chairs, a table, some potted plants, and maybe a table lamp. But times have changed and the old rules no longer apply. Today the patio is being transformed into a living space with sections for a family room, an observatory for star gazers, a greenhouse, a reading place, a meditation retreat, an outdoor dining and entertaining area, and just about anything else, depending on the interests and outdoor activities of family members.

With the increasing interest in designing patios to be more than what they were in the past, the variety of outdoor furniture for patios has also grown and evolved into a new industry. The growth of the patio furniture industry is due to the fact that many more Americans are spending time relaxing in their patios. Some people see their patios as a private sanctuary.

One woman, Linda Gravel, designed her patio to be nearly soundproof, with small operable windows to let in fresh air. She uses her patio to practice yoga and tai chi. In another example, Geoffrey Alberton designed his patio to express his love of traveling and the outdoors. “This is where I place all the plants in the house and pictures of my traveling expeditions. In fact, I place ornaments and special souvenir items from all around the world in my special patio,” he said with a sheepish grin. People like Alberton and Gravel have transformed the patio into a private space where they can be themselves and relax.

It makes sense to use the backyard fully for those activities we love best. Some people have a swimming pool or gym in their patio. Turning the patio into a personal space is a trend brought about by “cocooning.” Cocooning affects most Americans today and is spreading throughout the world. The term refers to the growing phenomenon of people creating their own personal world and staying home to enjoy it. People today prefer a casual lifestyle at home. Young people enjoy staying home on their patios doing what they love. Elderly people also enjoy designing their patios to suite their more restful activities.

Health conscious individuals often turn their patios into health spas or gyms for working out. A garden lover might have a patio with a small greenhouse and a shed for storing garden tools. You can decorate your patio to inspire dancing, meditation, or making music. It might be a second office if you work at home. Just take your laptop with you. Large families might use the patio as a family room for playing board games and having cookouts. They might get together to play or listen to music. It all depends on what the family, or individual, likes to do.
 

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