Setting Up Your New Patio, One Step at a Time

1. Visualize the End Result

When you think about the activities on your porch or patio, what do you imagine? Will you be hosting alfresco brunches with friends? Cocktail parties under the stars? Maybe you see yourself lounging poolside with a good book or grilling for a neighborhood cookout. Keep your life>

Another consideration is square footage. If you have a modest yard, a sprawling outdoor sectional might not be the best fit. Conversely, a large patio will dwarf small furniture pieces. Just like the interior rooms of your home, your outdoor furniture should fill your space without dominating it. Get the dimensions of your patio and the furniture youve been eyeing, and use a floor planner to confirm everything will fit nicely.

Think about the climate where you live as well to help you decide the colors and materials for furniture. Lighter colors reflect heat, so theyre a great choice for hot areas. Select an umb>

2. Start with the Staples

Furnishing a new home can be daunting, so start with just the basics for your patio. For frequent entertainers, ample seating is a must. Place a coffee table in front of a spacious sectional to give the area a >

If you plan on enjoying meals alfresco, youll also want to configure an area for eating. An outdoor dining table, chairs and benches are great for large dinner parties, and a bistro table is ideal during meals for two. Prepare the food outside by cooking burgers, steaks or veggies on the grill. To make dining outdoors easier, bring a cart outside, and stock it with bar tools, acrylic barware and melamine dinnerware.

When your events extend into the night, its essential to have good lighting. Outdoor string lights are a great way to add a warm glow with >

3. Personalize the Patio

This is where the fun begins. After youve made the finishing touches to your homes interior, its time to bring your >

Tie the look of the patio together with pillows, blankets and outdoor rugs. Create a cohesive color scheme by matching the textiles with the flowers. Bright shades of blues and greens establish a refreshing aesthetic, while pinks, oranges and reds create a tropical vibe. If you prefer neutrals, opt for taupe or grey textiles mdash; theyre sure to keep the focus on the flowers. Another color option is to extend your interiors look outdoors by using similar throws, decorative pillows and rugs indoors and out.

Its easy to refresh the look of your patio when you need to. Hosting a barbecue for Independence Day? Swap out your pillows for red, white and blue ones to instantly make the space on-theme. As the summer fades into fall, embrace autumn with seasonal decor. Replace your summery centerpiece with an arrangement of fall leaves, pinecones and acorns, and layer the lounge furniture with knit blankets. When winter arrives, remember to bring out the furniture covers and store pillows and blankets inside.

Moving into a new home is a busy time, so take things slow as you perfect your outdoor spaces. When all is done, unwind on the patio or host a backyard party to celebrate your hard work.

Angie Erickson writes inspirational content for Crate and Bar>



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