Ideas for an Elegant Patio

One idea is a picnic table that seats as many as 8 people without taking up too much room. My husband and I purchased one for under a hundred dollars, unfinished. We decided to stain it with rich redwood, then coated it with a protective high gloss clear covering. It took two days, and it turned out beautiful, and adds to the outdoor feel.

Folding chairs, chaise lounges, and wooden TV trays, with a couple of Sago Palms, or Areca Palm (usually an indoor plant), can make a patio feel elegant. The Areca Palm needs to be kept out of direct sun, but thrives in moderate temperatures on a covered patio.

Clear resin or glass tables are a good accent, with or without an umbrella. Depending on the area, an umbrella could mean the difference between a comfortable experience or a disaster if the sun is too hot. Umbrella's of a variety of sizes can be purchased at a moderate cost online.

Clear plastic is good, as long as it is out of the sunlight. Plastic tends to go milky when exposed to strong sun rays or intense heat. Depending on how thick it is, it could also become soft and develop a distorted surface. Here in the Nevada summer sun, we experienced a clear plastic table top melting, and warming into a sad upside down U shape. Conversation piece maybe?

Another good idea is to check local donation stores. Many exceptional finds have been located at a fraction of the cost. All kinds of items are possible to find, including artificial plants, outdoor tables, chairs, lounges, even a patio bar! Weekend yard sales are another resource to look for used items that would otherwise be costly. Why not take a little time to walk around, get some fresh air, and maybe locate items that would enhance the patio effect, and save money!

Following are a photo and video of optional tables, including making your own.

Plants add warmth, color, vibrancies, and accent any type of tables or chairs. There are many varieties to choose from including pre-potted hanging plants and ferns, vegetation of almost any kind that will thrive.

Trees should be small and slow growing, or bushes might work better such as Desert Bird of Paradise (keep trimmed back). Mock orange, Lemon, grow fairly slow, and if plants are kept in pots, easy moving can be done with a dolly. There are many plants that work as fillers without the height, such as ferns, and some types of palms. Cactus is a good accent in areas with warmer weather, and adding a wind chime, or two adds to the feel of the décor.

Patio Design Ideas, by Lisa Hallett Taylor (Pool and Patio Expert) offers some visual ideas for patios that can be put together at a minimal cost, or just provide inspiration for a basis to designs. The portion of her Website that provides Small Garden Simplicity, can be found at:
http://poolandpatio.about.com/od/patiosouterspaces/ig/Patio-Design-Ideas/Small-Space-Simplicity.htm#step-heading, just to get some ideas, or motivation to create something new.

At the moment our seedlings of Mimosa Trees, Apple Trees, Lemons, Desert Bird of Paradise, and Tomatoes are reaching a size that can be left outside. The plan is to obtain huge decorative pots, strategically placed on the patio that they can be transplanted into. It is fun to watch them grow, and protected from the hot afternoon sun during the summer (our patio is covered).

Plants can be hung from an awning, or patio cover in decorative hanging bowls, or other ideas include artificial hanging birds, bird feeders, Hummingbird feeders, and lots of colorful flowers to draw the fascinating birds.

Plants always dress up a patio with greens, or a variety of colors with blossoms or even plastic, and silk plants that never need watering. If the patio is covered the artificial plants will last a long time, not fading from the direct rays from the sun.

Suggestions for Trees: Japanese Maple/Dwarf Citrus/Flowering Plum or Cherry/Fullmoon Maple- Meyer Lemon/Benjamin Fichus.

Bricks of different colors, sizes and shapes can be used to construct low retaining walls around the patio, planters, benches, or other decorative additions. A table base can be constructed with brick, adding a flat surface on the top (be sure it is well supported so it does not topple when items such as drink glasses, or dinner ware are placed on it). Thick plastic can be found at hardware stores, and most will also cut to the shape desired. The idea here is to keep the cost down, while dressing up the sitting area of the patio.

Do it yourself ideas cut cost, and provide satisfaction when finished. There is no limit to the imagination when it comes to decorating a patio area. Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, most any store that has a garden department will also carry a few pieces of lumber, and bricks.

Hanging bird designs add color, or make colorful potted vine plants (or artificial silk plants) vibrant with colorful butterflies. Many can be purchased at discount prices online, or local stores, including ivy, and vines.

Hang a large bird swing from the awning, and wire an artificial Parrot or other exotic bird to it, or even add some artificial flowers or vines onto the bird swing, it makes a great accent and conversation piece!

Bamboo makes a good divider, or corner accent, as does palms, ferns, or small trees/bushes. Just do not add too much to avoid a cluttered look.

Water fountains are popular giving a sense of peace, and harmony, not to mention the added beauty. Fountains can be expensive to buy, but an alternative is to make one, purchasing parts from a local store, or, check with donation stores for parts, sometimes fountains are donated. It is worth a look.

I found several video's on YouTube by searching How to Make a Water Fountain.

Another idea is to place whiskey half barrels around the patio, plant veggies, tomatoes, grapes, and run drip lines for easy maintenance. They are decorative, add greenery, and one can reap a harvest for the dinner table.

It's amazing how many vegetables you can grow in the back yard, while making it look inviting!

Dressing up a patio can be expensive purchasing furniture, or hiring someone else to do the work. There are ways to save money and still add beauty to a patio area. A variety of ideas that are inexpensive include plants, tables (look for used, or donated items to save more money), or make your own. Trees, cactus and other plants add color and warmth to a patio sitting area, and adding a home made water fountain brings peace and tranquility, especially if wind chimes are a hung.

Speaking of hanging, there are ready made items to hang from the awning if the patio is covered. Birds perched on a swing, hanging plants, artificial vines, and artificial butterflies can dress up the plants with a splash of color.

The choices are endless that add to the aesthetics of a patio, or garden area to make it an appealing place to relax, bar-b-que, or entertain guests. I hope this information serves to promote inspiration and motivation to be creative. Feel free to share any crafty things you have added to your patio.