A patio can give you and your family a place to sit outside and enjoy the weather, hold barbecues, and entertain guests. When planning your patio there are many things to consider, however. Below are some tips on some of these things to help you get started.
Size
The size of your patio is very important as it needs to be large enough for how you are planning to use it. For example, if you love to entertain family and friends and will be cooking on your patio, it needs to be large enough to accommodate everyone, as well as give you a separate area for your grill. You may want to use the patio for you and your family to have a place outside to sit and relax, or to simply read a book and enjoying being outside. In this case, the patio could be smaller.
Think about how much furniture you would like to put on your patio. If you have small children, you may want to have a separate smaller patio area for them to play on so they keep out of your way if you are entertaining.
For example, if you would like a simple patio that will only have a few furniture pieces on it, 10'x15' or 15'x15' would be good sizes to choose.
Furniture
Once you determine the size, you need to determine the type of patio furniture you would like. You could choose a simple table and chairs with an umbrella over the table to protect you from the harmful sun's rays. If you want more seating space, you can purchase a patio couch and extra seats.
You will find patio furniture made from a variety of materials including:
- Aluminum: Aluminum patio furniture is lightweight, resistant to rust, low in maintenance, and durable. If you do not like the color of aluminum, you can find powder coated aluminum that is available in a variety of colors. Powder coating is beneficial because it offers more protection.
- Plastic: Plastic is also lightweight and low in maintenance. This type of material is less expensive when compared to other materials, and can be found in a variety of colors. There is some plastic patio furniture that resembles wood, wicker, and more.
- Wicker: Wicker is a lightweight material that is comfortable and flexible. Wicker can also be used indoors, such as if you have a sunroom. This material can be found in a variety of colors.
Most of your patio furniture will come with cushions or you will be likely adding cushions if they do not. Make sure the cushions are made of all-weather, outdoor fabrics.
Talk with the contractor that is installing your patio, as they can give you many more tips on the size, as well as the best place to put the patio in your yard. For more information, visit a site like http://www.mh2g.com/.