Summer is just around the corner. For most people, summer means more time outside soaking up the sun. The backyard and patio area of a home serves many purposes. For some, it’s a refuge, a place to escape and relax, read a book, or lounge. For others, it’s a place for entertaining and throwing big barbecues. 

Regardless, the summertime kicks the cold to the curb and makes the backyard and patio area high-traffic territory. If you’re a designer, this means that many homeowners will be looking to you to revamp and re-design their patios to get ready for the summer.

There’s no shortage of inspiring patio design trends happening this year. With CAD models, photographs, and software, designing beautiful patios becomes a much easier prospect. CAD simply stands for computer-aided design, and it’s revolutionizing the design and architectural world. 

If you’re looking for a little inspiration, keep reading. Here are six patio design ideas to get ready for summer and beyond. 

Idea #1: Create Lounge Areas

Itchy wicker furniture is out. Instead, homeowners are looking for their patio to be an area to lounge. Some people are even bringing indoor furniture outdoor and turning their patios into second living rooms. While it might seem outlandish to have couches outside, that’s precisely where patio design has gone. Most modern patios will have an area devoted to comfort and lounging. 

But you can still get creative with lounge spaces. Hanging chairs, cozy corner couches, and awe-inspiring hammocks all fit within this design trend.  

Idea #2: Incorporate an Outdoor Kitchen

Grills and a picnic table used to be the only backyard requirement. Now patios include entire kitchens. Luxury patios are designed with wet bars, ovens, sinks, countertops, and more. And, no outdoor kitchen is complete without a patio table and chairs. Some people also include an outdoor firepit for their outdoor kitchen, too. This ensures they’re prepared for any cuisine request that comes their way.

Idea #3 Emphasize Entertainment

Entertainment has different meanings for different people. For some folks, emphasizing entertainment means incorporating a television into their patio design. For others, it’s about saving space for a sound system for parties. For some people, it’s about including space to play outdoor games and have a conversation. 

While entertainment can mean different things, the goal is the same. People want their patios to be places for entertainment. 

Idea #4: Intelligently Add Shade

Shade should be a part of any patio design. This can be as simple as adding a louver patio cover or building the patio beneath a giant tree. Some designers are incorporating foliage to provide shade. This creates a lush, earthy, and private feeling while protecting the homeowners from the harsh summer sun. 

Idea #5 Add More Shade

Less isn’t more when it comes to patios. People want more outdoor space, not less. Some homeowners are achieving this by adding a pergola to their backyard and patio. Pergolas can serve many purposes depending on the pergola design goals, but ultimately, they serve as a separate area, which creates the illusion of more space.

Alternatively, clever designers are playing with mirrors and color combinations to emphasize space and make the patio feel larger and more open.

Idea #6 Focus on the Lighting

Patio lighting is another crucial element for overall design. While many patio owners love the look of twinkle lights, there has to be somewhere to string them. There also has to be appropriately placed outlets. Other patio owners opt for more fancy lights, like bucket lights or ceiling fan lights. Either way, lights and light design can inspire the entire layout of a patio. 

Get Ready for Summer with These Patio Renovation Ideas

Ultimately, a person’s patio design comes down to personal preference. For some people, their patios are about entertaining guests. For others, it’s about creating an outdoor oasis. The above six ideas are sure to get any patio owner excited and thinking about their patio’s design. 

Aside from these ideas, colors, furniture, and themes can significantly impact a patio’s design. For instance, a Mediterranean-themed patio would look much different than a patio inspired by a Buddhist monastery. Ultimately, personal aesthetic preference will be the most prominent driving force inspiring any patio’s design. 

Get ready for summer by starting your patio renovations now. For inspiration and guidance for both residential and commercial patios, you can search our website for a variety of patio-inspired CAD resources, including downloadable 2D and 3D files. 

Author: Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value. 

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