When it’s time for a new patio, you may be feeling overwhelmed with choices. Browsing the internet and gathering ideas is a great start, but pictures don’t always tell the whole story. You also want to marry function with beauty. To help you do that, here are five contemporary patio designs that can make your patio stand out in the Northport and Setauket, NY areas.
Related: HOW TO INCORPORATE OUTDOOR LIGHTING INTO 7 PATIO DESIGNS IN OYSTER BAY, NY AREA
1. Elevated Living
You have probably seen multi-level outdoor living spaces on sloped properties, but you can do the same on a pancake-flat backyard. It’s one of the best ways to add dimension and define spaces. Even one or two steps up or down can make a huge difference in how you perceive space. For example, an outdoor kitchen could be situated on the main level of the patio (this is often a good idea for safety, to prevent anyone carrying a heavy tray from having to navigate steps); an elevated level could house a pergola-covered seating area that takes a commanding view of the landscape, and a sunken level could be home to an intimate fire pit area.
2. Mixed Materials
Just like the rooms in your home probably don’t have the same flooring materials throughout, you can mix materials in various parts of the patio. You want to be somewhat careful with this approach and keep the materials to three or fewer to prevent a busy look. One idea is to create one or two “area rugs” using different pavers. These are ideal in a dining space, around a fire pit, or in a seating area. For example, you could choose the look of bluestone for your main paver material, and add a few “area rugs” using the look of antiqued brick.
3. Bringing in More Nature
As some homeowners move away from the traditional expanse of lawn surrounding a patio and toward a more nature-oriented outdoor experience, patios are getting bigger. One approach is to create separate mini-patios that are separated by natural elements. On a large patio, you could achieve this look using a reflecting pond or a series of masonry planters filled with ornamental grasses or shrubs. Or you could create actually separated mini-patios that are connected by walkways and surrounded by the appearance of natural landscaping.
4. Balance
Balance is important in any design. In your outdoor living spaces, you can choose design elements that balance each other: An outdoor fireplace is balanced by a pergola, and dense evergreen trees are balanced by boulders and billowing ornamental grasses. Balance also applies to light and dark, textured and smooth: light-colored pavers against a lush green landscape and smooth pavers against rugged retaining walls. Balance also involves movement and stillness (the activity of an outdoor kitchen is balanced by lush landscaping and a calming water feature). A modern patio space will be well balanced, with every element complementing the rest.
5. A Sense of Calm
Our world is stressful enough, and the last thing we want to do is to carry that busy feeling over into our living spaces. On a modern patio, there’s a trend toward minimalism and simplicity: lack of contrasting borders, a few signature pieces rather than a space that’s cluttered with furniture, neutral tones and lively pops of color, and most of all, an emphasis on what really matters: gathering with family and friends. An outdoor kitchen with bar seating, a fire feature with comfortable seating all around, and water features will give your outdoor space a welcoming effect.
Related: HOW TO INCORPORATE OUTDOOR LIGHTING INTO 7 PATIO DESIGNS IN OYSTER BAY, NY AREA
