If your travel plans for this summer have been cancelled or changed due to COVID-19, the next best option is to turn your home into your very own destination spot. Here are some tips for enjoying a summer-long staycation in Huntington, NY, with a new patio design. After all, since we spend so much time at our homes, we should make sure they are places where we really enjoy being!
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In both large and small spaces, a patio design can be customized to suit your family’s desires. From small and inexpensive changes that make a big difference to total remodels of your outdoor space, there is no shortage of options for you to enjoy countless moments on your patio for years to come.
Areas for All Activities
Organize the areas of your patio in a way that allows for separate activities but still provides a sense of togetherness for everyone involved. You may find the need for a grilling space or outdoor kitchen, an area to relax and enjoy good conversation, a section for kids to play (maybe off the patio by the pool or in the lawn), and so on. Whatever your needs for your patio space, incorporate vertical elements such as seating walls or potted plants to divide spaces while maintaining clear sight lines, guide traffic flow, and add some extra beauty to your home. Seating walls are fancy and functional features that can serve multiple purposes as they defines space, eliminate the need for extra chairs that could get in the way, and sometimes supply extra storage space.
A Multi-Tiered Patio
A sloped yard, or a patio raised higher off the ground, is an opportunity to take advantage of multi-level outdoor living. This adds to your ability to create different spaces for all of your outdoor activities. Create a large area with plenty of space and seating for neighborhood gatherings or family parties, and a smaller cove tucked into a hillside for intimate conversations. As you reorganize or rebuild, make sure to reserve an area that is comfortable and easily accessible for elderly or disabled family members.
Outdoor Kitchens and Pizza Ovens
By designating outdoor areas for cooking and eating, you’ll have created the perfect gathering spots for family dinners or a cocktail party with close friends. Your outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a gas grill with a prep area and a sink. Customize your space by adding elements such as drawers and cabinets, a wine cooler, an island counter with barstools, a table and chairs, or a pergola. Your outdoor kitchen could be built of natural stone so that it is visually suitable for your environment, and also durable and weather-proof.
Pizza ovens make a great addition to any outdoor kitchen, or can work wonderfully as a standalone feature in the yard. Yours can be fully customized or you could choose a prebuilt version. Then you may be inspired to try your hand at making homemade pizza dough.
Water and Plants
Consider adorning your new patio with a selection of native plants and water features. Not only will native plants grow successfully in their natural environment, they will be a positive contribution to your ecosystem and look gorgeous on your patio in large, colored ceramic pots. Larger plants will add an element of privacy to your home. Water features such as a small tiered fountain can be a focal point or simply offer a sweet melody of water in the background.
No matter what your style preferences are, or how much space you have to work with, there are many ways to make your new patio feel like your own personal getaway.
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