Friday, February 11, 2011

Adding A Patio Can Create A Great Hang Out

By Luke Maruss


Building a patio on to your home is a great investment. In addition to adding value to your home, it will also give you and your family a great place to hang out and enjoy the outdoors.

Entertaining in your home will become even more fun with your new patio. Just imagine having cocktails with your close friends or family bbq's on the patio. You can even have a great lunch out there on a lovely summer day! There are many different types of patios, and there's definitely something for everyone. If you're not sure what style you prefer, the best way to decide is by searching around!

Before you start planning the design of your patio, figure out how much space you have to work with. Take measurements and sketch out the space. This way when you're shopping, you can actually keep a diagram of where you can put the materials and avoid over-crowding the space.

If you're not sure of the look to go for, the best way is to get ideas from others. Take a look of other patios in the area and this will help you decide on what you like or dislike. You can look at your neighbors (although you don't want to copy them too much!) or take a drive through the neighborhood for ideas. This is a great way to see what's out there.

Other than homes in the area, consider taking note of patios in public places like parks, malls and restaurants. They're not private patios, but they still may have features that spark your interest. Don't forget to check out magazines as well. This is one of my favorite ways to get ideas, as they're professionally designed!

Searching around will help you figure out what your needs are and what style you really appreciate most. Some of the stylish designs on patios can consist of simple planters or all sorts of pretty flowers. For a more contemporary look, you may want to consider a waterfall or a fire pit. Fire pits are a great way to enjoy the patio even during the evening. As for the evening, lighting is extremely important as well.

There are also different types of materials to choose from when building your patio. Some of the more popular materials include stone, brick, cement and wood. Many people even combine different materials.

If you keep all these things in mind while planning and building your patio, you'll end up with a great place to hang out. All the work will be worth it as you have a new part of your home that everyone will love!




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