Creative Patio Design Ideas

Patios have always been our favorite place for spending leisure hours, be it barbecuing in the afternoon, sipping cocktails or just for reading a book or relaxation. Patios are the ideal place for having an exotic meal, reading your favorite book, conversing with friends and family within the premises of your dwelling. You can also spend your evenings and nights in the patios, but make sure to have a proper lighting arrangement to suit your eyes; choose from the best patio design ideas that can match up to your taste and preference.

Patios come in various themes and designs to be chosen from and the size and mood of the patio are two determinant factors that need to be sorted before finalizing a design. You ought to decide upon the size first; whether you want a large or a small patio and that will help you in choosing the ultimate design and creating an awesome ambiance for your home where you can spend some quality time in solitude.

There are certain elementary things to be considered before chalking a plan for your patio; if you have an existing patio and you want some improvisation you must focus on the present view of the patio, the weather and the point where the sun hits during summer and winter. In such cases, it's ideal to be creative in improvising the existing designs to make best use of the view and then make some possible changes to it.

The focal point of a patio is of significant importance and that's the preliminary factor which draws attention. The correct focal point is the highlight of a good patio design. If you find too many odd edges in the patio, you can choose from certain focal points like fountain, statue or a flower bed as a disguise.

If you have a pool in the house, you can create a resort like feel within the house almost effortlessly. Umbrellas of various color schemes can be used as great designs to add that feel to your patio. Of all the colors, dark green has been a favorite amongst people as it can also serve the purpose of covering the area temporarily. If you love the sun, just close those umbrellas and soak yourself.

Choosing the correct lighting is very vital for your patio design as it gives a lively feel to the area during the night. Proper lights are not just meant to beautify your patio design, but it also ensures your safety when you walk around the patio at night. There are various patio lighting options as well to be chosen; some of the common ones are torches, lights hanging from the trees or ceilings etc. Torches bring in a natural feel to the ambiance, while the lights used with gazebos or covers give a romantic feel to it. Make sure to use proper lighting in the strategic areas such as, steps, walkways and level changes for safety.

Patio covers must be chosen carefully and according to the weather of the area that you live in. If you are located at a place that is sunny all through the year, you can choose temporary covers for the patio, such as, umbrellas and awnings. But if you are located at a place that is less sunny with occasional rain showers during the year, you can opt for permanent covers for your patio, such as, pergolas, corrugated metal roofs and gazebos.

Great patio design ideas add an extra element to the dwelling that is appealing to the eyes and functional as well. While choosing the best suited patio design for your dwelling do keep in mind that the design you choose would reflect your thought and personality and as such you must come up with the best.

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How to Clean Patio Cushions

Taking care of your patio cushions means they will last longer and look better too. Check the care instructions if you still have them but if not most outdoor cushions can be cleaned with the following few steps. If you're unsure then test this on an unseen part of one cushion (such as the underside) to make sure you're happy with the results. Wear protective gloves to avoid cleaning solutions irritating hands.

Cleaning a Cushion (Dirt spots and General Grubbiness)

• * Add a few capfuls of mild detergent to a bucket of warm water and froth up to form soap suds.
• * Dip a sponge in the water and gently scrub the cushions especially those parts of the cushions which are particularly dirty.
• * Rinse the cushions with clean water but avoid getting them too wet as this will facilitate drying.
• * Allow the cushions to dry by laying them out in the sun (turn them to make sure that both sides are dry) or in a warm room. Cushions need to be thoroughly dried before they are replaced on furniture or put into storage to prevent mold and mildew.

Cleaning a Patio Cushion which has become Mildewed

• * If cushions have already become damaged by mildew, then create a solution of 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent to 1 quart of warm water and add 1 teaspoon of borax.
• * Soak the cushions on both sides with the solution (it will need to penetrate to kill the spores).
• * Let the solution soak in for 15 minutes then gently scrub any particularly dirty areas.
• * Rinse the cushions- you can use a garden hose if necessary to rinse the cushions of all the cleaning solution and dry thoroughly.

Protect Your Cushions from Getting Dirty

If the protective coating on cushions is wearing off (or they did not have one in the first place) then you can give your patio cushions a spray on all sides with fabric protector such as Scotch Guard. Follow instructions on the spray can before use and be sure to test on an unseen area.

Be Especially Careful with Sun Cream

Take care when using your patio cushions not to allow sun cream or oil soak into the material. This can be very damaging to the fabric and is difficult to clean. Wipe off right away if you notice sun tan lotion on the fabric or treat with a commercial fabric stain remover.

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Patio Cover Designs

Selecting a Patio Cover Design is a personal choice. If an architect designed the patio then the cover has to be of appropriate quality and custom made. But if the patio has been done by you, then decide on a cover that is easily fixed and durable. The neighbor's Patio Cover does look good but it might be out of budget or would not match with house layout and usage. The patio could be for general use or a utility room to place a grill, clothes hanger, a table and few chairs; for entertaining purposes; a hobby or recreation room or an all weather living area for you and family pets.

Consult friends and magazines and do not go by availability. Designs are plentiful, from colored or striped awnings for partial covers, patio umbrellas for limited area cover, or solid aluminum or wood patio covers for complete protection against sun and rain. The wood or aluminum wood Patio Cover could be practical and fashionable and is available in a lattice or dome-shaped design. These covers are made of the highest quality material and do not twist, rot, warp or decay. Wood is being replaced with aluminum as it is maintenance-free, providing protection from the sun and rain for extended periods. Solar design patio covers are ideal in areas with plenty of sunlight. These covers, along with offering shade, produce clean and environmentally friendly electricity.

Selecting a Patio Cover Design also depends on the décor and shape of structure supporting it. A solid cover design is a good choice if you want to block out sun and rain or do not want to cover or remove outdoor items. In this case, an alternate would be to cover a portion of the patio with a solid roof and other half with lattice design. Another Patio Cover Design is pergola, which complements an attractive backyard. One can create a relaxing outdoor atmosphere with a pergola structure either attached to the house or free standing. The angled slats give an airy feeling and at same time block sun to provide comfortable shade.

If you are a practical person then select a gable Patio Cover framed with aluminum rafters with no visible fastening system or ugly screws. If you really want to make full use of the patio in rain and sunshine then have a clear canopy made with indestructible polycarbonate with aluminum frames that will not rust. The canopy is available in clear and bronze tints.

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