How to Turn Your Outdoor Patio Into a Relaxing Retreat

Whether small or large, a patio can be an essential space for relaxing and entertaining. With savvy decorating ideas and clever landscaping, these patios are packed with inspiration for your own outdoor retreat.

Brick flooring brings a natural and rugged aesthetic to this patio. The contrasting orange tones are brought out by the deep terracotta wall behind. Benches either side of a fire pit create a welcoming focal point that’s great for chilling in the garden whatever the weather.

Modern grey dining area

Whether you’re hosting dinner parties or simply eating your morning coffee, a well-designed grey dining area will add character and charm. Opt for a pale dove or taupe shade on the walls for a calm and serene look that’s easy on the eye, and pair it with white trim and crown molding.

Textured wallpapers also make a great grey dining room idea, creating visual interest and introducing warmth. Grasscloth wallpapers like this decadent scheme by Rosendale Design ooze warmth and style, bringing a natural finish that chimes with stained timber details and striking art.

Grey kitchen ideas are another stylish way to incorporate this versatile hue, with a variety of cupboards and shelving units available to suit every size of space. Keep the theme consistent with grey cutlery and crockery, and even a patterned rug to create a cohesive look.

Fire pits and benches

A must-have for gardens of any size, a fire pit creates a focal point around which to relax and spend time in your garden – whatever the weather. Surround your fire pit with benches to make the area more comfortable and welcoming – choose from a wide selection of beautiful masonry designs.

Wooden benches are an obvious choice for natural fire pit seating ideas, while stone and other masonry options can also look gorgeous. These are often maintenance-free and built to last a lifetime – but they need staining and painting every few years to prevent the natural deterioration of the material.

A bench with back support is an essential option for more luxurious garden furniture, or choose a curved built-in banquette to add extra comfort to the space. You can even choose to have a storage bench, with hidden compartments to store all your outdoor essentials.

A cosy country garden

You don’t need a sprawling backyard to create an attractive patio. Even a tiny space can be transformed into a serene retreat with careful planning. Outfit a small shady spot with chairs and a table, then layer the area with patterned area rugs, mounted lanterns, and vases filled with fresh flowers.

Adding cottage garden plants like lupins is an easy way to instantly elevate any stone-paved patio. Neatly clipped evergreens provide structure against a sea of blooms, and can also be used to frame a doorway or border a patio.

Cottage gardens pair well with country homes of all types, including log houses and farmhouses. These old-timey landscapes are less about formality and more about capturing the feel of a historic rural property. Use every inch of planting to add color and texture, and be sure to include perennials for long-lasting flower power. Wildflowers and grasses also make for easy-care additions to any backyard garden.

A streamlined modern kitchen extension

Using the same kitchen colours on both the interior and exterior of your new extension is a great way to create a sleek, contemporary look. In this example, white handleless cabinets are echoed on the outdoor worktops to mark out a space for cooking and food preparation without confusing it with garden furniture.

Choosing full-height windows and doors for your kitchen extension is another easy way to bring the outside in. The Crittall-style windows in this family area help the dark kitchen scheme feel bright and airy. Roof lights positioned over the dining table maximise natural light, too.

Complete your patio with sleek deck furniture that will suit your chosen style. Add extra seating with dining chairs or slatted benches, or cosy up with a pair of loungers or a classic ottoman. For drinks, choose a bar cart with matching cocktail glasses or serve chilled beverages from a water cooler or ice bucket. Alternatively, hang a hammock for a peaceful spot to relax.

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