Patio styles that evoke favorite vacation destinations
Not looking to book a plane ticket this year? That doesn't mean you can't relax at a tiki bar or enjoy a Zen garden. Homeowners are looking to create their own outdoor escapes with a touch of flavor from around the world.
“Outdoor rooms are about living as comfortably and functionally outdoors as we do indoors,” says Jamie Durie, host of HGTV's “The Outdoor Room” and author of several home design books. “The trick is to determine how you can best achieve this in your unique space.”
The Miami Beach Resort
Design Goal: A patio with an art deco feel. “You can either achieve this through a color scheme of white, espresso, silver and stainless steel, or you can opt for more tropical colors to pull together this patio style,” says Will Hayward, creative director of Setting the Space Design, a design firm in Plymouth, Mass.
Floors/Walls: “A poured concrete floor paired with slatted wood walkways will make this patio pop,” suggests Lily Gahagan, market editor of Houzz.com, an online community for home design enthusiasts.
Colors: If you're going for a tropical look, accessorize with bright pinks, burnt oranges, wild purples and turquoise, Durie says.
Furniture: Shop for white wicker wide-weave couches with pale cushions that have a pop of color, Hayward says.
Appliances: A gas cooktop for easy outdoor meals.
Standout Item: These modern-minimalist Barrow Loungers by West Elm ($329, above right) are inspired by the poolside parties of Miami and Palm Springs.
The Caribbean Paradise
Design Goal: A light and airy retreat that feels fresh and beachy. Accent the patio with a lazily spinning overhead fan. “Accessorize the space with tropical trees such as Sago palms as well as Mandevilla plants,” suggests Durie. “Finish the look with brass lighting, colored glass, bright fabrics and outdoor curtains with bright tropical turquoise prints.”
Floors/Walls: Stone and teak floors are just right for this patio style, Hayward says.
Colors: Use cushions and accessories in bright colors like orange and Caribbean blue in this space. “These colors will inject a feeling of fun into your backyard patio,” says Gahagan.
Furniture: Shop for white wicker sofas topped with cushions in white, cream, teal and blue accents. “Or go for comfort with hammocks, loungers and lots of pillows,” Gahagan adds.
Appliances: A self-contained outdoor bar with a fridge.
Standout Item: This striped hand-woven hammock chair ($94, below) from Ten Thousand Villages will beckon you to relax — plus, its fair trade credentials make it a socially conscious outdoor choice.
The Mediterranean Escape
Design Goal: A lush, rustic space filled with mosaics, brick and majolica (tin-glazed earthenware) pottery. “To complete the look, plant bougainvillea and lavender either in containers or in the garden surrounding your patio,” Durie says.
Floors/Walls: Keep the space neutral by constructing light, caramel-colored stone or terra cotta floors. “Or, opt to pave your floors with aged quarry brick,” Gahagan says. Decorate walls with Spanish tiles.
Colors: Paint the patio with ocher, gold, olive or brick red finishes, suggests Hayward. “These colors will give the space a Mediterranean-inspired feel,” he says.
Furniture: When shopping for furniture, select carved oak couches and richly painted glossy wood chairs with a rustic finish, Hayward adds.
Appliances: An outdoor pizza oven.
Standout Item: This outdoor copper fire pit from Grandin Road ($129, below) adds romantic lighting to your traditional patio space. It's perfect for making s'mores, too.
The Bali Retreat
Design Goal: Think koi pond and bamboo for this patio, which should ultimately feel like a reflective retreat where you can do yoga, relax and meditate. “You want this patio to evoke tranquillity and a sense of calm,” Durie says.
Floors/Walls: To pull together the space, install floors made of stone, sand, gravel and beach rock, Hayward suggests. Walls can be simple bamboo poles or Balinese carvings, Durie adds.
Colors: Lime greens and white work best in this patio, Hayward recommends.
Furniture: Shop for furniture, whether it's seating or a dining room table and chairs, in bamboo and teak, Hayward says.
Appliances: Outdoor drawer fridge.
Standout Item: This contemporary water fountain ($325, below) from Soothing Walls is made of stacked geometric shapes and comes in natural tones of slate and copper.
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