Lifestyle

Low-maintenance patio

Posted May 29, 2016 5:00 am

By Margery Katalinich of Palatine

A low-maintenance patio is the request of Margery Katalinich of Palatine.

This will be our third summer in our "not so new" house. We have never really enjoyed the small backyard. We have a small area for a table but we have another area that is begging for some decent seating. Currently it has an old lounger with no companion seating.

I'd love to see a planter box as a focal point, which would be seen from table and seating. We would like to be able to enjoy the yard in the evening. We have a free-standing fire pit that we enjoy and store when not in use. We are a busy family with a son who plays Palatine travel baseball. We would love an attractive, low-maintenance patio.

Design by Steinhafels

Budget: $5,000

This outdoor space feels very airy and lacks depth.

Suggestions:

• For low-maintance furniture for the outdoors, Adirondack furniture is the way to go. It's the easiest to keep clean, and it doesn't hold water because it doesn't have fabric. Use both the lounge chairs and the dining table to compliment the look.

• On the back side of the family eating area I have added lounge chairs that will allow a relaxing environment to enjoy some sunshine and conversation.

• I have added a patterned outdoor rug to bring color and dimension to the space, as well as mimic colors from the umbrella.

A colorful outdoor rug and cantilever umbrella, at right, both add color for relaxing times outdoors in the sun.

Hildreth has found low-maintenance furniture for this patio layout, at right.

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.