When it comes to living alfresco, Perth is lucky enough to enjoy one of the best climates anywhere in the world for relaxing and entertaining outside. Because of the 300 days of sunshine a year we can depend on, it makes sense to spend some time and effort making sure our patios are the natural bridge between our house and our garden. Whatever your taste or budget, there are lots of simple yet effective ways of transforming your patio into a stunning, functional and comfortable outdoor living space.
Lighting
Every Perth patio is a lovely place to relax with a glass of wine when the sun has gone down and the heat has gone out of the day. What’s more, if you get your outdoor lighting right, this is when your patio really does start to feel like a fantastic outdoor extension of your indoor space. If your patio is covered, installing a ceiling-mounted light will make the most of this feature and illuminate all your alfresco meals and evening reading. If not, try using wall-mounted lights with motion sensors to make sure you get the light you need each time you step outside. Alternatively, hanging a statement lamp over your patio table will provide the perfect lighting solution for alfresco meals with friends and family. And don’t forget the year-round appeal of twinkling fairy lights and candles. If you’ve got kids running around or are looking for a practical, wind-proof lighting solution, why not invest in some LED candle lights to create a romantic atmosphere?
Planting
Whether you have stone slabs or decking, Perth outdoor living spaces are always hugely enhanced by the addition of greenery. If you’re a keen gardener with time on your hands, you can really go to town with your patio planting, however for a hassle-free, low-maintenance solution potted plants are the way to go. Choose pots to suit your colour scheme and make sure you pick the correct potting mix for your chosen plant. Grasses tend to be a great low-maintenance choice but it’s best to talk to the staff at your local garden centre about your own specific needs in terms of space, shade and the time you can spare to tend your plants. And don’t forget that it’s important to choose wisely if you don’t want to actively attract unwelcome guests to your outdoor gatherings in the form of insects!
Furniture
When it comes to outdoor living Perth offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors in the comfort of your own home. Keen cooks with big families will require a large table to host their alfresco dinner parties, whereas singles or couples with a small space may prioritise a couple of sun loungers to relax on with a drink and a good book at the weekend. Again, when furnishing your patio, it’s important to think about how much space you have and what you want to do with it. If space isn’t an issue and you envisage your patio as being the hub of family life then it’s worthwhile creating a comfortable ‘living-room’ area away from the dining area complete with a garden sofa set and coffee table.
Shade
When designing custom patios there’s a real need for protection from the sun in WA. After all, there is no point in creating a fantastic outdoor living area that is just too hot and uncomfortable to sit in most of the time. This is particularly true if you’re planning to eat outdoors on a regular basis. Timber or aluminium-framed covered patios are a stunning addition to your home that will add value to your property as well as looking fantastic. With these, you also get the advantage of being able to add fans to the ceiling to make your outdoor area a true all-weather destination. Alternatively, you can create much-needed shade with a pergola, a glide-and-slide mechanism or a good old-fashioned parasol. These days garden parasols come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes and can provide a cost-effective and versatile solution to your shading needs.
Kitchen Equipment
If you more or less live outdoors and your budget and space allows, why not transform part of your Perth Patio into a show-stopping outdoor kitchen where you can entertain family and friends all year round as well as cooking your day-to-day meals? If this isn’t for you, there are other stylish ways of incorporating your outdoor cooking into your patios space. Too often, gas barbies are simply parked on our patio space as an afterthought, so why not put some thought into choosing and positioning your barbie to best suit the layout of your patio? Or why not try something a little different with a pizza oven? These are always a big hit with kids and teens and when family and friends come round for dinner.
The Finishing Touches
There’s no place like home and we only truly create that feeling when we add the final flourishes that are personal to us. Outside spaces are no different, so once you’ve sorted your basic layout it’s time to add the unique stamp of your character to your patio. You might choose an outdoor speaker system so you can enjoy your favourite music as you relax in your downtime. Or how about some outdoor rugs, throws and cushions to bring the cosy feel of the indoors outside on cooler evenings? Choosing great-quality outdoor glasses and plates is also a great way to make alfresco dining seem like a special event. Or why not treat yourself to a talking-point item like a hammock to while away those lazy Sunday mornings with a coffee and the newspaper? Outdoor-friendly artwork is also a great way to make a statement within your outdoor space. Or why not invest in some vases to create floral displays to bring the best of the indoors outside?
Whatever you decide, there are countless ways to make your patio everyone’s favourite place to be at your house. Platinum Outdoors can assist you if you call us on 0402 144 093 today.
