Unique Trends in Patios and Decks

The popularity of staycations has led to more homeowners embracing unique trends for their outdoor living spaces. Patios and decks have gone through an incredible evolution in recent years as they have been transformed for multiple functions. The choices continue to increase and present options for everyone.

Plantscaping

Many homeowners have transformed their patios into gardens with plantscaping. Since some do not have the luxury of a large backyard, container gardening is enjoying a revival. It is versatile enough to meet multiple needs and can be changed frequently. Container gardening also has a more practical side that allows you to grow herbs and vegetables for the kitchen instead of only planting flowers. Recent trends in patios and decks have focused on bringing nature back with more plants instead of the usual lawn decorations. Considering the variety of containers that can be obtained and used, the design options are limitless. HGTV features a patio that has a mix of art, plants and bird feeders to create a comfortable atmosphere.

Fire Pits

Fire pits create an easy focal point for an outdoor area, and they are growing in popularity. Many homeowners are installing them because they let you use the yard past the warm months. Although they are popular in colder areas, fire pits have been embraced as a design trend in many locations. The DIY Network offers suggestions for creating your own fire pits with a variety of stone and concrete shapes. Most fire pits are round, but square and rectangular shapes are becoming more common. Location and safety are obvious concerns, so it is important to use correct materials at a safe distance from a house and making sure flames are always supervised.

Architectural Upgrades

Homeowners are spending more time in their backyards, so architectural upgrades to the patio and deck areas have become more popular. These updates range from replacing old wood to complete renovations. Some owners are trying to match modern patio furniture, and InteriorDesign.net has highlighted the recent trends of simple pieces with flat forms. Call Mum offers ideas about transforming the outdoor space into something unique and more energy efficient. Architect Mac Patterson, featured in Cottages-gardens.com, has combined utility with beauty to renovate a home’s deck. Patterson’s multifunctional doors can be raised to increase the space for outdoor activities and still provide protection from the sun or rain.

Embedded Umbrellas

Embedded umbrellas are a recent trend that provides more shade for patios and decks while adding a unique touch. Instead of the traditional material umbrellas that rely on stands and cannot be left outside all year, some homeowners are turning to permanent options. Umbrellas made completely out of wood and featuring a wood shade instead of canvas are growing in popularity. Since they are embedded into the deck area, there is no danger of them falling over. Another option is to use the traditional canvas umbrellas but have them permanently attached to the furniture.

Outdoor Kichens

Outdoor kitchens are another trend that developed from the growing use of staycations among homeowners. Since they are reducing the number of vacations, entertaining outdoors is becoming more popular. Creating an outdoor kitchen is the perfect solution for households that can afford the installation. It reduces the need to run back and forth to the kitchen by bringing everything to the deck and patio. Some homeowners have installed professional appliances to make the area a complete kitchen with a grill. Many of the designs feature stoves, sinks, ovens and cabinets. Since space is often an issue while cooking, there are outdoor kitchens with extra islands for prep work. Many of them are made with stone or bricks, but there is no limit to the creativity of some homeowners. Considering the expense of installing all of these features, some people have turned to a simple wood-fired oven to cook outdoors.

Vibrant Colors

Adding bursts of color is becoming an important trend in patios and decks. Furniture has traditionally been the only source of extra color, but even it is getting a transformation with more vibrant shades becoming available. HGTV features designers combining blue, red and yellow, but pillows are no longer the only way to add bold colors. The furniture can be painted in different shades and even the pavement used for the patio area can be colorful. Stones can be stamped and dyed. Mosaics can be created out of many materials. David Bromstad presents another way to add color to the backyard. He combines vibrant shades of blue, yellow, red and orange to paint the entire space. He also adds oversized metal flowers to change the fence from boring to fun. If the bold shades clash with your personal style, there are more subdued ways of adding color to your patios and decks. Darker shades that match the natural environment are another option.