Patio – An outdoor space used for dining and relaxation that adjoins a residence, typically paved.
This describes my patio perfectly, it connects the kitchen to the bar/tv room and makes my home perfect for entertaining through the summer months. At one end I have a small covered pergola which protects the BBQs ( yes we have two, a gas and a charcoal one!). A sofa seating area and a circular dining table with parasol over.
Practical Design
I thought about the design of the patio as an outside room, these are the considerations and choices I made.
When planning a patio try to have the kitchen door opening straight onto the patio and the dining table as close to the door as possible. This way you will use the outside dining space frequently . Our kitchen table is the same distance as our patio table from the kitchen prep area, so if the weather is nice we eat outside. If you have to carry food and dining equipment a long way ( and back again after) you will find it a faff and end up eating inside.
Furniture
My patio furniture is from Bramblecrest it is all weather rattan. I’ve had it for about six years. I leave the dining table outside all year. It is easily cleanable and extremely hard wearing.
I chose a large round dining table which seats eight to ten people. Round tables seat more and are easier to socialise at, as everyone can see each other. It has a lazy Susan and I would definitely recommend this feature. I’m on my second parasol, it was replaced last year after I left it up in a storm and it snapped!
The corner sofa is modular and can be dismantled in the winter and stacked in the garage for easy storage, along with the matching coffee table.
I sometimes like to bring the kitchen table out onto the patio and add a white table cloth lots of candles and you get a restaurant feel.
The candelabra, mini vases, jug and candles are all available in my shop https://katyatthemanorshop.com/collections/casa-verde
Flooring
My patio is paved with concrete slabs which are cast to resemble the York slabs at the National trust property Polesden Lacey. I think they have aged beautifully and the lichen formations make them feel genuine. My husband doesn’t agree and would like to jet wash them!
I have put an outside rug on the patio for the last few years. It’s amazing what a difference they make to the space, it pulls the scheme together and makes this corner feel very cosy. This year I bought a new 6ft x 6ft rug from Irugs in a traditional design. It has already been drenched by the rain and dried out very quickly. I leave the rugs out all summer.
Planting
A statement climber is a must. I have a wisteria, which gives interest from spring to autumn. Flowering through May and providing a lush green back drop throughout summer and turning golden in the autumn. I have written a separate blog post on my wisteria or press here to see my wisteria instagram highlight. There are many climbers you can choose but wisteria is my personal favourite.
On the patio I have many pots. Some are here throughout the year and some are seasonal additions. I have three olive trees, two young ones either side of the kitchen door and one 200yr old olive in a half barrel. Olives are hardy down to -10’c and add a Mediterranean feel. Press here to see my olive tree instagram highlight.
I have a selection on terracotta pots standing on the patio. I move these around seasonally. Hostas look particularly lush in pots throughout the summer.
One of my favourite statement pots is from Pots and Pithoi these are artisan made terracotta pots from Crete, i just have ivy in mine to show off the pots beauty.
I also favour succulents and tropical plants like my bird of paradise, which has two flowers coming this year, on the patio. These plants need to be stored in a greenhouse over the winter.
Lighting and Accessories
Lighting choices outside are just as important outside as inside your home. I have two mains wall lanterns, operated from inside the house. I have fairy lights on all three olive trees which are on a timer. These are here all year. In the summer I add candles in lanterns and pots around the patio, table and walls. All the candles and lanterns pictured below are from my shop press HERE to view on the website.
I like to have decorative accessories around the patio as a finishing touch. Potholders both wall hung and freestanding, vases, jugs and candleholders.
Many of the accessories below are available in my shop press HERE to view on the website.
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Thank you for reading my blog, follow me on instagram for more garden and home updates. Katy x
