The patio is everyone’s favourite place to relax and unwind. But if you think that yours isn’t as beautiful as you want it to be, this guide will help you make the most out of it. Get the grill ready, prepare some drinks, and expect unforgettable social gatherings with your friends and family! Here are four great ways to spice up your patio and create a beautiful ambience.

Set Up a Stylish Patio Lounge

If your lounge doesn’t seem to be in a guest-ready shape anymore, consider getting a trendy outdoor lounge setting from well-known Australian retailers. Pick furniture pieces made from high-quality weatherproof materials that will keep you comfortable throughout the whole year. Select your ideal design and create a seamless transition from your indoor rooms to the outdoors.

When selecting outdoor lounge furniture, consider how you will be using your patio. Do you plan on doing barbecues often or you will simply relax by a fire pit? The many different lounge designs will help you achieve any style you’re going for.

Are you and your partner using this space the most? If that’s so, consider getting a cosy swivel bed. This luxury outdoor bed makes for the most romantic nights under the stars. Warm up with a throw blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the night!

What Are the Best Materials for Outdoor Patio Lounge Furniture?

When selecting outdoor furniture, choose low-maintenance materials and pieces that match the style and atmosphere of your house and landscape. There are many options for materials, but not all of them are suitable for the harsh Australian weather:

• Natural wood is a dependable material, but it needs frequent upkeep, weatherproofing and treatments UV protection. Weather-resistant woods, such as teak, redwood, and cedar are great options and need little to no maintenance.
• Rattan and wicker; This natural material gives your patio a relaxed and soothing look. Outdoor rattan furniture is often treated for protection against the elements; however, you do need to weatherproof it periodically to keep it in shape.
• Aluminium is lightweight, rustproof, and easy to clean with only water and soap. Although you might need to secure it in winds and storms, an aluminium outdoor lounge setting is easy to move around your patio whenever you want to do some rearranging.
• Wrought iron and steel; Both materials are durable and work well outdoors, but you have to weatherproof them regularly to avoid corrosion.
  

Accessorise with Cushions

Outdoor cushions beautify your lounge quickly and easily. They bring a blast of playful colour and texture that upgrades your furniture and puts you in a better mood. Have fun with cushions and use them to make your patio area more interesting.

I suggest selecting two main colours that you will use for your patio. If the furniture is on the neutral side, choose cushions with bold and lively hues. In many cases, cushions in contrasting colours work great in an outdoor area. For example, a warm red and a mysterious blue make a stylish and lively combination.

The cushion material is another factor that you need to consider. Although outdoor cushions are available in sturdy, durable materials, they are often not as comfy as inside cushions. They have the advantage of lasting longer and withstanding more abuse from the weather, making them a wiser choice. If comfort is your top priority – go for standard cushions for your outdoor area – just don’t leave them outside for long periods!

If you decide to go with specially designed outdoor cushions, consider buying cushions with removable covers so that you preserve your inserts and only swap out the covers when they wear out from exposure to the weather.

Play Around with Lighting

The right outdoor lights have a big impact on the look and feel of your patio, especially if you mostly use this area at night-time. Don’t let the good time end after sundown because your outside lighting is insufficient or non-existent. There are many types of outdoor lighting, and installing a singular wall light or some string lights is not enough to completely illuminate your patio.

It all comes down to picking the ideal lighting fixture for your garden and creating ambience. Take into consideration your patio’s size and location. If it’s closer to your home – several strategically placed wall-mount lights are enough to light it up. These fixtures come in many different styles and sizes, making wonderful décor elements on the outside of your home. If your patio is located at the end of a garden path, consider placing landscape lights that will help your guests navigate their way through.

Decorate with Plants

Lastly, plants are wonderful multi-purpose elements that add beauty to your patio. Not all of us are born gardeners (including myself), which is why I find self-watering planters helpful. You only need to fill up the reservoir and the planter takes care of your precious flowers for weeks!

Plant your favourite flowers and strategically place them around your seating area. A few favourites of mine are the yellow sunflowers, orange marigolds, and the red verbena. They create an irresistible fiery colour scheme that leaves all of my guests speechless. For a more modest look, plant with cool hues such as white bacopa, grey-leafed liquorice plant, or blue salvia.