For the perfect patio

Swati Rai

Lexicons will tell us that a patio is an area, usually paved, adjoining a house, which is used for outdoor lounging or dining. Call it whatever you want — piazza, verandah, balcony or the now archaic portico — it remains an extended home space, one that requires attention to detail and dressing it up to stamp it with personal style. Here’s a lowdown on how to make a trendy yet warm patio, however big or small.

Colour me bright

Bright and cool can co-exist in teals, turquoise and cerulean as the colour picks for your outdoor walls. They offer a quick perk to your mood as you sit sipping your tea and reading the daily dose of news. Placing wicker or faux-wicker furniture (the latter being easy on maintenance) with a small tea table on the side in a pop-up colour can liven up the place. River rocks encircling the patio underlined with wooden flooring will give it a functional yet timeless look.

If looking for something plain, go for classy Scandinavian décor in whites and beige. A ‘jungalow’ patio is incomplete without an electric fire bowl or the traditional fireplace to cast welcoming hues on the ambience. Cane and bamboo furniture, upholstered in rough and ready fabric matching the exteriors, adds a touch of class. Colour blocking upholstery and mixing shades of spring-flavoured and -patterned linen can add colour to your patio.

Balcony haven

Most urban homes will have space constraint. And balconies in such home are most often used as an additional storage space for bric-a-brac. An awning that acts as a cooling canopy can work wonders for that humble balcony. It can be dressed up for both a siesta and a social do.

Create a vertical garden space with multi-hued planters or let ceramic vases do the magic. Functional, foldable furniture is ideal due to storage constraints. Teak centre tables with slits for plants in the middle are great space savers. Khus chics on the outside not only look great, but are a necessity to shield one from hot winds. Avoid spreading rugs or placing book shelves here as this might further eat into the ‘me’ space. Placing a day bed, if space permits, and doing it up in boho-chic patterns and colours, is another way of livening up the place. Keeping the hues on the walls light will create a mirage of welcoming space.

Personal décor decoded

The patio or balcony space, however big or small, is your personal space and should reflect that. Add Victorian furniture, place a shabby tissue box on one side and see your outdoor experience go tasteless. But even a little thing like having a built-in book rack, combined with family photographs, a piece of art or even kitschy potted plants can add spark. Another way to personalise this alcove is by having an open kitchenette with an attached sink for those quick outdoor bites. Mosaic tiles and themed décor, ranging from Moroccan to the minimalist Japanese, also add variety to this space. A great way to add glamour to the patio is via a generous dose of fairy lights, gas lanterns, Chinese New Year lamps or even DIY paper cup shades. Use LED bulbs and add zest along with cutely patterned pennants.

The patio is an extension of your own self and its texture and feel speak volumes about the host. What’s your taste?