Backyard Patio Designs

'Patio' is a Spanish word which means a place in the backyard, mostly used for recreation. Australians use the word patio to refer to a verandah or a balcony. The patios are either constructed from bricks, stones or nowadays with the help of concrete. Stones that are generally used in constructing patios are slate, sandstone and limestone. Patios come under a category called hardscape. Hardscape is the part of a landscape that doesn't include plants. Some basic things should be kept in mind before designing a patio.

• The patio should look decent. Do not clutter it with unnecessary decorations.
• The decorative items in the backyard should be placed, keeping in mind the changing weather conditions.
• Keep in mind the target points of the sun i.e. the positions in the backyard which come in contact with direct sunlight. Thus, care should be taken to protect the elements of the hardscape.

Backyard Patio Designs
It is possible to design a backyard in a number of ways. There is a wide range of ideas to choose from.

• It is important to decide on a focal point of the patio. A focal point may be anything from a fountain, statue or even a flower bed. The important point is to highlight the focal point in such a way that it catches the attention of the onlooker.
• A pool can act as the best focal point in your backyard for the patio. Umbrellas and walkways around the pool can add to the beauty of your patio. Various themes can be shaped around the pool. Developing and decorating the area around the pool in line with a desert oasis can be an innovative idea.
• Lighting up the patio can be a fun activity. It provides ample scope to exhibit your creativity. The lights can be placed in the form of torches along the walkways and hanging lights over trees.
• Along with the lighting and focal point, a patio cover should be given its due importance. The activity of covering a patio with different elements such as furniture should take into account the climatic conditions of that particular place. Patios in tropical regions should arrange for umbrellas and awnings. In temperate countries, there is always a possibility of rains. Permanent covers such as corrugated roofs should be installed in these cases. The furniture used in decorating the patios are generally wooden.
• A pergola too can add beauty to the backyard. A pergola is mostly supported by a wall of a garage, greenhouse or the house. It filters the sunlight passing through it and provides a nice place for the flower beds to grow.

Tips for Patio Designs
Along with the designing skills and efforts you put in your backyard, remember these easy tips.

• Maintenance of patios is an important task. The budget for minor changes, maintenance and repairs should be taken into account.
• The materials to be placed in a patio should not be affected by sunlight. To avoid over exposure to sunlight, the chairs, and other items should be placed in the southern part of the backyard.
• Instead of constructing a usual square shaped patio, new shapes should be tried out. Patios that make use of different geometrical shapes are in vogue nowadays. The edges should be curved in shape instead of the commonly found angular ones.
• Make sure that the patio is built on an even surface.

Patios are not just concrete pavements created to eat up your backyard space. The design you select for your patio, reflects your personality. The designing of a patio should be looked upon as a creative activity, instead of a time consuming boring task. A good patio needs a lot of effort and some thinking on your part to make it a beautiful place.