How to Make Your Patio Comfortable

Patios can be an eyesore, but with a little effort they can be valuable living space that provides a little relaxation.

Things You'll Need

• Indoor/Outdoor Rug(s)
• Patio Furniture
• Plants of your choice
• Small Table(s)
• Pictures/Wall Hangings
• Ceiling or Stand-Up Fan

Instructions

1. The first thing you should do is clean your patio. Patios have a tendency to get dusty and dirty when they aren't used much. Starting with a clean slate will make the patio more comfortable.

2. Measure the floor area of your patio. Measure the length and the width. Take these measurements with you to your favorite home store and purchase an indoor/outdoor rug that fits those measurements. Sometimes you can find a smaller rug and buy 2 (or 3) to cover the area. Getting an indoor/outdoor rug is very important as regular rugs are not made to stand up to the rain and weather that the patio is exposed to. A regular rug will also stay wet longer which is prime breeding ground for mold and mildew.

3. Next, find some patio furniture that coordinates well with your chosen rugs. The furniture can be a couple of chairs or even a sofa that is made to be outdoors. The furniture can be found at many stores like Target, Home Depot or Walmart. It doesn't need to be expensive to look nice. Make sure that you have enough seating for the amount of people that use your patio regularly. If you have a small patio make sure the furniture you pick will fit comfortably in the space.

4. Add a couple of small decorative tables that can be used to set drinks or other things on. Make sure that the tables are a good height for the furniture that you've chosen. There are many different types of decorative tables at the stores listed above.

5. If your patio has the available wall space, choose some coordinating pictures or wall hangings to hang. This will help the patio feel more like an extension of the inside of your home.

6. If your patio already has a ceiling fan then you can skip this step. If not, putting a stand-up fan in this area will make the patio more comfortable. Of course, this depends greatly on where you live, if your patio never gets too hot then you probably don't need one. A stand-up fan with a remote is a nice addition that's easy to turn on or off from across the patio.

7. The last step to making your patio comfortable is to add some plants (if you still have room). Adding plants, small palms are nice, can hide unsightly areas and fill in space. They also bring a little bit of the outside in.

8. Your patio should now be ready for you to do some relaxing!

Tips & Warnings

• Pick brighter colors to make the patio feel a little bigger.

• If possible, put the plants where they might get some rainfall and sun.

• If you have inexpensive paintings you want to use, apply a clear epoxy made for paintings (found at craft stores) to prevent fading.

• Don't over-crowd your space, this will make the patio seem smaller.

• Make sure to use rugs and furniture that are meant for the outdoors.

• Don't use expensive pictures or wall hangings. They may fade and wear due to being outside.