All of us enjoy spending time in the outdoor spaces of our house. It gives us an opportunity to feel closer to nature. The jubilation of stepping outside in moderate temperatures, hosting deck barbecues, and garden picnics are unmatched. While having a garden is a top choice of clients to be incorporated into their house designs, however, with the evolution of residential architecture and design, many people are now also interested to invest in building a stylish patio in their homes. The patio is a paved courtyard, placed at the outer end of the house, open to the sky. They are constructed in multiple designs, some connected to the inner of the house, while some stand alone as an independent feature. If you have an outdoor space you dream about changing into a beautiful patio, here’s a list of easy tips by top architects in Lahore to help you glam up your patio:

Add A Pergola On Top

6 Tips to Glam Up Your Patio

Pakistan experiences long stretches of severe summers. To design a patio that can be used during the daytime, architects in Pakistan opt for a smart fix like adding a pergola on top of it. Pergola is a simple structure consisting of an open lattice grid of rafters, standing on independent columns. It can be made into different designs using a range of different materials like wood, glass, bamboo, fiberglass, iron rod, etc. However, the most popular designs are constructed using the combination of wooden beams and a glass sheet on top, functioning as an enormous skylight.  A garden pergola instantly makes the patio look more relaxing and private. If you have a love for greens, then you can cover your pergola with a beautiful vine that will boost the aesthetic appeal. Or you can also hang beautiful white chiffon curtains, that can be tied up around the pillars or opened to give your patio airy walls and a glammed French country look.

Build A Fire Pit

Build A Fire Pit

Creating a patio that offers a functional yet stylish design allows you to have an attractive outdoor space. One of the top trends in patio design is to build a fire that helps enhance the beauty of the patio and ensures its use by the inhabitants.  The fire pit is frequently used as a gathering point where friends and family can sit around the fire and enjoy a warm winter’s night. Also, people use these fire pits as active grills during outdoor barbecues and dinner parties. A fire pit is built in different designs including circular, square, table shaped, dug in, and layered. It is a personal preference to choose any design as all fulfill the same purpose. When building a fire pit, it doesn’t matter how big or small the patio is or what design it reflects, a fire pit can help set a more inviting and peaceful mood outdoor.

Rattan Décor

Rattan Décor

The trend of using rattan for interior and exterior design has been surfacing in the market for many years. The popularity of this trend across different eras of style has turned into a timeless choice for patio décor. Rattan is made from natural abaca strands, commonly known as palm strands. They are easy to bend and are used to build different kinds of furniture ranging from sofas to tables to chairs etc. This material is eco-friendly, sustainable, and has high durability. Furniture to be placed on the patio should have the strength to withstand different climatic conditions as it will be placed outdoors permanently which is why rattan is a sensible choice to invest in. Also, such furniture is a classic that goes with all the color schemes and designs. So if you are looking to revamp your patio, opting for rattan décor is a good idea. You can use rattan sofas and combine them with colorful cushions and a boho hand-knotted rug to enhance the charm. Or you can stay simple and opt for traditional rattan chairs with monotone comfortable cushions paired up with a wooden center table.

Kitchen Corner

Kitchen Corner

Outdoor kitchens are a popular feature in the patio design these days.  People are interested to build a beautiful cooking space outside so that they can spend more time outdoors and enjoy the feel of cooking closer to nature.  Keeping this in mind, Architectural Design Firms in Pakistan are building outdoorkitchens. Be it the fancy grill or ovens or small refrigerators, they offer it all. Once again, an outdoor kitchen is a feature that is not affected by the size or design of the patio, it beautifully syncs with all of them ranging from very luxurious and modern patios to the basic minimalistic designs. So if you have a thing for cooking outdoor and are planning to build a patio then make sure that you incorporate a little kitchen corner and enjoy the feast sitting in your own patio!

Lighting Zones

Lighting Zones

Lighting plays a pivotal role in any outdoor and indoor setting. When setting up a patio, the importance of building a proper lighting design cannot be ignored, as it is a space that is to remain functional during the day and night time. Keeping the requirements in view, Architectural companies in Pakistan suggest that there should be at least three lighting sources in a patio to create the right lighting zones. If your patio has a roof or pergola, make sure that the first light source is the ceiling lights because they provide unified lighting for the space. The second light zone is to be created closer to the floor to mark the areas. For example, if your patio is surrounded by stepping stones and plants then placing LED lights will make the areas more visible and add to the overall lighting effect of the patio. And lastly, make sure to add decorative lights to help create a relaxing mood. Decorative lights come in various designs and types including string lights, fancy lamps, and hanging shades. Make sure to light up your patio and enjoy a lively time outdoors.

A Regal Water Fountain

The sound of water has deep relaxing attributes. Be it a river flowing, rain, or a fountain, the sound plays its magic every time. In old times, people used the sound of water to convey a feel of peace and calm within a setting. When designing an outdoor patio, installing a fountain has always been a top favorite choice of clients as it helps provide not just a regal aesthetically appealing look to the décor but also enhances the element of peace and tranquility because of the sound of water.  Fountains are available in numerous designs and shapes. Some vendors also offer to build custom made fountains as well. The most commonly used fountains in patio designs include marble fountains, sculptured ones and tabletop fountains.  Other than the design, the placement of a fountain on the patio is very important to consider. When installing a fountain, it has to be ensured that the location is such that it is accessible and allows people to enjoy the whole aura of a royal fountain. Don’t hide that beautiful piece of art, place it in a focal spot and enjoy its beauty because the calming sounds of water surrounded by fresh outdoor greenery can transform any landscape into a magical relaxing zone.

The tips listed above can make the process of designing a modern and stylish patio easier for you. An open patio, roofed with an exquisite pergola topped with beautiful vines, comfortable rattan furniture, and the calming sound of water is the perfect combination to glam up your patio.