Patio Design Ideas for Your Dream Patio
Build the Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen
Do you love to host? Is grilling your favorite summer activity? Then consider an outdoor kitchen for your patio space. No outdoor kitchen is complete without a grill, but Abt offers other options if you want to replicate the kitchen experience outdoors. If you have the space, consider adding an outdoor refrigerator or beverage center and an outdoor sink to your setup. Of course, your guests will also need somewhere to sit. Invest in a great patio dining set so everyone can enjoy their meal comfortably. We're fans of the Bernhardt Atlas collection pictured above for its stylish, California modern-inspired aesthetic and durable construction. The chairs don't have cushions, so it's easier to maintain your furniture. The neutral color palette looks great with most home styles, and you can always add some color with a patio umbrella or lawn decor.
Outdoor Dining for Two (or Four)
Even if you're not the backyard BBQ type, there is something about enjoying a meal outside on a beautiful day and watching the sunset. A smaller round table, even a bistro table, offers comfortable seating and a more intimate setting if you prefer smaller gatherings. They can also be used to add additional seating to a larger outdoor setup; supplement a larger outdoor dining table or use it as a different seating space away from the dinner table. Of course, a table that seats two or four is also ideal to elevate smaller patios. If you live in an apartment or condo, you can use a bistro table to create a patio experience on your balcony, even when you don't have access to a patio.
Bring the Living Room Outside
An outdoor dining set is a classic choice, but it's not the only way to enjoy your patio. Investing in an outdoor sectional and other comfy outdoor seating is perfect for hanging with friends. The customizable nature of sectional couches means you can choose the best shape for your patio. If you have the room, arm chairs create more visual appeal while adding more functional seating. To further elevate the space, add a fire pit; they let you enjoy s'mores with friends and help extend the functionality of your patio into the cooler months. Many fire pits can also work as tables, so they add an aesthetic element alongside a sectional. A large, rectangular fire table looks great with a large sectional, or a round style can add contrast to rectangular furniture.
Add Outdoor Entertainment
To further upgrade your outdoor living space, why not add some water-resistant tech? No matter what your setup looks like, adding some landscape speakers is a great way to enjoy music while you grill or splash in the pool. One of our favorite patio design ideas is incorporating subtle landscape speakers that look like rocks, so they blend in with your garden or other decor. Or, if movie night is more your speed, invest in an outdoor TV. Imagine cozying up on your outdoor sectional and enjoying movie night under the stars with your kids or your friends. Many brands offer full sun and partial sun models, so you can find the right option based on how much sunlight your yard gets. An outdoor TV can really complete an outdoor living space, so you can lounge the same way you do indoors while enjoying a beautiful summer day.
Other Factors to Consider
We want you to love your new patio furniture, no matter what you use your space for. But beyond aesthetics, you have to consider other elements of your setup.
Material choice is important—if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, you want to invest in a table that won't rust. You also might want to avoid chairs with thick cushions that absorb rain and get moldy.
Size is another important factor. If your patio is small, you'll have less room for seating. Consider what is most important to you; if a grill is a must-have, maybe your dining table needs to be smaller so the space doesn't feel cramped.
Of course, budget is probably the most important factor. Building an entire outdoor kitchen, for example, requires a much larger budget than buying a stylish bistro table and chairs. As a rule, outdoor furniture and electronics cost more than their indoor counterparts because they're built to withstand more wear and tear. Additionally, larger spaces will cost more to furnish as you'll need to purchase larger furniture or more pieces to make the space feel complete.
Discover More Patio Design Ideas
You can find more patio design ideas in our gallery of patio inspiration; we've made it easy to shop by room so you can give each area of your home a makeover. Abt offers a large selection of patio furniture, fire pits, outdoor appliances and outdoor electronics so you can find everything you need in one place. If you have questions about a particular piece of furniture or need help determining what will fit in your space, call our furniture experts at 800-860-3577 for guidance. We also have select outdoor furniture on display at our store in Glenview.
