A well-designed patio can serve as an extension of your living space and allow you to take advantage of Perth’s stunning beauty and climate. Setting it up properly enables comfortable, year-round use that can make it your favourite place to hang out.
Whether you have a small or large patio or a limited budget, here’s how to make the most out of your patio.
Key Takeaways: 5 Tips for Making the Most of Your Patio
- Define the Primary Purpose: Decide how you want to use your patio so the layout, furniture, and features suit your lifestyle.
- Ensure Year-Round Use with Structure and Comfort: Add shade, shelter, privacy, and comfort so you can enjoy your patio in all seasons.
- Add Functional Features: Include practical additions like seating, cooking areas, lighting, or entertainment features to make the space more usable.
- Bring the Outdoors In with Decor and Ambiance: Use soft furnishings, greenery, lighting, and focal points to make your patio feel like an extension of your home.
- Maximise Small Patios: Choose space-saving furniture, lighter colours, mirrors, and vertical elements to make a smaller patio feel bigger and work harder.
1. Define the Primary Purpose
Defining how you want to use your patio will help guide your decisions regarding decor, setup, furniture choices, and features.
Identify the primary ways you want to use your patio, such as:
- Cooking, Dining, and Entertaining: Do you love cooking and hosting family dinners and BBQ nights outside? An outdoor kitchen will be important to work into your patio plans.
- Relaxing: Do you want a patio intended for lounging and relaxing? If reading, quiet morning coffee, or sunset drinks are on your mind, aim to create a cosy, calming atmosphere.
- Family-Focused Hangout: Want a family-friendly spot for relaxing together, playing games, and having fun outside? A patio can be a great area to enjoy more time in nature together. See family-friendly patio ideas here: 12 Family Friendly Backyard Ideas.
- Outdoor Gym: Add a weight rack, treadmill, kettlebells, and yoga mat for workouts in the fresh air.
- Gardening: A patio garden is a great way to eat fresh, homegrown produce.
Learn more about different ways to use a patio here: 7 Creative Multi-Purpose Patio Ideas.
2. Ensure Year-Round Use with Structure and Comfort
The right patio setup will ensure you can use it as much as possible. In Perth, the key considerations we need to plan for include shelter, comfort, and shade.
- Add Shelter and Shade: A shield from our intense sunlight is a must in the summer. This can be a covered patio, large umbrella, sail shade, or pergola.
- Shield Out the Elements: Along with shade, you may want to consider blocking out prying eyes, wind, or rain. Screens, outdoor curtains, or outdoor blinds can add additional privacy and protection from the elements.
- Create Zones: For larger patios, use furniture and rugs to ‘divide’ your patio into distinct areas based on use. For instance, use a rug, coffee table, and chairs to create a relaxing space. A counter, grill, and bar top serve as a cooking and entertaining area. These zones help patios feel larger and more functional.
- Invest in Quality Flooring: Consider investing in quality flooring to take your patio to the next level. Ceramic tiles can feel luxe while still holding up to the elements.
Find more patio inspiration here: 10 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Entertainment Haven.
3. Add Functional Features
Based on how you want to use your patio, add the functional (and fun!) features you need. For instance, if you plan to do a lot of outdoor cooking, a kitchen and bar area may be high on your list.
Patio additions and features to consider include:
- Install an Outdoor Kitchen or Bar: An outdoor kitchen is usually high on our clients’ list of patio must-haves. There’s no better way to enjoy a Perth afternoon than cooking some burgers in the shade of a patio. Consider adding a wood-fired pizza oven, grill, outdoor fridge, or bar cart. See our favourite outdoor kitchen ideas here: Our Top 8 Outdoor Kitchen and BBQ Ideas.
- Incorporate Technology: Weatherproof speakers, a wall-mounted outdoor TV, or Bluetooth speakers can elevate your outdoor entertainment space.
- Comfortable Seating: Comfy seating is key for a patio you’ll actually use. Opt for a mix of seating, such as modular outdoor sofas, ottomans, benches, bean bags, or even a hammock. For durability, we recommend weather-resistant materials such as synthetic wicker, teak, or aluminum.
- Add Water Features: Water features can be as small as a trickling fountain or a lovely in-ground pool. Either way, nothing soothes and calms like being near water. See our favourite poolside patio inspiration here: 5 Poolside Patio Ideas and Examples from Our Work.
4. Bring the Outdoors In with Decor and Ambiance
Our biggest suggestion for making the most of a patio is treating it like an extension of your home.
Treating a patio as another room of your home creates a space that you want to enjoy as much as possible.
Make your patio feel like a living area by incorporating design elements you’d find throughout your home.
Bring the outdoors in with these patio decorating tips:
Add Soft Textures
Our favourite way to make a patio feel like a living room is with soft textures and finishes. Add throw blankets, plush pillows, outdoor rugs, and other soft furnishings to create a truly inviting, comforting space.
Enhance with Lighting
Good lighting adds function and creates a cosy atmosphere. Choose a layered approach to lighting to create an inviting space that is usable in the early mornings or after dark.
Add charm and ambiance to your patio with:
- String lights
- LED strips
- Lanterns
- Solar-powered lighting
- Battery-operated candles
Add a Focal Point
Adding a strong feature can anchor a space, add character, and create clear intention.
These features make a great focal point for a patio:
- Water features, such as a small fountain or bird bath
- Tabletop fire bowl or fire pit
- Large statement pot with a striking, colourful plant
- Large mirror or art piece
- Coffee table
Add Greenery
Soften hardscapes and make your patio feel like an oasis by adding plants, flowers, and greenery. Use a mix of potted plants, vertical gardens, and hanging baskets to add beauty and lushness. Be sure to include varying heights, such as taller shrubs and low herbs, to create visual interest.
We prefer using native plants as they are easier to maintain and require less water.
For a natural privacy wall, opt for pots planted with tall shrubs or bamboo and place them strategically.
Get inspired with more patio landscaping tips here: 10 Simple Yet Stunning Patio Landscaping Ideas.
5. Maximise Small Patios
Choose Multi-Purpose Furniture
The right furniture will make your small patio usable and functional without feeling cramped. Opt for foldable tables, trays, and chairs that can be stacked away when not in use.
Utilise furniture with hidden storage, such as benches or ottomans with built-in storage. Choose multi-purpose furniture that can adapt to a variety of uses, such as:
- A rolling bar cart that can serve as a drink tray, coffee table, or side table
- A coffee table that also acts as a footrest
- Modular outdoor sofas that can easily be re-configured depending on your seating needs
- Built-in wall seating or benches that provide convenient sitting areas without taking up too much floor space.
Use Mirrors Strategically
Bounce light and trick the mind into thinking a patio space is bigger than it is by hanging mirrors. Reflecting light will create a more spacious, airy feel to smaller patios and create the illusion of a more expansive space
Stick with Lighter Colours
Lighter coloured decor and accents can help a smaller patio feel more airy and spacious. Cream, beige, light grey, and natural tones all make timeless, fresh colour choices for a Perth patio.
Switch Up Functions
With a small patio, get creative with ideas on how to use it. There are many fun ways to easily change a patio’s function, making it versatile, family-friendly, and great for entertaining.
Some easy options include:
- Outdoor Game Area: Keep outdoor games on hand that can be stored away when not in use. Some of our favourites include hanging dart boards, card games, and yard dice.
- Outdoor Movie Lounge: Use bean bags, a projector, Bluetooth speakers, blankets, and you have a portable outdoor movie theatre setup.
Go Vertical
Drawing the eye upwards can create the illusion of more space. Utilising vertical space rather than floor space also frees up more usable patio space.
Make the most of a small patio with these vertical options:
- Wall-mounted shelves to display decor or for extra storage
- Wall-mounted planters
- Vertical gardens
- Artwork
For more ideas on making the most of a small patio, see our guide here:
10 Clever Tips to Make the Most of a Small Patio – Aussie Patio Designs
Design Your Dream Perth Patio
Bringing the outdoors in and defining a primary purpose are key ways to make the most of a patio.
By creating a functional, stylish, comfortable extension of your home, you can turn your patio into your favourite spot.
Need some help turning your backyard into your dream space? Contact our team and let’s see what we can plan together. We’ve been transforming Perth backyards for decades and would love to see how we can elevate yours.
