The patio in the country is a great place to create a modern recreation area, which will emphasize the beauty of the site and will become a place for tea drinking and parties with friends. Read about what a patio is and how it is used in landscape design.

What is a patio, its use in landscape design

In architecture, a patio is designated as an open courtyard of a residential building, which is surrounded on all sides by a hedge, walls, gates, etc. It was first used in antiquity in the courtyards of Roman and Greek nobility.

Did you know? For a visual expansion of the territory, in landscaping, a technique called «Alice in Wonderland», which consists in planting on a plot of standard trees or dwarf plants.

Nowadays, the patio in the country house looks modern and comfortable. Thanks to the development of technology, this subject of architecture and landscape design has become available not only to residents of countries with a warm climate, but also to ordinary people in countries where weather conditions are not so loyal to spending time outdoors. A modern patio can be decorated not only as an open area, but also to make a hinged roof and even install a heater.A competently located and decorated area creates a sense of well-being, and can also visually increase or vice versa reduce the space near the house. If you equip the resting place with flower beds with juniper, then the owner of the house will receive not only an interesting design solution, but also cleanse the air of harmful bacteria, because this plant releases phytoncides into the air that can destroy them.

Arrangement options

To date, many owners of country houses have fundamentally changed their attitude to spending time on a summer cottage. More and more people are trying to equip the territory in such a way that it becomes more comfortable and attractive. Over the years, work in the garden has faded into the background, and the priority has become the opportunity to retire in nature, get a boost of energy and relax in the fresh air. For many gardeners, a modern patio has become a place to relax and receive guests. Now there are a lot of options for arranging the site near the apartment building.

Did you know? The location on the site of the reservoir or fountain, due to increased air humidity will improve the microclimate in the garden and allow the gardener to grow plants such as orchids and ferns.

Design may include:

• fountains, decorative ponds, pool;
• a platform for recreation or household needs;
• hedges from ornamental shrubs;
• green lawn;
• paving slabs;
• barbecue or fireplace.

This list can be continued on, because the arrangement of the patio also presupposes the presence of many decorative elements in the form of: pillows on chairs, birdcages, painted flower vases and other decorations, to the taste of the owner of the house.

With barbecue

A barbecue patio is a great option for those who like to relax in nature with friends. It can be arranged in the form of a gazebo, under which a barbecue or a special oven will be installed, which allows to fry vegetables and meat on a fire.Also, a barbecue is located under a canopy of vineyard or fabric that protects from rain. A table and benches or chairs for seating guests are built near the barbecue. Also on the territory you can plant flowers and ornamental shrubs.

Important! The location of the barbecue behind a high wall or hedge will prevent particles of dust and dirt carried by the wind from getting into the cooked food.

With swimming pool

A patio with a swimming pool allows you to arrange a beach party without leaving the gate of the house. Especially if the designer draws this recreation area in a marine style. To do this, have pots with palm trees near the pool, set up a beach umbrella and sun loungers, a bar counter. As decorative elements, a fishing net, lifebuoys or anchors are hung on the walls of the house.

With a hearth

To create an atmosphere of comfort and warmth, a patio with a fireplace is equipped in the courtyard. Such a landscape design allows you to have a tea party or just sit by the fire with friends and sing songs with a guitar. The hearth can be built of stones or just install an iron barrel, inside which kindle a flame. Huge ottomans, pillows and blankets for shelter will become additional decorations to such an architectural solution. Also, near the hearth there is a rocking chair or a small table in order to put a cup of coffee.

Street cinema

Street cinema - a way to enjoy your favorite movie in the fresh air, with friends. You can broadcast a movie in any way possible: through a TV monitor or using a projector. To do this, a plasma is attached to the wall of the house, which is connected to electricity and enjoy the movie. In order to watch a movie through a projector, it is also necessary to install a special canvas to reflect the broadcast.The main element in the patio with the cinema is of course the TV, but it is important to fill the yard with the necessary number of seats: armchairs, ottomans, hammocks, pillows, etc. The platform can also be equipped with a bar counter or a table with a high leg, which can serve drinks and snacks.

Under the roof

The patio under the roof has a lot of decoration options. Here you can place a hammock and pillows. Set a couple of chairs, a table for tea drinking and reading the morning press. Under the roof there are fireplaces and bar counters. For decorations, flowers and painted vases are used; in the summer, cages with singing birds are kept on such a patio.

DIY patio installation

You can buy a cottage already with a finished patio, but it is more interesting to build this area yourself. With a personal arrangement of the recreation area, a person can realize all his design decisions, as well as invest in his budget.

First you need to decide what style the patio will be:

1. Mediterranean - involves the abundance of sunlight on the site, finishing from materials such as: stone, wood, ceramics. The color scheme is from light yellow to dark brown.
2. Country - The ethnic style of old England and America, suggests the presence of massive beams or columns. Decor items can be antique or executed in warm, pastel colors.
3. Provence - romantic style that came from France. It is performed in bright colors, adding decorative elements made of ceramics. Plants are planted on the site: iris, poppy, field varieties of flowers.
4. English - a style where there is nothing superfluous, furniture, tiles, forged decorations should be made in dark brown, chocolate shades, the presence of gold elements is also allowed.
5. Art Deco - It is distinguished by its pretentiousness, the presence of a wide variety of geometric shapes and colors. In this style, almost no plant decor elements are used.
6. Italian - assumes the presence of massive furniture, forged parts, paintings depicting ancient times.

When installing a patio, it is not necessary to strictly follow one style.

But, the most important thing is to observe a phased action:

1. First you should choose a place for the site.
2. Then its preparation is carried out.
3. The choice of furniture.
4. After you need to install the lighting.
5. Next is the completion of the installation process - decoration.

Choosing a place and flooring

The patio is located inside the courtyard of a residential building.

Important! Sand and gravel are not suitable as flooring materials, because they make it difficult to clean the site and it is easy to carry them to the room on shoes. They are used as decoration for a stone garden or artificial pond.

The site for the recreation area should be paved with covering material, which may be:

• paving slabs;
• porcelain tile;
• concrete slab;
• clinker brick;
• a rock;
• wooden plank.

Most often, paving slabs or natural stones are used as flooring, because they are strong and durable. The recreation area, paved with a board, looks organic and comfortable. But, such material may begin to rot due to excess moisture. Therefore, when choosing it as a flooring, a deck board is purchased that is not afraid of getting wet and has a service life of at least 50 years.

Site Preparation

Preparation of the site under the patio is one of the most important stages in the arrangement of the recreation area.

To do this, you must:

1. Clear the selected area from the vegetation.
2. Remove a layer of earth with a depth of 15 cm around the entire perimeter of the selected place.
3. Level and compact the soil.
4. Next, lay a layer of sand or gravel, which will act as a drainage base.
5. Then, depending on the selected flooring material, a layer of cement or mortar is laid under the tile.
6. They lay the flooring, make borders along the perimeter of the site.

Furniture selection

Furniture for the recreation area is selected from moisture resistant materials. Such materials as cedar, rattan, plastic, vine are suitable for these purposes. Wooden furniture located on the street must be treated with antifungal agents. It should also be comfortable, supporting the overall concept of style.

Lighting

In the daytime, there is plenty of sunlight for the patio. But, with the arrival of the evening, this area should have a special atmosphere, which is achieved through lighting. There should be enough light in the recreation area. It is better to equip the patio with lights, with possible regulation of lighting from bright to more subdued.Lamps can be placed around the perimeter of the recreation area or integrated into the floor covering. The lighting in the fountain or artificial pond looks unusual.

Dressing

After the stages of preparation, selection of furniture and lighting are completed on the site, you can proceed to decorate the recreation area. This event is carried out depending on the personal preferences of the owner, his budget and patio style. Any landscape can be supplemented with green spaces that are planted in the form of hedges or alone, green lawns also look great.

On the site you can place a stone garden, an alpine slide fountain, an artificial stream, etc. The recreation area is decorated with all kinds of figurines, metal forging, pillows, flower vases. The patio is a great addition to the courtyard near the house.This area is used for the unity of man with nature and relaxation after a long working day, tea is arranged on it, barbecue and just home gatherings. It is easy to create a patio with your own hands, for this you just need your own imagination and materials for the arrangement.