Tips on Using Color in Patio Landscaping
As suburban gardens become smaller , outdoor areas have evolved into more of an extension to the interior living spaces. Consequently a lot more thought needs to be given to decorating the available space so that it becomes a totally integrated area. And in this context, color selection plays a very important role as it influences our moods and changes the feeling of the space in which we spend time . So let’s take a look at how to work with colors when redecoration or remodelling
If you already have a dominant architectural or color theme indoors that brings you pleasure , try to extend this to the outdoor area so it becomes a natural extension of the indoor living area by udeveloping the same theme with cushions, pots , furniture or other decorative features.
If you have a natural wood interior floor next to the outdoor patio or courtyard, you could extend the natural wood look to the exterior space by building a wood deck using a similar colour wood species. Alternatively if you have only an existing concrete patio, one simple way to resurface the area without ripping up the concrete is to use interlocking wood deck tiles. These tiles simply snap in place over the existing concrete or wood surface and lock securely into place with inbuilt connecting tabs. Tiles are available in a number of wood species so you should be able to find a wood species that looks similar to your existing flooring. And if you have porcelain or stone tiles indoors, you can also get interlocking tiles in slate, granite and porcelain. One particularly useful feature of these tiles is that they can be installed by almost anyone, even without any handyman experience , typically in just an hour or so for a normal size patio or deck.
On walls or fences, experiment with neutral colours, then change your decorative accessories and any plantings creating a different look for each season until you’ve found what works best and gives the most satisfying result.
In addition to colour, don’t overlook using textures since contrasting textures also play an important role in developing a pleasing landscape design. You could for example bring changes of texture with different tables, chairs, pots, wall hangings, cushions, paving, plants – in fact almost any decorative accessories. Don’t forget also that plant foliage in particular offers a multitude of textures and interesting shapes. But make sure to choose plants with a theme in mind: are you creating a tropical “jungle” , a place to sit in the sun and dream of holidays in Italy , or a stark modernist approach with grasses and cacti ? But before rushing out and spending a fortune at the nursery , remember that each plant has specific requirements in terms of soil, sun, humidity, temperature and rainfall. If you can’t provide the correct requirements , your plants simply won’t flourish . Consider how each plant will look in each season, especially the main season when you want to be using your exterior spaces the most.
But remember, too much of anything, whether it’s patterns, textures or colours, can be confusing . Too much variety in small spaces can look excessively “busy”. And with plants, large groupings of just one or two species will usually create a much greater impact and look more balanced in a small area than a large number of different plants with a riot of different colored flowers.