Achieving a Patio That Mirrors the Home in Waunakee, WI

Having the creature comforts of home and a landscape design that works with the surroundings will encourage more use of an outdoor space, and make the most of the investment in your landscape. Here are design tips for achieving a patio that mirrors the home in Waunakee, WI.

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Take Design Cues from the Home

Begin by looking at the home—not just the architectural style but its height, size, finishes, and its presence in the landscape. The patio serves as a transition from the home to the natural surroundings; it is an extension of your indoor living space that just happens to be under the open sky.

Your landscape contractor can help you in this regard, and will consider both vertical and horizontal elements in the creation a welcoming space. The patio and its features can be scaled to the home, to mirror its shape and size on a smaller scale. A very tall and imposing outdoor fireplace, for example, may look out of place beside a ranch-style home.

Paver Materials

With so many choices available in natural stone or concrete pavers, it can seem like an overwhelming process to settle on a style that will work for a new patio. 

Start with color and narrow your choices to a few pavers that offer the colors you like. Then, look at textures, sizes, and finishes. What do you want underfoot? What do you want to look at every day? These choices will influence the feel of the space whether it’s relaxed and casual, or sleek and sophisticated. Try to see paver samples in real situations and in all weather conditions.

Most likely, you want to avoid trying to match the home’s exterior materials exactly on your patio. You can tie the patio and home together using accents and borders, but you are more likely going to achieve a more pleasing look by opting for complementary materials rather than matching materials. 

A Place for Everyone

Dividing your outdoor space into “rooms” works the same outdoors as indoors. For example, adding multiple seating areas to your outdoor space would give people options such as a quiet space to read a book while others are enjoying conversation. 

Comfort

A comfortable space encourages use. Create comfort by choosing plush outdoor furniture, having a pergola or pavilion installed to provide protection from the elements, and requesting a fire feature that extends your outdoor season into the cooler months. 

Pergolas complement any architectural style and add a touch of sophistication. Whether traditional, rustic, or modern, they create an outdoor space that’s a visual extension of the home.

Fire tables make dining an exciting experience, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits encourage gatherings, and decorative fire features add drama and interest. Fire features are a design opportunity to pick up on the home’s colors or materials, either as the main element or as accents.

Outdoor Kitchens

One of life’s great joys is sharing alfresco meals with friends and family. You may not need an extravagant outdoor kitchen; focus on the appliances and features that will enhance the experience for you, whether it’s a simple grill or you anticipate regular use of specialty features like smokers or pizza ovens. The walls of the outdoor kitchen can be designed to complement the home while making it feel connected to the patio area.  

Privacy

A privacy fence or wall helps give your patio the same sense of seclusion you feel at home. Teak slat walls, trellises with climbing vines, living walls, fences, or masonry walls can make your outdoor space feel like a retreat and not a fishbowl.

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