Northern Virginia homes are gorgeous! They have beautiful architectural designs ranging from Victorian and Colonial to craftsman and rancher. On top of it, most properties have grand yards with different grades of slopes and greenery, so it’s natural for homeowners to want to enjoy the scenery. Here are some patio design ideas to have your patios match the elegance of your home and yard!
Facelift 1: Keep the existing design but just update the paver stones.
Updating the color and type of pavers can really redefine your patio space. Years of moisture and exposure to the elements can wear on the finish and color of a stone. Also, you may be dealing with moss and difficult to remove algae in our high-humidity environment. Both can be very unsightly and dangerous as they can create slippery surfaces.
Facelift 2: Redefine Outdoor Living Spaces
A patio can be a multi-purpose entertaining space. Many homeowners choose to have a designated area for an outdoor kitchen complete with a dining area, and others choose to create focal points with outdoor fireplaces or fire pits. Retaining walls are a great option to accompany the look of either the fireplace or fire pit because they provide a place to sit and enjoy the warmth in the cooler evenings.
Facelift 3: Consider Paver Cutout Designs
If you frequently browse outdoor living ideas online, you’ll often find that pavers can be a different color and type for defined areas and beautiful focal points. Think of it this way: you can use paver designs like a semi-permanent Persian rug with intricate design and definition. These are great for under any outdoor dining tables or right at the entrance way of a home. More often than not, Northern Virginia homeowners often choose to do a border outline in a different color and texture like the ones featured here.
Facelift 4: Installing Outdoor Lighting for Steps
One way to use your existing patio space but to add more drama and focus is to install outdoor lighting in prime areas such as stair steps and around any planters. In the pictured option from Techo Bloc, the fire pit and the outdoor kitchen space purposely have build-outs slightly off the ground for outdoor lighting to highlight their location and warn others of any potential stubbed toes.
Facelift 5: Use Pergolas and Trellises to Create Privacy
Sometimes the paver stones are set in just the right space, but you want to exercise shade or privacy control. Consider using a pergola or a garden trellis to allow natural light but offer some shade on sunny days. Both of these options also allow gardeners to use them for hanging small potted plants or nurturing climbing vine plants to add extra drama to the space.
Small patio updates can make a huge difference and allow you to feel like your patio matches your home elegance. We hope you were inspired by our outdoor living options!
If you live in Northern Virginia, feel free to contact Mark Shriner of Distinctive Deck Designs to apply any of the above updates your patio space. He has more than 20 years of patio construction experience and can implement any outdoor living ideas you have for your home. Use our online contact form or give us a call to schedule your FREE on-site consultation: 703.263.9634