What is a patio? Types, design ideas and photos at their summer cottage

What is a patio?

The term itself came to us from Spain, translated from Spanish "patio" - an open courtyard. Patio design involves framing with walls, trellises and other partitions. In ancient times, only wealthy Romans could afford a patio area in the open air, but today anyone can equip a patio in the country.

At its core, a patio at a summer cottage Is an outdoor living room. A great place to relax with the whole family, gather friends or just bask in the sun.

In the photo there is an open recreation area under pergola

What types are there?

The main distinguishing features of the patio on the site are in the embedded functionality, from here 4 options can be distinguished.

Dining room

The perfect way to move breakfast, lunch and dinner outdoors: you don't even need the bulky alcove or summer kitchen... The main components are a large table and comfortable chairs. Patio with barbecue can also be attributed to the dining room: why not cook right here, right?

It is most convenient to locate an outdoor dining area near the kitchen: ideally, if the kitchen has an exit to the courtyard and the patio in the country house is as close to it as possible.

Advice! Allocate a plot of at least 3.5 * 3.5 meters for the summer dining room.

Bistro

If the dining room is still something large and roomy, then the bistro is designed for 2-4 people and does not take up much space. It is essentially a small table with chairs for breakfast or coffee breaks for lunch.

Advice! This type of patio looks most harmonious in the French Provence style with white wrought-iron furniture surrounded by perennial flowers.

Pictured is the backyard dining room

Living room

In the summer, it is simply sacrilege to receive guests in the house, because it is much more pleasant to relax in the open air and enjoy a warm evening.

The living room assumes the presence of comfortable furniture - sofas, armchairs, sun loungers with pillows. To these is added a small coffee table for snacks or drinks. Extra points add an open fire to a campfire or fireplace.

Advice! The minimum dimensions for a living room in the garden are 5 * 5 meters.

Terrace

This is usually a patio with a pool or jacuzzi, sun loungers, a bar, or a table for drinks. Part of the site is covered from the sun and hidden in shadows, but the main place is left open, because it is mainly used for sunbathing.

If there is no reservoir and is not foreseen, choose for the terrace simply the most beautiful cozy open space with a picturesque view and free access to the sun.

Important! The patio terrace is usually the largest of these.

In the photo, a variant of an outdoor fireplace

How do you choose the best location?

Read also

20 ideas for storing things in the country

When choosing a place for a patio in your summer cottage, basically start from the existing layout of the site and free territory. Let's analyze the main options.

Behind the house

Ideally, there is a door in the back wall: then you can easily use your patio on the site: go in and out, take out snacks, go to the toilet or shower. In this case, the wall of the house will act as an additional support - a canopy is fixed on it, a sofa is supported, etc.

At the main entrance

This is especially convenient if the house is on a slope and offers a beautiful view. Such a recreation area will appeal to older people, because it will be much easier for them to get to it.

Important! The patio area must be protected from the road, so if a busy road passes from the front of the house, it is better to move the resting place to the patio.

In the backyard

A relaxation corner will be organized in any suitable, quiet area: perhaps you already have a pool or a convenient area lined with paving slabs - then it would be logical to make a patio in the country house exactly there.

Advice! Do not forget that the patio design looks original primarily due to the presence of partitions. Place in a suburban area near fence, or build decorative structures specifically to create the right atmosphere.

On the roof

There is practically no place in the yard, but you want to have a patio in the country? We offer to save space and equip the roof area. The main thing to do:

• equip a convenient entrance with a safe staircase;
• make fences so that no one and nothing falls from above.

Further design already depends on your preferences and flight of imagination.

How to equip competently?

Arrangement of the patio zone involves the presence of elements for relaxation, communication and eating. The main ones are:

• Read also

  

  7 ideas on how to equip a barn in the country (photo inside)
  dining area with table and chairs;
• a suitable variation of the hearth - fireplace, stove, barbecue, grill;
• protection from the scorching sun in the form of an umbrella or canopy;
• recreation area with sun loungers, sun loungers.

If space and budget permits, add a pool or jacuzzi to that.

To choose the right place and determine the size, answer yourself the following questions:

1. Decide on the functionality. From here, you can understand not only the set of furniture, but also the most suitable site. Do you need a dining table, hearth, sun umbrella?
2. Estimate the number of family members and guests. Do you like gatherings with friends, how big a company is required to fit on a summer cottage patio? It is important that people are not cramped.

After that, draw on paper your yard with important objects (house, pool, bathhouse, etc.) and try to fit everything you need in the designated area.

Important! Planning on paper does not require much time and effort, but it will help to avoid mistakes during construction.

A small or large patio requires one thing in common: a level area. The cover is laid out from a variety of materials, depending on the budget and style.

• Wooden patio - the most environmentally friendly, budget option, but at the same time the most short-lived. The tree rots from constant contact with water, is afraid of insects, is flammable - it must be treated with protective compounds, which complicates and increases the cost of the process.
• Decking - a better and more expensive option for wood paving. Garden parquet is made of solid wood or composite, all processing is carried out at the factory and is completely ready for installation.
• Paving slabs has variations to suit any budget. Cheap and less decorative concrete tiles, beautiful clinker paving stones (clinker bricks), durable natural stone. It is the tiles that most often make the blind area, because it is easy to install and maintain, it is not afraid of temperature and humidity changes, and it lasts for a long time.
• Concrete... Self-leveling floor is used infrequently, because cracks form on it over time. But if this does not scare you, then cement is a cheap and fast analogue of paving.

How to decorate beautifully?

Still, the patio is part of the landscape, so plants are considered its main decoration.

.If you are using grates as fences, run over them climbing plants... The second option for landscaping - hedge from tall bushes or dense trees (it is best to use conifers). The patio is decorated with flowers in flowerpots, vertical beds... Alpine slides or beautiful flower beds are arranged in front of the entrance.

The floral theme is also used in the decor:

• vases with cut bouquets on tables;
• beautiful wreaths;
• dryness.

In the photo, the decoration of the street with flowers in flowerpots

Another direction of decoration is light. With the right lighting, you can create a truly magical atmosphere. Use cute garlands on the living room patio or terrace, and pretty hanging lampshades and candles in the dining room. Illumination can also be outside: for example, outline the outline trackleading to the patio with solar-powered street lamps.

Examples of design in various styles

Since the very idea of ​​an open green area came from the Mediterranean coast, the main style originates from there. Mediterranean style patio characterized by the use of white shades, arches and flowerpots. It is best suited for an area with a pool; for a greater entourage, lay out the area with natural light stone and sand.

Substyle of Mediterranean is considered Greek - warm sandy shades prevail in it. They decorate the patio with ceramic vases and columns.

English direction - colder and more elegant, suitable for northern latitudes. Its main difference is the abundance of greenery, the furniture should literally drown in the foliage. Do not forget about the severity of the lines and the correct shapes (square, round).

Registration in japanese style minimalist, you need to place bonsai in pots, Buddhist figurines, fountains or ponds with aquatic plants.

A more modern variation on the industrial style of the interior. In the open air loft involves the use of metal, stone, black, pallets. The decor is made from coffee bags, water pipes, and other suitable attributes.

Important! For a loft, it is better to use non-flowering plants with dark green leaves.

In the photo, decoration in oriental style

Original ideas in landscape design

Ideas for patios in summer cottages will help to diversify the exterior of a private house and improve your home site:

• Swing... Adults and children love them! Place on the site itself or not far from it.
• Hammock... A great option for a patio terrace: you can relax with a book, admire nature, sleep during the day.

Looks also: How to hang a hammock in a country house without trees?

• Living watersbut. A waterfall or stream with running water will create the perfect backdrop for relaxation.
• Bonfire... The smell of smoke and the sound of crackling logs is as soothing as the sound of water.

Photo gallery

Perhaps we have sorted out the main nuances and now you know how to equip an unusual recreation area. See good examples of a patio located in the country in the photo in our gallery!