In the 80’s ZZ Top sang about having a Party on the Patio. Now, outdoor living space has become an extension of a home. While patio furniture used to be commonplace, the options now to spruce up your patio are just about endless. The latest and greatest seems to be the way of the housing industry. In my experience, home buyers are always looking for the next trend.  With new construction, where new trends often begin, outdoor amenities, like covered patios with a fireplace, are becoming common place. The following are some of the popular outdoor living space conveniences.

Fire Pit: These days you don’t have to go to the work of chopping wood to sit around a fire. You can simply visit your neighborhood hardware store and pick up a propane fire pit. Suddenly, your patio has been turned from a daytime eating area, to an evening gathering spot. The day doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down when you have a fire pit to transform your patio.

Lights: Stringing solar, LED or Edison Vintage outdoor lights across the patio, give just the right amount of light to add a splash of ambiance. Like stars that you can almost touch, cascading overhead, they are a mood enhancer.

Patio Furniture: There are multiple choices to go with patio furniture. Amazing padded chairs, a comfortable solution, can be found at Rich’s For the Home. Or maybe, visit Big Lots and pick up a decent priced wicker set. Whatever route you choose, adding furniture will provide you not only an entertainment area, but space to take an afternoon nap (personal experience).

Rug: Just like they say in The Big Lebowski, the rug really pulls the room together. While a rug seems to be an indoor option, adding some color under your feet, can be the final piece to the puzzle.  

Television: A feature that is starting to become more common place, is adding a television to your patio space. Adding a TV can totally transform your outside experience. No longer is there the need to go inside to watch Neflix or Hulu because you can cozy up on the patio and add hours to your relaxing outside enjoyment.

Kitchen: While certainly an exquisite feature, a full kitchen with sink, grill and granite counter-tops transforms your patio to a full-scale kitchen. They say the kitchen is the center of the home and now, by adding an outdoor kitchen, there are two centers to your home.

Whether going big or small, adding outdoor living space will enhance your house. Making your patio an extension of your home will not only add to the usefulness, but transform your overall home experience. Whether to relax or party, you won’t be singing the blues when you have a whole new space to enjoy.

Source: Coldwell Banker Bain Fence and Flowers