Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Designing A Patio

A patio can be a great addition to your home, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors in comfort. That said, designing a patio space can be both exciting and daunting. You probably know what type of patio you’re hoping to build, but you often forget to see the bigger picture. 

In this article, you’ll learn the top mistakes that could make your concept of outdoor entertaining challenging. 

1. Purchasing the wrong furniture

Furniture is a key element of any patio design. And choosing the wrong one is one of the biggest mistakes you’ll make in your patio project. 

In terms of patio furniture, the material is your most important consideration. Don’t be tempted to simply move an old futon or coffee table outside and call it a day. You need to invest in pieces of furniture that can withstand the outdoor weather. Materials that perform well outside include wicker, rattan, timber, plastic, wrought iron, and steel. 

In particular, timber outdoor furniture is a popular raw material for furniture thanks to its natural beauty. It also blends well in an outdoor environment. Make sure to opt for hardwoods that can resist weather damage and last for decades when treated properly. 

Metal materials, on the other hand, are a more contemporary option, offering a more complex design. Meanwhile, wicker is highly durable, low maintenance, and lightweight, which makes it suitable for boho or casual aesthetics.

You can use at least two materials, uniting them with a color scheme. Also, always opt for high-quality furniture, despite its price tag. You don’t want to buy cheap furniture that will only last you a season or two.

2. Poor furniture arrangement

As important as picking high-quality pieces of furniture, you also need to pay attention to how you arrange them. Think about creating conversation areas when arranging seats. 

The chairs should be close enough so people can have conversations without shouting, but also leaving enough space to move around. In general, chairs should always be gathered around a low table for food or drinks. Having multiple seating areas arranged is suitable if you want people to have separate conversations. 

Avoid lining up your furniture against the walls. This sort of ‘firing squad’ layout leaves you with a big bare spot in the middle of the space and makes conversations awkward. 

3. Skimping on lighting

Most homes have one overhead light for their outdoor space. And while this may be enough to let you see well outside, if you’re thinking of lounging on your patio after sunset, you’ll need to plan more about your outdoor lights. 

There are several options for outdoor lighting ranging from solar-powered lights that illuminate pathways to string lights draped on deck railings or patio ceilings. Just be careful not to add too much light, which makes the space so bright it looks like daytime. Consider striking a balance by adding warmer light whenever possible. 

When done properly, patio lighting can create a welcoming ambiance while making your outdoor space functional and safe at night. 

4. Forgetting about plants

It’s easy to forget to add greenery to your patio design. After all, it’s already outside. However, adding plants to your patio can make or break your overall design. Plants can break up the large expanse of patio paving, create zones, and provide a balance of intimacy and open space. 

You can use potted plants to spill onto the terrace, softening the area. Consider adding tall plants or small trees in planters in strategic areas to create shade from the mid-afternoon sun while distributing luxuriant foliage in your outdoor space. 

If you have a pergola, consider adding creeping plants such as Boston ivy or climbing hydrangea that turn your bare pergola into decorative greenery while adding some privacy. 

Also, consider adding sweet-smelling plants such as plumeria into the mix to create a pleasant experience when light evening winds kick up the scent. 

5. Not considering the sun

The sun’s direction on your patio can affect your overall outdoor enjoyment and comfort, especially in summer. So, always keep this in mind when planning furniture placement as well as key areas in your patio. You don’t want to sit with the harsh sunrays beaming on you all day or make this space non-functional for specific times of the day. 

If arranging furniture doesn’t work, add an awning, shade sail, pergola, patio umbrella, or gazebo to ensure you have proper shade. As previously mentioned, small trees and tall plants also make great sun protection while helping in creating a cooler environment. 

Takeaway

A bit of planning can go a long way to ease frustration and stress in designing your patio. It’s always a great idea to be informed of the most common patio-designing mistakes, so you don’t create more stress for yourself when getting your patio project rolling. This way, you can create a well-balanced space that’s comfortable, functional, and inviting in no time!

How To Store Water If You’re Short On Space

Water is an essential part of survival and one of the most important things you must have an adequate supply of. It is essential for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and toilet flushing. That’s why you can’t refute the truth that ‘you can’t do anything without water, but you can do everything with it.’

Water is part of the essentials that you should have in abundance. Therefore, it’s best to avoid a situation where you have no access to running or stored water. Whether you’re in a small apartment or house, you should be able to find some space for storing your water.

There are many ways to store water, and each method differs. Before deciding which method is best for you, you must know the pros and cons of each. Here are some ways to store water despite living in a small space.

1. Use an underground water tank

Consider installing an underground water tank if your water supply is limited and you have no room to store extra water inside your home. These containers sit below the ground’s surface and can hold thousands of litres of water. Despite it being out of sight, its underground location keeps it safe from harsh weather conditions and possible contamination.

If you’re worried about the underground storage tank having possible leaks, it’s best to be familiar with how to turn off the water supply in your home. Knowing how to turn off your water supply is also essential to avoid contaminating your home’s tap water.

2. Use a five-gallon bucket

When you’re short on space and need to store water, you can use this method because it takes up very little space. You can use a five-gallon bucket and fill it with water. Then, seal the bucket and store it in a cool, dry place until you need them. This method is excellent for storing water for long periods because it won’t grow bacteria as quickly as other methods. However, you must ensure that your bucket has an airtight seal before storing it.

3. Store it in plastic containers

Using plastic containers—specifically those marked as food-grade—is an excellent method if you’re short on space and don’t have any other storage vessels to store water. The main downside to this method is that the water stored in these containers must be used within a week as its food-grade quality doesn’t prevent microorganisms from growing.

4. Get a jug with a spout

A jug with a spout can be easily stored on your kitchen counter or the top of the fridge. There are transparent options for these jugs, which is a great way to keep track of how much water you have left. The spout makes it easy to pour the water into cups or another container should you need to relocate your stored water or consume it.

5. Store it in glass bottles

If you’ve got glass bottles in your home, you can use this to store water instead of purchasing other storage vessels. Unlike plastic, glass doesn’t hold odours or chemicals, which makes it safer. But like plastic, glass bottles aren’t usually airtight, so it’s best to use the water within a week. And, of course, glass bottles are heavy and breakable, so you’ve got to store them in a space that won’t make them vulnerable to getting shattered.

6. Buy bottled drinking water in bulk

Buying bottled drinking water in bulk is a good idea if you’re expecting a storm to hit your area, as your water supply may be affected. Most bottled drinking water is stored in single-use plastic (SUP) bottles, so once you’ve consumed all the water, you can quickly dispose of it. However, refilling these bottles is not advisable as the plastic can leach chemicals into the water.

7. Use the bathtub

This method is a great way to save space and store water: all you need is a bathtub. Just fill it up with water and let it sit in your bathroom until you need to use it. Since it will be stagnant water, you must only use this method if you plan to use the water right away. Stagnant water can lead to multiple health hazards if left there for long periods.

Conclusion

Water is essential, and we can’t live without it. It’s important to have a source of safe drinking water for you and your family in case of an emergency or natural disaster. This will help ensure you have enough water in your home to survive.

The specific water storage method you choose depends on your needs and space. Regardless of your choice, ensure that any containers used for storing water are clean and not contaminated before filling them up with water. Lastly, if you’re hesitant about whether your stored water is safe for drinking, you can make it potable by boiling it to kill bacteria.