Entertainment trends come and go. In our parents’ generation, formal dining was all the rage. Today, social activities are thankfully much more casual, and the host doesn’t have to spend the entire time working alone in the kitchen. Outdoor living areas, in particular, are ideal for modern entertaining. Thanks to smart devices and high-speed internet, you can now create outdoor spaces as warm and inviting as any indoor living space. We’ve assembled a set of nine backyard patio ideas to help design your outdoor entertaining hub!
1. Start With Layout-Friendly Backyard Patio Ideas
Knowing how to improve your outdoor living space means applying the same skills you used to decorate your home. Take a thorough look at your available space and divide it into distinct areas, such as a patio for dining, a fire pit for roasting s’mores, or a designated game space. Sectional seating and an outdoor rug create a cozy spot for conversation and coffee, while portable sunshades offer flexibility when the temperatures rise.
As for building your own space, backyard patio ideas are virtually endless. You can create your outdoor space using a variety of materials, including wood, brick, concrete, tile, or paving stones. If you’re on a budget, gravel can give you a stylish area without breaking the bank.
2. Use Greenery to Anchor and Enhance the Space
Greenery is a natural way to enhance your natural space. Shade trees are ideal locations for conversation or reading spaces. Use raised beds and container gardens to define your outdoor spaces, and consider adding a water feature to your patio. The gentle sounds of water trickling or pouring really add to your outdoor vibe.
Vertical gardens maximize your growing space and can be positioned to add privacy or shade. If you have an outdoor kitchen, herb gardens are a must. Don’t forget to add some aromatic flowers to engage the senses. Peonies, lavender, gardenias, honeysuckle, and roses are just some ways to fill your outdoor space with beautiful scents.
3. Add All-Weather Lighting for Ambience
Lighting has always been an essential part of any outdoor entertaining space, and you’ve never had more options. Solar lanterns and path lights make it possible to quickly light patios and yards without the need to wire them to your home’s electrical grid. Many such lights include built-in timers and color options.
LED lights install easily on covered patio rafters, can be wrapped around tree trunks for added light, and are plugged in through smart timers for ease of use. Outdoor LED smart bulbs offer energy efficiency, can be controlled through smart hubs or phone apps, and offer 50,000 hours of consistent lighting.
4. Incorporate a Bluetooth Speaker System or Smart Outdoor Sound
So far, we’ve covered how to enhance your outdoor living space visually while providing an olfactory treat for your senses. What’s left? Sound, of course. You have several options for adding music to your outdoor space, including:
- Smart lights with built-in speakers
- Waterproof Bluetooth speakers (portable and mountable)
- Smart tech like Amazon’s Echo Dot
- Wired outdoor speakers
If you’re streaming music through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speakers, remember you’ll need a strong internet connection for uninterrupted playback. This segues nicely into the next consideration….
5. Upgrade Wi-Fi to Reach the Yard
If you want reliable Wi-Fi in your yard, you may need to upgrade your internet service for faster, more reliable speeds, especially if you’re already running a bandwidth-heavy smart home. Run a Wi-Fi speed test to determine if your internet connection can support the wireless demands of your outdoor space.
If your outdoor living space is some distance from your router, it may fall out of the router’s range. Weatherproof outdoor mesh nodes or Wi-Fi extenders can extend your Wi-Fi coverage to where you need it, allowing you to connect multiple devices.
6. Invest in a Weather-Resistant Outdoor Bar or Food Station
Prepping food in the kitchen, transporting it to the patio for BBQ, and then taking all the dishes back inside for washing up all eat into the time you could be socializing. A weather-resistant food station with a sink and prep area allows you to spend more time outside. Made from stainless steel, resin wicker, or treated wood, food stations and outdoor bars can range from as simple as a rolling cart to as complex as a built-in outdoor kitchen.
Source: Alhim/Shutterstock.com
7. Bring the Indoors Out With Decor and Textures
Soften your outdoor living space with weather-resistant, outdoor-rated pillows and throws. Full-size daybeds are a popular backyard patio idea, especially when filled with oversized pillows and soft blankets, creating a cozy lounge area. Try applying layered textures and color palettes that complement your indoor rooms to blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.
8. Integrate Fire Features or Portable Heat Sources
Outdoor spaces are used the most during the summer. In many areas of the country, the switch to cooler temperatures come fall limits people’s enjoyment of their patios and other outdoor areas. Fire pits and tabletop fire bowls provide warmth and allow you to entertain outdoors as the seasons change. Outdoor heaters may lack visual appeal, but they excel at keeping outdoor spaces warm and cozy.
9. Smart Lighting and Automation Tools for Seamless Hosting
Smart devices allow you to automate many aspects of entertaining. You can schedule lighting scenes to turn on at appropriate moments, use motion sensors to activate mood lights, or set music schedules to change playlists as the day progresses. Keep in mind that smart devices function optimally with a stable and reliable home internet connection. If you’re serious about automating your living spaces, fiber optic internet is a must.
Source: Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com
Build a Space That Welcomes Connection
A welcoming outdoor space blends comfort with natural features, ambiance, and innovative tech to create a vibe that’s uniquely you. Start with one or two small changes, like a new fire pit or some smart lights, and build from there. Combine simple backyard patio ideas gradually until you have an area where you can create memorable gatherings and strong connections, both digital and social.
