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Five top trends in patio design
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(ARA) - When does a trend become a tradition? With continued interest
in creating great outdoor living spaces, the trend for jazzing up the
backyard may just be on the verge of becoming a staple of the American
home, and as much a requirement as a great kitchen or welcoming bath.
And every summer it seems homeowners find new ways to create a "wow
effect" in their outdoor living spaces. The outdoor experts at
ConcreteNetwork.com point to five hot trends in patio
design to help elevate your backyard patio from a nice patch
of bricks to your favorite spot to entertain and relax this summer:
1. Make the backyard a destination
More people are foregoing costly summer vacations in favor of sinking
that travel money into creating a getaway spot in their own backyards.
Enterprising homeowners are using decorative concrete to create mini
theme parks with faux rock water features, sculpted pools with water
slides and garden bridges.
2. Cost-sensible, eco-conscious
Environmental awareness doesn't have to take a backseat to luxury,
homeowners are finding. Backyard oases must also emphasize
eco-consciousness, incorporating environmentally-friendly materials
like concrete, which is sustainable. But they also like the organic
look and feel that the material can impart. Concrete patios
can mimic the look of natural stone - even lava - without the
eco-impact associated with quarrying the real thing. Plus, concrete
costs considerably less than many natural stone products.
3. Furniture built to last and last
Anybody can go to the local home improvement store and pick up a patio
set. The truly trendy backyard designer turns to permanent backyard
furniture, custom-made to fit your yard's style. Custom concrete
furniture can take on any shape, from pool tables and benches to patio
tables and planters. It lasts a lifetime and never needs to be painted
or refinished.
4. Light my fire
When it comes to creating ambiance, few home improvements pack the
wallop of a fireplace. Outdoor hearths are growing in popularity as
homeowners continue to recreate all the appeal of their home's interior
outside in the backyard. Whether you choose gas or wood-burning, custom
designed or pre-cast, adding a fireplace to your outdoor landscape is
sure to light up its appeal.
5. Size - and shape - matter
We've all seen patio disasters - the sprawling slab that totally
dominates a tiny backyard, or the postage-stamp-sized patio that
appears lost in a sea of grass. Homeowners are no longer leaving patio
size to chance. Instead, they're putting a lot of thought and planning
into right-sizing their patio to create a living area that meets their
needs and fits the profile of their backyard. How the space will be
used and how much space you have to work with will be main factors in
sizing your concrete patio, according to Scott Cohen of
GreenSceneLandscape.com. You can also find a patio
size chart at
www.concretenetwork.com/patio/size.html.
Whatever your personal style, and whether you're aiming to improve your
home's resale value or enhance your enjoyment of your house, upgrading
your outdoors is an investment that makes sense. Visit
www.concretenetwork.com to learn more.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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