An outdoor patio is a great home feature that encourages outdoor activities and entertainment with family and friends. For maximum enjoyment, an outdoor patio installation needs a great surrounding environment. Without other outdoor amenities, your patio could lack a lot of appeal. Here are nine outdoor features that will create a spectacular outdoor patio setting.
1. Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen is the perfect addition to any outdoor patio installation. It expands your entertaining space, gets you outdoors more with your family and increases your property value. With proper planning and design, an outdoor kitchen will add years of enjoyment to you northern NJ home.
If you like to entertain and cook, an outdoor kitchen is a home feature that you’ll enjoy using over and over again. Depending on your needs and budget, there are many great appliances and amenities available for outdoor kitchens.
The most important and most expensive appliance is usually the grill and there’s a wide variety of top quality grills on the market. You can choose from gas grills, electric grills, hybrid fire grills (cook using gas, charcoal and wood) and wood-fired grills (cook with wood, but often have gas starters for fast ignition). Optional appliances include cook tops and side burners; griddles, rotisseries, smokers, deep fryers, pizza ovens and warming drawers.
Refrigeration equipment includes energy-efficient features like advanced insulation, forced air cooling, variable-speed compressors and food-safe temperatures for outdoor food storage. In addition to state-of-the-art refrigerators, optional equipment includes freezers, beverage coolers, wine coolers, beer kegerators and ice makers.
Kitchen accessories include sinks, dishwashers, blenders, storage drawers and cabinets, cutting boards, trash bins, lighting and cooking utensils.
2. Outdoor Fireplace
An outdoor fireplace will enhance your outdoor patio with warmth, light and cozy ambiance. Depending on your backyard size and layout, you can include the fireplace in your outdoor patio installation or select a more remote location in the yard. Either way, an outdoor fireplace will become a main focal point in your backyard setting where guests will love to mingle.
Whatever location you choose, your fireplace should be easily accessible from the house and adjacent structures on the property. If you have a pool, spa or hot tub, the fireplace should be conveniently located for warmth and light. Family and guests will automatically gravitate to the warmth from the fireplace after an evening swim in the pool or dip in the spa or hot tub.
3. Outdoor Fire Pit
A fire pit can be easily installed anywhere in your back yard or included in your outdoor patio installation. It’s basically a hole in the ground with raised walls that surround the opening. There’s no chimney and no design restrictions. It can be wood-burning or natural gas. Most fire pits don’t require building permits, like outdoor fireplaces, so construction and installation is simple.
Outdoor fire pits are much smaller and lower to the ground than outdoor fireplaces. They can be built in any size that’s proportioned well to your patio and landscape. The design can be round, square, rectangular or oval, as long as the opening contains a fire safe liner. If you want to provide seating around your fire pit, make sure your fire pit is 18” to 24” high with a seating ledge. If you just want to prop up your feet, 12” to 14” high is fine.
4. Multi-level Patio
A multi-level outdoor patio installation will increase your useable outdoor space and add depth and dimension to your landscape. Build a multi-level patio adjacent to the house or locate it in a different section of the yard. Multiple levels provide additional space for entertaining and relaxing.
Use the main level for cooking and dining and the second level for quieter conversations. Create a second level that includes lounge furniture, comfortable benches or a cozy hammock where you’ll love to relax and enjoy your favorite book or take a peaceful snooze in your hammock.
5. Swimming Pool
If you don’t have a pool in your Bergen County landscape, consider installing one. It’s a backyard feature that your kids, family and friends will thoroughly enjoy for many years. A swimming pool provides great exercise and fun-filled activities for your family. It provides endless hours of entertainment for family events, parties and special occasions.
A swimming pool will create a backyard environment that offers versatile. You can enjoy a quiet family dinner on your patio and go for an evening swim after dinner or plan a pool party for your kids. A pool will enhance your outdoor patio installation, add ambiance to your landscape and increase your home’s property value. Although a swimming pool can be a costly backyard addition, the enjoyment you’ll get in return can offset the costs.
6. Spa or Hot Tub
Create a private, relaxing spot in your back yard with a spa or hot tub. It’s a great way to relax and unwind after a busy day at work or at home with the kids. It’s a backyard feature that your guests will also enjoy. Choose a quiet location that’s convenient to your home and patio. Surround the spa or hot tub with plants and landscape lighting to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Talk to your landscape contractor about the best location to install your spa or hot tub. Choose a spot that’s close to the house and outdoor patio installation.
7. Outdoor Waterfall
The soothing sight and sound of water quickly creates a tranquil, peaceful outdoor setting. It creates a relaxing environment and helps to mask unwanted noise. Select an appropriate area in the back yard and build a waterfall with rocks, stones or outdoor materials that compliment your home and landscape.
A terraced or tiered waterfall is a great design for a sloped hillside or uneven landscape. It’s also a great way to connect your outdoor patio installation with a second level patio or terrace. Ask your landscape contractor in Passaic County, NJ about the benefits and appeal of adding water features to your yard.
8. Beautiful Landscaping
A well-designed, well-maintained landscape enhances your home and property and increases your home’s curb appeal. Planting trees, shrubs and plants in various sizes is a great way to add depth and dimension to your outdoor living space. Foliage can enhance your patio design and anchor your outdoor patio installation with texture and color. It can create lovely borders for walkways or garden pathways and provide privacy for your back yard.
A lush, green landscape provides a comfortable, natural setting for outdoor entertaining by creating a tranquil atmosphere and beautiful backdrop for your home. For year-round color, select plants that will bloom at different times throughout the year. Your landscape contractor can help you choose plants that are properly proportioned in size and scale to your back yard and his landscape knowledge will ensure that plants will thrive in your existing landscape conditions.
9. Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting has a huge impact on the visual appeal of your landscape at night. It also provides added safety and security for your home. Proper outdoor lighting can make the difference between an ordinary outdoor patio installation and a spectacular one. Soft landscape lighting defines the details in your landscape and highlights architectural features on your home.
Install uplights and spots to accent landscape features and architectural details. Install spots and motion detectors to provide security and safety for your home and property. Install walkway or pathway lighting along walkway borders and garden pathways to provide a safe foot path. You can choose from a variety of low-voltage, LED and solar fixtures that come in beautiful colors and finishes to create a stunning back yard.