Welcome back and here’s to another week! August is flying by and it finally feels like we are out of the draining dog days of summer heat that we’ve had the last two weeks (hopefully). With more bearable weather on the horizon, I thought it be fitting to to dive into a project that has been a labor of love and is still ongoing at my house: the back patio. After four years living in my townhouse, this space has seen the greatest amount of change as I have worked to transform my small back patio into an inviting outdoor escape.
The driving force behind my small back patio transformation really starts with my first apartment, where I had this beautiful, fully covered balcony that overlooked greenery. Unless it was outrageously hot or pouring outside, I used this balcony very frequently as it allowed me to be outside and get some fresh air from the comfort of my own outdoor space. That was something I really didn’t get when I moved into the townhouse. I love my townhouse, but one thing I enjoying is entertaining friends and family, so creating an inviting outdoor space was essential to that goal.
What’s Not Working
The lack of privacy has been the main issue with my outdoor space since I moved in. My backyard backs up to an alleyway, creating a fishbowl feel when sitting outside. While I appreciate knowing my neighbors and engaging in conversations with them, I also crave outdoor space that feels a bit secluded. Additionally, the patio is uncovered and absorbs the warmth of direct sunlight from early morning until approximately 2pm. Although the warmth is well received in cooler months, it is almost unbearable to sit out on the patio during the summer. After living with the space for a few years, it took quite a bit of planning and thought to determine what would work best to alleviate those issues.
The Vision for an Inviting Outdoor Escape
What started off as a blank canvas has now transformed into an inviting gathering point and further extension of my home. I envisioned the space to serve as additional entertainment space as well as comfortable spot to eat meals, work, or read outdoors. With this vision in mind, I believe I have created a space that meets all these qualities and adds value to my townhome.
To kickstart this project, I needed to expand the patio to allow for more space planning flexibility. A huge thanks to my dad and a friend’s dad for bringing my vision to life as they helped be level and expand the patio. This 8-foot expansion made a world of a difference as the patio no longer felt tight and cramped, allowing it to become much easier to use and style.
Once expanded, I focused on the elements that created privacy and added to the overall curb appeal of the outdoor space. I always loved the idea of surrounding the patio with some sort of hedge that would enclose the space from the rest of the yard, and these Easy-Beezy Knockout Roses did just that. Both fragrant and colorful, these knockout roses will create a bit more privacy than I previously had and perform wonderfully for a yard that receives so much sunlight.
Lastly, I needed the right furniture and other pieces that would lean into the inviting outdoor escape I had envisioned. In order to craft the perfect space, I selected this conversation set from Lowe’s that tied into the interior style of my home as well as provided functionality. Pairing this set with an oversized cantilever umbrella offered ample shade, allowing for greater comfort and longer amounts of time spent outdoors. This space wouldn’t be complete without a grill to enjoy during the warmer weather seasons.
It’s Still a Work in Progress
Believe me when I say, this outdoor space is nowhere near complete. With areas for grilling and conversing, it is only fitting that I add a dining table. The right set would allow me and a couple of friends to gather outside, share a meal, drink a nice glass of wine, and enjoy each other’s company. Beyond furniture, I want to finalize the overall curb appeal as I believe spaces are used more frequently when they are designed and look how we envision it.
This project has taught me that achieving your vision is always possible if you’re willing to give your ideas enough thought. My patio didn’t come together overnight and took more than impulsive decisions to make it the space it is today. There is still work to be done, but I’m excited to see how it evolves over the next few years.
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