Possessing an excellent patio is a lifetime achievement. It’s one of the last relaxation vestiges of the modern home. The living room is no longer for relaxation, it’s for entertainment or eating. It’s a shame to say, but the patio is a dying breed in itself. More and more people don’t use their gardens and see no need to. That’s why a great patio is something to behold because it’s rare. It should have its own little drumroll. That is the lead up to the patio. This area it’s the crossing over the zone, whereby you move from the inside to the outside. Inherently, it’s a little misunderstood because it doesn’t seem that important. But you should know, when you’re heading out onto the patio and not be surprised by it.

Watch your step

Modern patios are becoming flatter, meaning if you were blindfolded, you couldn’t tell whether you were walking outside or inside. They utilise the same tiles or flooring design, which makes it easier to blend into the home. However, you should know when you’re about to cross over. Therefore ceiling lights shining down on the border, patio doors, windows, and floor, should be present. Dropdown pendant lights would be a visual confirmation during the daytime. At night, these will light up the zone, allowing those stepping outside from the inside to watch their step, in case there are puddles of rainwater right outside the doors. If your home is bathed in white lighting, the patio lights should be amber. This way, when you have all the lights on, you can tell that this is an exit or escape onto another part of the home.

A ceiling introduction

Going out onto the patio is not like going outside onto the front porch. The patio is a specific area, where you can relax and enjoy your garden. It’s a little piece of the outdoors that you own. Therefore, you should know that you’re about to enter the outdoors where you’re exposed to the weather and sky. Speak with Residential Architects that have designed and built ceiling windows right before the entrance to the patio. They use design software to show you what type of style and design they will create, before anyone with a hard hat steps into your home. If you had the curtains or blinds drawn along the patio, you wouldn’t know if it was okay to go outside to sit down after an evening meal, unless you drew them back. However, with a ceiling window, you can look straight up to see if it’s raining or if the stars are out. 

Entering a greener world

Beside your patio doors, you should have a little glimpse of what awaits those who open the doors. Plants standing either side like guards would be a smaller but very stylish symbol of entering into a greener world. No one will mistake what lies beyond the doors when you have tall plants surrounding your patio entrance.

The lead onto the patio is often dull, no man’s land. This is wasted space which is crying out to be used in a more stylish manner. Use it to introduce and tease those going onto the patio.