For those who like to soak in the outdoors, but also love to stay in the comfort of their own home, a beautiful patio is one of the best investments you can make. It’s a place for you to retreat for some alone time. It’s a place where you entertain friends and family. It’s a place for deep, late-night conversations.

A patio is whatever you want it to be.

And that’s why it’s important to make sure your patio is equipped to handle whatever needs may arise. Feel like your patio is lacking? Here are a few simple ways to make it more than a slab of concrete in the middle of your lawn.

Proper Landscaping

Let’s start with the outside and work our way in. It doesn’t matter how nice the patio itself looks. If the surrounding area isn’t taken care of, it’ll throw off the whole experience. A well-maintained landscape creates the atmosphere your patio exists in.

Add some flowers, shrubs, and/or rock gardens. Create a paver path into your yard. If your yard slopes to your patio, consider a retaining wall.

Light it Up

Evenings are a great time to be on your patio, but only if you can see what’s going on. Don’t simply rely on a light that’s mounted to the backside of your house. Some well-placed exterior lighting is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you use lamps placed in the ground, stringed lights above, or a combination, proper patio lighting is a must have.

Adequate Seating

There are two things to consider when it comes to patio seating: the number of seats you have and the comfortability of those seats. It’s always better to have a few extra chairs than not enough. And if you’re planning on spending long stretches on your patio, get something with a little cushion to it.

Bridge the Inside and the Outside

You’ve likely been to a restaurant or bar where a wall or two can open-up, connecting their patio space to the interior seating. When the temperature is right, it’s a beautiful experience. Why not bring that same experience to your home?

While sliding doors are often the popular choice for patio entries, folding glass doors provide greater flexibility, eliminating the barriers between your home and your patio.

Just make sure you have some bug repellent in place during those warm months.

Stamped Concrete

Every great patio needs a quality foundation. Your patio floor should be more than just a slab of plain concrete. If you really want something that stands out, considered stamped concrete. Flooring really doesn’t get more beautiful than this.

With stamped concrete, your patio can mimic just about any material you want, such as slate, marble, or brick, all for a surprisingly affordable price. It’s also easy to maintain.

For stamped concrete in Ohio, trust the experts at Select Flooring Systems. Not sure if you want to go with stamped concrete? Don’t worry, we offer a wide range of concrete services. We’d be more than happy to discuss your options with you.

From there, the decision is yours to make. Whatever style you chose, we’ll make sure you’re left with a beautiful patio floor that’s built to last.