Here are 15 patio ideas to create the perfect place to relax.

As the days grow longer and the temperature creeps further up, you can see the change that takes place around you. Blooming flowers, the sounds of children at play outside, and the occasional smile you get from your usually grumpy neighbors.

Take a deep breath. Can you smell it? It's patio season.

Here are some patio ideas to spruce up your backyard or patio space in time for spring.

Extending the Indoors

Whether it's a porch, garden, patio, or backyard, think of the area as an extension of your indoor home. Bring design motifs from the inside of your home right to the outside. You can extend some of the same accent colors or patterns from the inside right out to your porch or patio.

Here are two ways to extend your indoors into your outdoor living space:

• Kitchens are a popular gathering area which makes extending it into your backyard a natural transition during the warmer months. Who doesn't love the refreshing air, delicious food, and one too many glasses of wine? Besides the grill, a good patio set, proper silverware, glassware, and cloth napkins give the feeling of a proper indoor meal but with the benefit of the outdoor sunshine. Don't forget a patio umbrella to protect yourself from those UV rays!
• Pick an accent element in your home and replicate it in your outdoor living space. Incorporate indoor decorations outside such as plants, candles, and throws and blankets for when the sun sets.

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Don't Ignore Lighting

Here's a small secret: Lighting plays a huge part on the overall look of any room, indoors and outdoors.

Don't underestimate the power attractive lighting has in transforming your outdoor living area. Use outdoor lanterns, stringed lights, solar lights, hanging outdoor light fixtures, or a patio umbrella with built-in LED lights.

Hang Up Outdoor Curtains

They're a great way to create some privacy, shade, and helps make your outdoor living space a natural extension of your home.

Keep It Warm (Literally)

A fire pit or a patio heater can single handily keep a party going (booze may help too). When the sun sets and the temperature begin to drop, these sources of heat can continue to make the space comfortable for you and your friends.

Patio heaters - You'll want to make sure that the patio heater you buy will be large enough to accommodate everyone. Another factor to consider is the type of fuel:

• Butane - generally holds a flame for up to 8 hours and is placed directly inside the heater.
• Propane - more common and is regulated by a valve that restricts its flow to prevent a dangerous flame.
• Oil - tends to leave residue and is generally messier to use than propane and butane. Will require regular maintenance.

Fire pits - Fire has this primal quality that seems to attract everyone. Nothing is better than exchanging stories around a fire while roasting up some smores. Fire pits can be a stylish addition in your backyard but can be expensive. Many people may prefer a built-in firepit, which will require a contractor to build.

Keep It Warm (Figuratively)

Just because you're outside doesn't mean you should skimp on making the area comfortable. You want to make the space inviting and one way you can do this is by adding a hammock or patio swing.

Another way is to do it with the decorations. Use bright and bold patterns and colors to give your patio some design 'oomph'. A great way to add some design flair (technical term: 'oomph') is to use a large outdoor rug. This helps anchor your patio set while also providing a comfortable feeling.

Stretch That Green Thumb

By covering your backyard in plants and flowers, you can easily create a serene place to hang out. Use large containers to plant a bunch of different flowers (the more colors the better!). Make sure you also plants trees and shrubs of varying height as this difference can make the backyard more visually appealing and interesting.

Seating

The size of your outdoor space will determine what type of seating will work best for you. Big spaces work well with large benches, loungers, and sectionals while a smaller space will work better with stylish wicker chairs and tables. Bright decorations such as pillows, blankets, and a rug will make small outdoor spaces appear larger (just make sure to keep it understated).

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The Birds The Word

Install a simple bird feeder and hang it on the tallest tree in your backyard. Soon it will attract a host of different birds. Trust us when we say that nothing is more relaxing than enjoying a cup of coffee or tea while watching different beautiful birds appreciate your extreme generosity (bird seeds ain't free!).

Clean the Deck

Power wash your deck to make it look brand new. The same goes for your fence. A new coat of paint or stain will refresh it and can make the biggest impact in the way your backyard looks. Trust us, it's worth the effort.

Avoid Clutter

The truth is, the more stuff you have in your backyard, the smaller it is going to feel. Avoid stuffing your backyard with bulky furniture and loads of potted plants. Instead, use built-in seating and prioritize clean lines. Go for a few large pots instead of many little ones and keep the styles of pots to a minimum - keep it simple and just use one or two different styles.

If you have a smaller backyard, tall trees with high roots are a better option than hedges or bushes since they take up less space but can still provide you shade and privacy.

Pergola

We're not going to lie - adding a pergola can be expensive if you hire a contractor to build it. But think about all the benefits:

1. Looks beautiful
2. Lends your space more privacy
3. Looks beautiful
4. Provides some shade
5. Helps define your backyard space
6. Looks beautiful

Convinced?

Create a Focal Point

Establishing a focal point in your backyard adds character and can take attention off a smaller space. You can use furniture, built-ins, a living wall, large plants, a water feature, or a sculpture to establish this focal point.

Avoid Clutter

The truth is, the more stuff you have in your backyard, the smaller it is going to feel. Avoid stuffing your backyard with bulky furniture and loads of potted plants. Instead, use built-in seating and prioritize clean lines. Go for a few large pots instead of many little ones and keep the styles of pots to a minimum - keep it simple and just use one or two different styles.

If you have a smaller backyard, tall trees with high roots are a better option than hedges or bushes since they take up less space but can still provide you shade and privacy.

Make It Cozy

Sometimes a large, open area can seem a little bland. Enclosing your backyard with tall trees, shrubs and vertical plantings closes up the space to create a cozy, intimate feeling. If you have nosey neighbors, privacy in your backyard can be achieved by attractive fencing, tall trees and shrubs, or a hedgerow.

Small backyard? Embrace it by enclosing your space! It's a very attractive option since you're able to create a more intimate setting which can be harder to do if you have a large backyard.

Keep It Easy To Maintain

Raise your hand if you love spending hours cleaning and maintaining your backyard. Yeah didn't think so. Here's how to keep your backyard low maintenance:

• Use planters instead of ground-cover soil. It keeps soil from getting everywhere.
• Use artificial turf. It gives you a luscious, green lawn without having to do any upkeep. This works the best if you have a smaller backyard.
• Choose plants that need less water to keep watering at a minimum during the summer months.
• Buy weather resistant patio furniture to keep upkeep at a minimal