Patio on a summer cottage: a neighborhood of romance and comfort

For several decades, the way of life familiar to Russians has been heavily influenced by traditions that came to us from abroad. Even a summer residence is a favorite place for active recreation for most of our compatriots, it has noticeably changed its appearance and purpose. And even more often among buildings with traditional beds you can find houses on the territory of which small islands stand out as a bright spot - modern oases, known in the world of landscape design as a "patio".

This term, derived from the Spanish word patio - “a house without a roof”, is usually called a patio hidden from prying eyes, fenced by the wall of the house, as well as hedges, screens and decorative grilles. The main element of the patio is an open paved area with a perfectly flat surface.

This building is most popular in countries with a mild climate. It is not without reason that the origins of the appearance of the classic patio should be sought in the days of Antiquity in the Mediterranean states. In the south of Europe, such open-air rooms were used for receiving guests and relaxing. It is noteworthy that the patios were equipped not only in private houses, but also next to administrative buildings, as well as at monasteries and churches. After several centuries, the fashion movement has moved to Latin America and the territory of the East. According to local customs, it is customary to design a patio in the form of an ordinary living room, in which attributes such as elegant wicker furniture, a comfortable table and many decorative plants should be placed. Residents of our country have learned about this area of ​​landscape design relatively recently, however, they have already fully appreciated its aesthetic appeal and comfort.

In the conditions of a peculiar Russian climate, it is difficult to achieve the classic version of the patio decoration, but this does not mean at all that you should completely abandon the opportunity to create a cozy corner at your dacha, which allows you to enjoy the pacification of suburban life.

First of all, the patio is part of the cottage plot at ground level, and sometimes even on a par with the foundation of the building, which is a functional space organized outside the house. Thanks to this element of landscape design, the territory of the building expands, and, consequently, the living space increases. In addition to a flat area intended for recreation and household needs, the patio, at the discretion of the owners, can be supplemented with elements such as:

• pool;
• artificial pond;
• fountain;
• flower bed or lawn;
• trees, ornamental shrubs;
• all kinds of plant collections;
• various decorative elements (pergolas, miniature sculptures, artificial waterfalls, amphorae and fruit vases).

The selection of a site for a living room in nature should begin with a clarification of its main purpose. Perhaps the need for a patio is due to the frequent reception of guests, the need to organize celebrations or friendly parties. Or just the time has come to arrange a cozy place for spending unforgettable romantic evenings in the circle of people closest to you. In the first case, you need a spacious area, allowing you to place a barbecue or barbecue for barbecue. To implement the second option, a small piece of land in the country house will be enough, where only everything you need will be located.

The size of the patio, in any case, will depend on the dimensions of the summer cottage itself.So, the owners of small country houses, the territory of which is limited by other buildings, will not be able to take a lot of space under the open area. And yet, when creating a patio, it should be remembered that a miniature corner for relaxing a small family can be placed on a piece of land 2-3 square meters in size. meters, and for inviting guests four or more people will require an area of ​​more than 4 square meters. meters.

Historically, the patio is a kind of continuation of the house, so it must be somehow connected with it. If this option is chosen, then the construction of the site in the open air will depend on the architectural features of the building. At the cottage, built in the shape of the letter "P", the patio can be designed in the space between its three walls. This is the classic look of the patio. In addition, the patio is often placed in front of the residential building - around the perimeter.

In recent years, many summer residents are increasingly using for such a construction the most picturesque corners of their personal plots, which are located at a considerable distance from the main buildings. Extremely spectacular, this place of rest will look next to an artificial pond, equipped on the territory of the cottage. Thanks to this design decision, the air near the patio will seem cooler even on the hottest day. In addition, the owners of the cottage, sitting in the yard, get the opportunity not only to gain strength after a hard working week, but also to enjoy the beautiful views that open from the site.

If the patio is adjacent to the main building, it is best to choose a square or rectangle shape for it. Straight lines go well with the outlines of the building and simplify the process of creating a blind area. And you can use a bolder idea and create a fancy multi-level patio that includes several types of ceilings. A platform with irregular outlines and intricate bends will look very original.

Depending on the purpose of the patio and the financial possibilities of the owners of the summer cottage when paving the floor, you can use the following materials:

1. Tiles of different types. A sufficiently durable coating that does not cause installation problems. Difficulties can arise only if the open area has a bizarre shape.
2. Tree. The coating of this material, due to its naturalness and environmental safety, is very much appreciated by the owners of suburban housing. However, it should be borne in mind that the wooden base will not last long.
3. Decorative stone and granite. Such floor coverings have an extremely attractive appearance. In addition, stone floors are unusually strong and durable.
4. Paving stones. This material will last a long time. Paving floors during soil deformation are able to adapt to the changes that have taken place and to take the desired shape. The cost of this type of coating is quite high.
5. Concrete plates. The appearance of objects made from this material is not attractive. But such sites are strong, durable and do not require significant costs.
6. Terrace board made of "liquid wood". This little-known material began to be used recently. Unlike natural wood, a terrace board does not require impregnation and painting, does not lose color and does not rot.

A combination of different materials will look especially impressive: pebble and tile, wood and natural stone.

Dressing the site in the open air can be considered the most pleasant moment of construction and suburban works. When choosing furniture, it is best to pay attention to patterns made from vines, wood, rattan, plastic or metal. Elegant wicker chairs, as well as stable wrought iron chairs, will perfectly combine with the texture of the flooring and other decorative design elements.You can, of course, install upholstered furniture, decorating it with bright pillows, but then you should think about protection from rain in advance.

A great addition to the patio are decorative plants planted around the perimeter of the paved area. Thanks to the hedge, the open-air living room will look very picturesque. And if you install openwork lattice walls on the patio territory and put up climbing plants (grapes, ivy, loach) on them, the site will be closed from bright sunlight, wind and curious looks. You can plant flowering plants in special containers or flower pots - this will give a special flavor to the whole composition. And cute lanterns, candles in beautiful candlesticks and graceful baskets with a set of pleasant little things needed for evening gatherings will make the patio even more comfortable and help create a romantic mood.

There are many ways how to refine a summer cottage - to make it not only cozy, but also attractive. Creating an original patio near the cottage will be an excellent solution to all these problems. As a result, you not only get a wonderful place to relax the whole family, but also stock up on positive emotions for a long rainy period.