6 - THE MATERIALS
The design of an external environment implies some extra attention in terms of choice of materials, in fact they must resist more to the wear of time and atmospheric agents. As for the finishes of floors and walls, it ranges from treated wood to composite materials, up to raw concrete and resin. The most used furnishings and accessories are steel and plastic. If the choice falls on the finest and most aesthetically pleasing natural wood (rattan, wicker), it is advisable to place the furniture in a covered position sheltered from the elements in order to preserve its quality.
The most used type is that of teak, which has always been used in the nautical field thanks to its resistance to the action of atmospheric agents. You can choose it in the format of slats to cover floors, walkways and functional areas.
These are composite materials, which have spread because they are a valid alternative to natural wood. Generated by the fusion of natural fibers and thermoplastic polymers, they better resist wear and tear over time and require less maintenance.
It is a material that lends itself well to external flooring since with a minimum thickness it is possible to cover the surfaces without demolishing existing structures. In this way, moreover, the level of the internal and external floors remain unchanged, preserving the rooms in the home from the danger of rainwater coming from outside. Versatility, speed of installation and durability make this material one of the most used in outdoor environments. In addition to the continuous casting, it is possible to opt for decorative blocks, slabs and tiles, so as to satisfy various needs.
Some of the advantages of recycled rubber flooring can be found in the sustainability of the product, ease of installation and safety as they do not change in the event of sudden impacts. Furthermore, it has a long durability over time. It is optimal in areas adjacent to swimming pools.
If the patio is a continuum between the residence and the exterior, the furniture that will complete the project of the private patio must follow the style and typological choices made for the interiors. The most used materials for furniture and accessories are distinguished in natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
Among the first are:
It is an economic, light and woven natural fiber that is used for the manufacture of durable and resistant outdoor furniture. This material is biodegradable and in nature it is found in abundant quantities, therefore opting for rattan means choosing with a careful eye on environmental sustainability. The original color is beige but on the market there are many shades that can adapt to any environment.
Originated from the intertwining of the willow branches, it guarantees resistance and at the same time lightness. Also in this case the product is versatile and available on the market in various colors.
All types of plastic materials can be listed among synthetic fibers. The advantages are many: they are resistant to atmospheric agents, they are light and require very simple maintenance. Thanks to new technologies, moreover, they can provide an aesthetic result very close to the materials they reproduce: woven fabrics, wood and metals.
7 - THE STYLE
If the internal open space is to be functional, it is also good that it meets the client's aesthetic tastes. As mentioned before, in the case in which it is an "extension" of the house, it will be appropriate to follow the same stylistic choices of the internal environments. It ranges from a rustic style, with the use of materials such as terracotta, stone, wood and furnishings such as benches, rocking chairs and terracotta accessories. If you prefer the contemporary style, glass, aluminum, wood and furnishings with regular shapes and neutral colors will be perfect. What matters is to make the area welcoming and pleasant with the insertion of seats, tables and elements that recreate punctual shade.
If the final result does not meet expectations, the addition of an original detail will make the difference: for example, a hammock will create a corner of peace and well-being or the inclusion of a barbecue will allow you to organize pleasant barbecues in the company.
SMALL PATII - MEASURED CHOICES
In case you have a small patio, you can maximize its use and achieve a satisfactory result in terms of aesthetics and usability. It is necessary to enhance the spaces to the centimeter, by inserting small-sized furnishings and accessories that give personality to the environment. For example, if you want to recreate a convivial area, it will be preferable to opt for a bench rather than certainly more bulky chairs. If you want to enrich the patio with green inserts, a solution could be to insert hanging vases or shelves hanging on the wall instead of placing plants and flowers on the floor that would occupy precious space for the furniture. Last but not least, the advice in small spaces is to take care of every single detail without overloading the patio with decorative elements: a welcoming and personalized area will result.
How to make the patio an extra room in your home
If the rooms in the house do not meet our expectations, why not make the patio an extra room? The best solution is to merge the internal spaces with the external one. It is necessary to pay close attention to the technological choices, to those of the finishes and furnishings, in order to create areas that follow one another fluently and return the image of a harmonious whole. Furthermore, it is important to specify how the external space is connected to the residence in a more immediate way, if it is exploited and made functional to daily needs. In fact, if the patio has the only decorative function, it would be considered a sort of locus amoenus lacking in quality from a practical point of view. For this reason, since the internal courtyard often communicates directly with a specific home environment, it will be appropriate to establish a specific intended use, ensuring continuity with respect to the interior. For example, if the kitchen looks out onto the patio, the latter can become a pleasant area where you can have meals even in the less hot periods, thanks to the insertion of appropriate shelters and covers. If, on the other hand, it is the living room that enjoys the external view, the same can be extended in a relaxation area or solarium perfect for the sunniest days. It is much rarer instead, that the sleeping area overlooks the patio on the ground floor but if such a solution presents itself, the garden could act as a play area for children who could thus move freely from the bedroom to the green space equipped outdoors.
Having said that, it is important to make some small changes in the design choices, let's see which ones.
In order to obtain a harmonious whole between interior spaces and patios, it is essential to choose the same finishes and furnishings with a homogeneous style. The latter aspect will be more easily achievable if the court has even partial coverage that guarantees protection for furniture that is normally used inside the home. In fact, if the space does not have shielding elements, furnishings and accessories will have to resist the action of atmospheric agents. In this case, even if the offer of outdoor materials on the market is expanding, it will be much more difficult to faithfully follow the lines chosen for the interior.
As for the choice of colors, it is preferable to keep the same tones, trying to prefer light colors with the aim of reflecting the incident sunlight and expanding the space.
- REMODELING THE SPACE CONFORMATION
In order to ensure continuity between interior spaces and patios, it is of fundamental importance to choose the best dividing elements. These are the fixtures and the boundary walls which in the aforementioned perspective should be as permeable as possible to the outside. Among the most used alternatives, there are sliding or accordion windows thanks to which the two rooms become a single space that can be easily used when the modules are opened or folded on themselves. When choosing the frame, it is essential to take technical performance into consideration, opting for high-performance glass that guarantees good energy savings. In this way, with a simple movement it is possible to redefine the space by modulating it according to the needs of the moment.
- GUARANTEE SECURITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
If the respect for a unique style and the permeability of the screens between indoor and outdoor environments are fundamental in order to guarantee a certain spatial and functional continuity, it is equally important to guarantee the safety of those who live the house daily. For this reason, it is essential that there are no differences in level between the floor of the open area and that of the internal spaces and if they are present, it is necessary to remedy them with suitable solutions to put the floors at the same level. It is also essential to remove any type of encumbrance and obstacle in order to preserve individual safety.
© Archweb.it reserved reproduction - It is possible to share with a link to the page
