Take a Fresh Look at Your Patio Options With These 4 Landscaping Ideas in Wheaton, IL
Millions of people spent a lot more time in their outdoor living spaces than ever before during last year’s shelter-in-place orders. And many found that their patios didn’t quite live up to their potential. If you would like some inspiration, take a fresh look at your patio options with these 4 landscaping ideas in Wheaton, IL.
Create Zones
Have you ever tried enjoying a quiet afternoon reading a book outdoors yet felt that you were in the center of all the action? Creating separate zones will allow everyone to enjoy the space the way they want. In many cases this could simply mean expanding the patio to make one larger space; but you can also create a series of smaller interconnected patios that create a sense of intimacy in each one (while still being part of a whole), and allow for creative use of various materials. If your backyard is sloped, take advantage of the topography to create elevation changes based on activity: for example, a main patio next to the house, where the outdoor kitchen and dining area are located. Outward from this high-activity zone, there could be a step (or several) up or down to more private, quieter areas such as a lounge area or a fire pit space.
Add a Fire Feature
Nothing brings people together like a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, and it could well be the best investment in a landscaping element because it will make your patio cozy and comfortable virtually any time of the year. Without fire, your outdoor space will go unused for far too many months, so we recommend making space for wood-fired or a natural gas/propane fire feature: it will be a huge draw for family and friends, and a great reason to go outside and relax or entertain.
Fire provides a timeless and primal experience that has remained relatively unchanged by technology. Gorgeous stone masonry fire features can adorn your landscape in the form of a fire pit, fire table, or outdoor fireplace. A fire feature is an opportunity for creative expression, too: a focal point that can become a centerpiece of your backyard.
Add Soothing Water Features
Installing a fountain or a waterfall in your outdoor living space can create a variety of moods, from energized to tranquil. A traditional Roman fountain or a rugged waterfall will have dramatic effects on the landscape, dazzling your friends and family with the sight of rushing and splashing water. A sleek modern water wall can add a soothing experience with water trickling down clear glass or metal down to a catch basin of polished stone that can be arranged as you like to vary the soundscape.
Add Permeable Pavers
Replacing your patio surface with beautiful pavers will bring your landscape a fresh new look that is far superior in looks, upkeep, and durability to poured concrete patios or wood decks; and they offer a huge variety of color, texture, shape, and laying pattern options that let you express your creative side.
Consider switching to permeable pavers that allow water to seep into the ground, not only reducing slipping hazards but also creating a more attractive and functional driveway (especially if paired with a driveway heating system) and achieving a more harmonious balance with nature by helping return rainwater and snowmelt to the aquifer.
