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"Great Patio decorating ideas from the experts!"

A patio will provide an effective and inviting extra living area to your home providing a great place to sit and relax, enjoy alfresco lunches or evening barbecues with friends and family.

Comfort and practicality should be at the forefront. Depending on the space available, try to provide two areas, a conversation area with a small table and comfortable chairs plus an informal dining area. Ensure that you have the ability to provide suitable shade.

Choosing a theme is important and once chosen everything you add should follow this theme. Creativity is at the heart of planning the way you wish to decorate your patio. Hedges, fencing and plants create seclusion and privacy. They also reduce unwanted sounds from elsewhere.

Plants are a great way to add color and contrast to your outdoor living space. To get the most out of your plants mix flowering plants with greenery, such as ivy or trailing plants. You can use hanging baskets to make an impact too. The difference plants can make is astonishing.

The sound of trickling water from a water feature is practically a must, enhancing the concept of relaxation. Think carefully about the type of furniture. Your patio should be visually attractive but the main point is that it is comfortable. Your outdoor furniture should have comfortable cushions that complement your design.

For the evenings lighting is important - do not overlook it. Soft lighting and the use of fragrant candles all enhance the experience. Colored solar lights can be effective. You can hang string lights around the top of your patio matching your chosen theme. This adds a special occasion feel to an ordinary dinner on the patio.

Having acquired the plants, furniture and lighting it is now time to think about accessories. Items like placemats, plates and glasses should also follow your base theme. For example if you have chosen a bistro style you would perhaps have round blue placemats and white plates.

Get a basket to put cloth napkins in, and some blue glass goblets and pitcher for serving water. Also think about morning coffee. Include some coffee mugs and a decorative plate for croissants maybe.

Having spent time and money on making your personal oasis, do not forget to invest in the appropriate waterproof covers to protect your furniture. It is all too easy to leave this for another day.

During periods of bad weather and over the winter your furniture will be damaged beyond repair. Most manufacturers offer a variety of designer covers that look attractive and provide full protection.

Lastly, invite some friends over to relax, enjoy and admire your achievement.

Jack Labens works for Empire Patio Covers, a leading provider of patio furniture covers such as patio chair covers and patio table covers, as well as many other accessories and covers. Empire Patio Covers can be found online at: EmpirePatioCovers.com or at their blog EmpirePatioCovers-Blog.com.

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