Investing in a comfortable spot for outdoor entertaining naturally makes it easier and more enjoyable to host friends, family, and neighbors during the warm seasons. To make the most of every opportunity to enjoy your patio, it’s essential to appeal to different levels of comfort as a surefire way to encourage people to visit on a regular basis.
When it comes to outdoor entertaining, you can make one simple addition to your patio without sacrificing too much space while vastly expanding the number of seating choices — built-in patio seating.
Built-in patio seating adds functionality as well as style to an existing patio. Whether you prefer stone bench seating or a sunken seating area, it’s important to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. This goes a long way toward pulling off a successful backyard barbecue, evening cocktail hour, or outdoor party.
The most common way to make room for more guests without compromising comfort is to add a short, seat-height wall on one or more perimeters of a patio. With a seating wall in place, homeowners can choose to add cushions, plants, statues, and other accessories to create a welcoming atmosphere.
A sunken seating area may involve a bit more construction than a stone wall, but it can have a dramatic effect on a backyard space. Wooden decks, tiled patios, and even stone lounge areas are prime candidates for sunken seating areas. When you have guests step down into a seating area, the yard maintains an expansive feel, and backyard views remain unobstructed.
Building corner seating into an existing patio is another way to maximize seating without taking away a lot of entertaining space. Any unused corner of a patio may be suitable for a cozy conversation nook with built-in bench seating.
The right material for built-in patio seating depends on the existing patio, weather conditions, and homeowner’s preference. Although some materials are more durable, such as stone, others may be more affordable or more suited to a home’s existing aesthetic.
Wood bench seating is a popular choice for backyard entertaining. Woods like teak are particularly well-suited to outdoor seating because they hold up well when exposed to the elements. Built-in wood seating becomes more comfortable with the addition of removeable pillows and cushions. Wood seating may also be the best aesthetic match for deck seating. Both backless benches and benches with full backs can be comfortable and affordable options.
Patios may benefit from sturdy, built-in concrete seating, although some types of upholstered cushions or pillows are critical for comfort. Concrete blocks or custom poured concrete are also options for backyard seating. Keep in mind that although custom seating may come with a higher price tag, it can be better suited to a home’s specific design and look great for years to come.
Stone seating is a versatile and incredibly durable choice for built-in patio seating. Stone can suit either a modern or classic home aesthetic and can look like new for years or even decades.
Installing a simple low retaining wall is an easy way to add more seating to a backyard patio. Whether a homeowner chooses to go with a low wall or another built-in option, upgraded elements can take a yard from serviceable to a true outdoor oasis.
Patio seating made from stone, concrete, or even wood benefits greatly from additional cushioning. However, in inclement weather, those cushions can go from fresh and colorful to damp and moldy. Building storage space into a patio’s seating options allows you to keep cushions, pillows, and other outdoor items safe and dry by simply lifting a bench or sliding out a hidden drawer.
A backyard is a space for enjoying the outdoors and all it has to offer. Although a patio can serve as the perfect perch for surveying a lush backyard, it can also have its own natural elements to enjoy. Potted plants, dense greenery, and flower beds are all options for adding nature to a patio space. Landscape professionals can help you choose flowers and vegetation that will thrive in your climate and can even recommend a regular maintenance schedule.
The landscape design and maintenance experts at Gallivan Corporation can help you explore potential built-in patio seating projects for building the patio of your dreams. Whether you want to add more seating to your existing space or completely renovate your yard for outdoor entertainment, we can help. Speak with our team today to schedule your free consultation.