What Does Your Outdoor Patio Say About You?

We love patios. That’s right. We said it. Patios are awesome. After all, what’s not to love about an outdoor space just waiting for your creative genius to transform it into a backyard oasis?

Patios are known for their versatility. They can be constructed from a variety of materials, including concrete, rock, brick and tile. They can come in all different sizes and shapes. The sky is the limit, and that’s just during construction! Once a patio has been built, the fun of decorating begins.

It takes only a few seconds of searching on the internet to realize that there are thousands of ideas and suggestions for how to decorate a patio. There are furniture choices to make, then the same for plenty of accessories like cushions, rugs, umbrellas and more.

Decorating a patio can be lots of fun. But did you know that your patio — and how you choose to decorate it — can tell people a lot about your personality? That’s right! With just a look, your neighbors can learn a lot about who you are and what kind of priorities you have. Your decor shows a lot about your tastes as well as your preferences for socializing or staying in.

So just what does your patio tell your neighbors about you?

The Social Butterfly Patio

Ah, the social butterfly patio. This one is easy to spot because it looks a lot like a living room. A social butterfly patio has couches with lots of cushions offering plenty of spots for curling up with a glass of wine and a group of friends. A social butterfly patio will boast a large table for hosting dinners, as well as a fire pit and maybe even a wine fridge for keeping those bottles cold. Oh, and don’t forget the cooking space. These patios are likely to have a fancy grill or even an outdoor kitchen to make regular entertaining a breeze.

Nearby, you’ll also find a stash of friendly group games, possibly including cornhole, croquet or bocce, and some smaller seating areas for pairs or small groups of people to socialize during a party. While the decor may vary from elegant to boho chic and everything in between, the general idea will be the same — furniture and decorations will all be tastefully arranged and designed to provide a beautiful, relaxing environment.

So what does this setup tell your neighbors? A social butterfly patio lets them know that you’re warm and welcoming. It tells them you enjoy opening your home up to family and friends and that you enjoy developing relationships with many different people. In other words, this patio tells them you’re going to be a fun neighbor who’s worth getting to know!

Creating a beautiful outdoor entertainment space is a great way to extend your home’s functionality and beauty. It offers an attractive yet casual option for entertaining that will draw people over to your house often — which is just what a social butterfly wants!

Decorating Tip: Have an idea of how you’ll use your space before you begin to decorate. Will you be hosting morning coffee for your book club? If so, perhaps you should forego the fire pit in favor of an extra couch or table to hold a tray of scones and coffee mugs. Planning to use the space to host your son’s football team after their Friday night game? Opt for sturdy fabrics on the furniture and more tables for guests to sit with plates of food. Most importantly of all, select extras that will enhance your time outside, such as a fire pit or hot tub.

The Calm, Private Patio

Not everyone wants to share their patio with groups of neighbors or friends. If you’re more of a quiet, private person, your patio will reflect it. A calm, private patio will have limited seating — if it has any seating at all. It won’t have much in the way of landscaping or decorations, and you won’t find a wine fridge nearby. There may be a simple grill for your own personal use, but it’s not going to be a fancy, trendy grill that’s positioned to encourage conversation and hold large amounts of food.

The sparse furniture you do have is more likely to be turned away from any views of the street and face toward the house itself rather than the yard. While no hard and fast rule says you can’t have a table on your patio, you’re not as likely to have space for eating outdoors — that’s probably an activity you’d rather do inside, where your neighbors won’t be staring at you while you eat.

The good news is that a private, simple patio doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy being friendly, and it’s not going to convince the neighbors that you’re anti-social. What it says about you is that you enjoy your time alone. It says you view your home, including your patio, as your private oasis designed for your own relaxation and rejuvenation.

If you’re more into the calm, private patio, be sure to make an effort to find other ways to get to know your neighbors. Chat over the fence when you’re outside mowing, or take a plate of cookies over during the holidays. That way, you’ll still show that you’re social, but your patio space will be set aside for you and your family to recharge.

Decorating Tip: Just because you don’t plan to host big parties on your patio doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to make your space warm and comfortable. After all, your patio is your own private oasis. Choose decor and colors that will help you relax after a long day at work. Select a few low-maintenance plants to place nearby for visual appeal. If you’re determined to have as much privacy as possible, consider building a pergola or installing an awning — these options will also provide shade during the day.

The Highly Organized, Meticulous Patio

A sure sign of a highly organized patio owner is their garden. Outdoor space with neat, tidy bushes and a selection of roses is the trademark of someone with a green thumb, but this isn’t just any random garden. A highly organized homeowner boasts an outdoor space with neat and tidy plants, providing lots of groundcover and organization to their backyard. There’s also likely to be ceramic planters filled with plants, and maybe even a potting shed nearby filled with all the tools of a home gardener’s trade.

Surrounding this patio, you’ll also be likely to have a variety of planters and decorations that you’ve either made or created from items you’ve upcycled. But make no mistake: It won’t look cluttered or junky. Each piece will be placed in just the right spot to create an organized, cohesive look among your plants and decor.

What does this setup tell your neighbors? That you’re the go-to authority on the block when it comes to questions about fertilizing grass or pruning azaleas. You’re a great resource when they have questions about coaxing roses to bloom or trimming low-hanging tree branches. Providing advice and even lending a hand is a great way to develop friendships with your neighbors. Plus, if you enjoy gardening, you’ll likely find it fun to pitch in and help others enjoy the same satisfaction you find from it.

Decorating Tip: Depending on the climate where you live, you can likely use your patio for several months out of the year. Consider planting a variety of flowers and plants that bloom at different times. By planting a range of plants that have different peak seasons, you’ll ensure that you always have something new and exciting to look at when you’re sitting on your patio with a morning cup of coffee or a glass of red wine after a long day at work. Just make sure you select plants that will hold up to your area’s climate as well as the sunlight available around your patio. But if you have a green thumb, you probably already knew that!

The Busy Family Patio

Last, but certainly not least, is the Busy Family Patio. This one is likely to be a combination of all the others listed above. It may have started out as the social butterfly patio, with lots of seating and space for entertaining, but it’s been a bit neglected by a family who hasn’t had the time or energy to entertain. This process has most likely turned it into a more private space with limited places for people to sit, some overgrowth in the bushes and plants that make it harder for neighbors to see in.

The increase in privacy also hides the family’s lack of time to weed and maintain their plants, which aren’t quite thriving, although they’re still alive. There may be a collection of shovels and yard equipment propped up nearby, signs of the family’s intentions to make improvements but lack of time to follow through. And, of course, the patio may have leaves and debris piled up nearby.

While this patio won’t make it into any magazines, we love this one because it’s true to life! Neighbors will most likely relate to it over all the others. Everyone is busy these days, and after all the work associated with keeping a home’s interior neat and clean, many people end up neglecting their outdoor space.

The good news is that this patio isn’t completely gone! After a couple of hours of cleanup, it can be ready to host a family gathering or group of your teenager’s closest friends for a marshmallow roast. While the seating may not be plush and coordinated, it’s plentiful and ready to help create fun memories that will last much longer than any patio furniture.

Decorating Tip: If you’re too busy to maintain an elaborate decorating scheme, keep it simple. Choose furniture and fabrics that hold up well to the elements so that they aren’t ruined in between uses. Opt for simple furnishings, and keep the decor simple. Forego the decorations and knickknacks that might grace the social butterfly patio. These items can get broken when they aren’t used regularly. Instead, select some comfortable chairs and a sturdy mid-sized table that will be just the right size for spur-of-the-moment family cookouts. If you want to decorate, keep some lanterns and candles on hand to set out at a moment’s notice. Fresh flowers are also a great way to decorate at the last minute.

The Doors for the Patio

The state of your patio says a lot about who you are and how you spend your time, but the great thing about it is that you can always change your patio personality. Want to become a social butterfly? Consider adding some comfy outdoor couches and a fire pit. Then, invite your neighbors over for s’mores. Tired of your friends calling to invite themselves over for an evening of cornhole and relaxing in your hot tub? Tone down the comfort level and turn the space into your own private sanctuary with individual chairs and more plants — then, spread the word that the hot tub is no longer in use.

When it comes to patio decor, the sky is the limit, but one aspect that many people overlook is the door leading from their house to the patio. Since your patio is an extension of your indoor living space, the best option for defining the two areas is to install a sliding glass door to open up the view and provide a more seamless transition between spaces. The door will also allow you to provide more connectivity between spaces — on nice days, you can open up the glass and simply slide a screen in place.

Modern sliding door handles can complete the look of any patio. When you’re choosing a new sliding glass door, you’ll also want to select a new door handle. Premium Hardware’s collection of door handles offers a wide range of options, from classic to contemporary. Regardless of your style, you’re sure to find one that will fit perfectly with your home’s decor.

Not only does a high-quality door handle give a subtle yet attractive finishing touch to any decor, but it also provides security to the home. When you’re choosing a new door handle, you’re also choosing a lock that will keep your home — and those you love — safe. That’s why it’s important to select a handle from a company dedicated to providing a high-quality product that combines functionality with attractive decor. After all, what’s the point of having a beautiful door if it doesn’t do its job to protect your family?

Located in Northern California, Premium Hardware offers locks and sliding door hardware for commercial and residential clients of all types. Our commitment to providing our clients with high-quality products ensures that our customers always walk away with a lock that’s both eye-catching and strong. Our goal is to provide safety and security for each home and office without compromising appearance.

To purchase a new door handle or for more information about our products, contact Premium Hardware today.