Small Desert Patio Ideas
Landscaping and furnishing patios with small desert patio ideas is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the dry and hot southwestern climates. Temperatures in the southwest range from warm to hot days and cool evenings. Plan your patio ideas to take advantage of heat loving plants, decorative shade designs and cool ideas.
Some of the best desert patio ideas incorporate native construction materials, comfortable outdoor furniture, as well as natural landscaping with low maintenance. Shaded or covered patios are a must in desert climates. Popular patio construction materials include clay-tiled roofs, adobe bricks and thatched straw. Small patios are partially enclosed with clay or plaster walls to keep the sun off and create privacy.
Even in small desert patios, you will want to be prepared for hot summer afternoons and cool evenings. Air circulators and overhead ceiling fans cool off small patios nicely and are great for entertaining. Some folks use small evaporative coolers to stay comfortable on the patio. Built in misting systems create a fresh, cool atmosphere on hot summer days. Surprisingly, you also might want a fireplace or fire pit during cool summer evenings in the desert.
The cooling and relaxing sounds of water features are often used on the patio or close by. Water fountains add a sense of tranquility and beauty to the patio and are especially beautiful at night with lights.
Many people design patios in the desert with shade walls as part of the patio design. Others prefer more of an open look and rely on numerous desert plants to provide color and shade. Planting bougainvilleas alongside the patio provides brilliant color and excellent shade when well established.
Creeping lantana in multiple colors provides a dash of color and low maintenance. Pampas grass gives the patio a natural look and makes a nice contrast with bird of paradise. Tall cannas with purple leaves and bright yellow, orange or red blossoms create a festive look and reproduce each year.
- Wicker furniture works nicely with desert landscaping and thick cushions provide a relaxing place to sit and enjoy beautiful desert sunsets.