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Vacation destinations inspire patio makeovers at home

Words: David BenincasaRe-creating the sights and sounds of a vacation destination’s outdoor living space can give a home’s patio the feel of a five-star resort. Here are five patio updates that will make it look and feel like the setting for a relaxing getaway:

Water Arches Add Ambience

Water cascading over your pool in a gentle arch turns the ordinary into extraordinary. And a pool is not required: sprinklers that shoot water arches can be installed within a patio, creating a play area for children.

Floor Your Guests With Pavers

If you look under foot at the outdoor spaces at resorts and beachside homes, the patio is typically made of decorative concrete pavers. Why? Durable enough for heavy foot traffic, the pavers’ variety in shape, color and size offer design flexibility and turn the floor into a décor element.

“Many people use pavers in patio areas as much for the designer look they offer as for the durability they provide to an active area, which makes them a wise investment when updating outdoor spaces,” said Ken O’Neill, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Belgard Hardscapes. “You can easily refresh an existing patio or pool deck by laying pavers over existing flooring like a concrete slab, though we recommend you use a licensed installer who knows how to safely overlay pavers or who can remove the previous underlayment. If you’re creating a dream vacation oasis, you want to avoid the nightmare of a poorly planned patio.”

Wind Down With Waterfalls

For many, the gentle sounds of a splashing waterfall can wash away stress. Add a water feature to your patio for the visual and acoustic benefits and find a way to relax even when you’re not on vacation. Some fireplaces also include built-in waterfalls so you can enjoy two of nature’s elements together.

Add Flair with Fire

From fire pits to fireplaces, fire features invite you to use your patio long into the evening, making every night feel like a vacation. With dozens of options — including sophisticated fire tables and chef-friendly brick ovens — and modular sets that can be installed quickly, there is a fire feature to fit every patio size, lifestyle and budget consideration.

Raise the Bar

Outdoor entertaining and eating are inherent to warm weather and a must-do while on vacation. Create the same environment at home with an outdoor kitchen or bar with adjacent social area. Not sure if you have the space? Ask your landscape contractor to use special design tools that allow them to create 3-D renderings of your space, so you can plan and modify your ideas before the work even begins.

With a few exciting updates, homeowners can bring the sounds of an island resort or ambience of a mountain getaway to their own patios, assuring the relaxing feel of a vacation is only a few steps away.
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