A Bare Patio Gets a Luxe Makeover That Turns It into a “Mini Vacation”
If you’re lucky enough to have some outdoor space to call your own, you know it feels just as much a part of your home as everything that’s inside. And that outdoor space deserves just as much love and attention as the inside gets, too!
This patio makeover from designer Anam Farooqui (@anamfarooquidesigns) is a perfect example of how to make outdoor space feel cozy and inviting. The exterior was actually one of the things that sold Anam on the house: “I instantly fell in love with the large windows with such a spacious backyard,” she says. The only problem? Even with all that space, there was “not enough covered area,” especially considering Anam, her husband, and their three boys love to spend time outside.
“We knew we had to use this space to be able to entertain family and friends,” Anam says, so she decided to give the area a hangout-friendly makeover as part of the One Room Challenge.
The makeover started with a cozier patio area and a pool.
As part of the makeover, Anam hired pros to expand the patio and add in a pool. Because of the size of the backyard, they were able to still keep a grassy area (even after the additions!). The new patio is concrete with a decorative pebble border around the pool area.
A DIY privacy wall brings a little more coziness.
Once the pool and patio were built, Anam and her husband decided to build a small wood privacy wall on one end of the patio to make the space feel a little cozier. The slatted wall features decorative panels with an intricate, lacy design that adds a little extra character to the patio area. It’s painted the same color as the pergola so everything blends together.
Comfy decor completes the space.
Anam made separate zones for hanging out — a loveseat, lounge chairs, and a pouf — as well as dining. She made sure that everything is maximized for comfort, with lots of plush cushions and even an outdoor rug underfoot.
Hanging planters, warm lighting, and other thoughtful details make the patio feel extra special. “I love everything about this backyard makeover,” Anam says of the new space. “It’s like we’re on a mini vacation every day.”
The best part is that the backyard is now made to suit the whole family. “I’m so proud of the fact that this patio design works so well for my family,” Anam says. “It’s beautiful yet so functional. There’s something for everyone and still so much space for future additions.”
This project was completed for the spring 2022 One Room Challenge, in partnership with Apartment Therapy. See even more of the One Room Challenge before and afters here.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.