Use of Color in Courtyard Landscaping
Use of Color in Courtyard Landscaping
As suburban gardens become more compact, al fresco areas have evolved into more of a natural expansion to the inside living spaces. Consequently a good deal more consideration needs to be given to decorating the available space so that it becomes a totally integrated area. And in this context, colour plays a vital role since it influences our moods and changes the feeling of the space in which we spend time. So let’s take a glimpse at how to work with colors when redecorating or remodeling.
If you already have a dominant architectural or color motif indoors that you like, try to extend this to the outside area so it will become an instinctive extension of the indoor living area by using the same theme with cushions, pots , outdoor furniture or other ornamental features.
If you have a natural wooden interior floor adjacent to the outdoor terrace or courtyard, you could extend the natural wood look to the outdoors by constructing a wood deck using a similar colour wood species. Alternatively if you have just a concrete patio, one simple technique to resurface the area without ripping up the concrete is to cover the area with interlocking wood deck tiles. These tiles just snap in place over the existing concrete or wood surface and lock into position with inbuilt connecting tabs. Tiles are available in a number of wood species so you should be able to find a wood species that looks similar to your existing floor covering. And if you have ceramic or stone tiles inside, you can also get interlocking tiles in slate, granite and porcelain. The beauty of these tiles is that they can be laid by almost anyone, even with no any handyman experience , typically in merely an hour or so for a standard size patio or deck.
On walls or fences, experiment with natural colours, then vary your decorative accessories and garden plantings creating a different look for each time of year until you’ve found what works best and gives the most satisfying result.
In addition to colour, don’t overlook using textures since distinct textures also play an important role in developing a pleasurable landscape design. Opportunities for experimenting with texture effects could include tables, chairs, pots, wall hangings, cushions, paving, plants – in fact almost any decorative accessories. Foliage in particular offers a multitude of textures and interesting shapes. Choose plants with a motif in mind: are you establishing a tropical “jungle” , a place to relax in the sun and dream of vacations in Italy , or a stark modernist approach with grasses and cacti? But before rushing out and spending a fortune at the nursery , keep in mind that each plant has particular needs in terms of soil, sun, humidity, temperature and rainfall. If you can’t provide the correct requirements , your plants simply won’t flourish . You need to be aware of how each plant will look in each time of year, especially the main period when you want to be using your exterior spaces the most.
But bear in mind, too much of anything, whether it’s patterns, textures or colours, is not a good idea . Too much variety and especially in small spaces can look overly “busy”. And with plants, large groupings of just one or two species will generally produce a much superior impact and look more well balanced in a small area than a large number of different plants with a riot of different colored flowers.
Marco Keyes writes about quick and undemanding ways to upgrade exterior decks and patios using both traditional and modern materials including interlocking patio pavers.
