A small outdoor courtyard is an inviting place.
A courtyard is basically an open space surrounded by walls. It can be either inside a building or outside; however, there are some basic elements to be found in all courtyards. When you incorporate these into your design, you'll be able to give your open space a courtyard look. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose a theme for your courtyard, one that works with the materials and style of the surrounding walls. For example, brick or plaster walls can work well for a Tuscan or Mediterranean look. Wood can accent a minimalist Zen style.
2. Consider the type of flooring to use. For an outdoor courtyard, you can use wood, as for a deck, tile, paving stones or even cement, if you have an existing patio. Indoors, choose stone or tiles to set the courtyard apart from the rest of the house.
3. Add walls as necessary for an outdoor courtyard. "Walls" in this sense include anything that can be used to block off the space; they don't have to be solid. Lattice fences or even hedges can act as "walls."
4. Incorporate a water feature. This can be a fountain, a waterfall attached to one of the walls, a small pool or a small pond, perhaps containing fish or water plants.
5. Choose furniture based on the purpose of your courtyard. You will need to choose pieces that can withstand the elements if they are to be placed outside. If you want to dine there, choose a table and chairs fitting your theme; if you want the space more as a quiet place to relax, choose seating suitable for that purpose.
6. Use plants and small trees, such as topiaries, in decorative containers. Place them around the perimeter of the area. For an outside courtyard, you can also consider using trellises up against the walls of the house and training ivy or flowering vines.
7. Accent with light. For an outdoor space, attach lighting fixtures to the walls so you can enjoy the space at night; you can also string lights in any available shrubs or trees. If an indoor courtyard does not have a built-in skylight, you can install a large, opaque glazed panel in the ceiling and back-light it with daylight bulbs.
Tags: outdoor courtyard, open space, your courtyard