As the weather gets warmer and daydreams of fresh air fun begin to fill your thoughts, you may be brought back to reality by one chilly sight: the look of a neglected patio. It’s easier to ignore dirt patches and tired furnishings during winter, but now that spring is on the horizon, there’s a good chance that your daydreams are pushing you to do something that upgrades your time spent al fresco.

“You need to invest in making your patio hospitable if you intend to use it,” says Kevin Lenhart, the design director at Yardzen. “This doesn’t mean you need to spend tons of money, but it does mean you need to invest enough to create a space you genuinely want to spend time in.”

Building a comfortable and inviting patio means that it’s more likely to become a hangout space you can use whenever you’d like. “The biggest reason to invest in your patio is for entertaining,” says Los Angeles-based landscaper Rob Jones. “Now is the perfect time to plan for a patio revival. Whether your patio is part of a large garden or it just has enough space for a few pots, make it a destination you enjoy.”

Below, Lehart and Jones share their tips for making your patio an oasis, including the biggest patio trend of 2025. Read on to get their advice and start bringing your daydreams to life.

The Biggest Patio Trend of 2025

Lenhart routinely works with clients to reimagine their outdoor spaces into covetable hideaways, and it seems like more and more people know what they want when their conversations get started. “They do a lot of research before they come to us for a design,” he says. “They’re browsing styles, plants, materials, and other design ideas.” If there’s one trend that stands out to him for this year, it’s customization. 

“They’re often looking to meld a few discrete styles into some new hybrid that feels like the best fit for them as individuals,” Lenhart says.

“They want to have an experience,” he adds. “That means comfortable seating, dining, and shade, and then for the evenings, details like overhead heating and a firepit. There are also requests for things like outdoor movies and background music.”

Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are still solutions to ensure that your patio is a popular spot to take five. Here are three tips to help plan out the ideal space.

Create a Choice Between Sun and Shade

As you plan your patio’s layout, make sure that there’s an option for refuge from the sun. “As summers get hotter, it’s increasingly important to provide shaded outdoor spaces,” Lenhart says. This can mean everything from setting up an umbrella, installing a sail canopy, or even investing in a pergola.

Another option? Invest in a few fast-growing trees and eventually, you can do away with structural shade-creators once and for all. “The benefits of trees are massive, both from an aesthetic and functional perspective, as well as an economic one,” he adds. “The downside is they must grow to yield substantial shade. Plant one now, and in time you may not need anything else.”

Plant a Garden and Use Accessories

Even in a small footprint, potted plants and flowers can help turn your patio into a destination. “Gardening is an easy way for people to express their individual tastes and interests throughout their yard,” Lenhart says. Pay attention to the native plants that thrive in your region, and how much light and care they need to do well — and don’t forget to add details around your greenery and blooms to make them even more immersive.

“You’ll want to think about how it will feel to hear water splash from a nearby fountain or watching birds frolic in a bird bath,” Jones adds. “These are all ways to bring visual interest to your patio.”

Don’t Forget About Lighting

While you’re probably not going to forget about the type of furnishings you want to have on your patio — whether that’s a dining set, a seating area, or both — you don’t want the importance of lighting to occur to you only when the sun sets. “If you want to continue utilizing your outdoor spaces after dark, you’ll need functional lighting,” Lenhart says. “You don’t need to go overboard, though. Overkill with lighting can make spaces less hospitable; you should still be able to see the stars.”

Jones suggests considering where lighting would be most appreciated, such as path lights to lead guests safely to and from the house or string lights above a dining table to create a quaint scene. “Think about ambiance, direction, and how to make things feel welcoming,” he adds. “Doing so will draw you outside and keep you there to enjoy the scene.”

Further Reading

Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture

We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said