Patios are great for entertaining, and offer choices that aren't available indoors. Here are some ideas for using your patio, and turning it from blah to a place that you and your family will love spending time together.

Fire pit or Fireplace

Outdoor fireplaces are growing in popularity, and are becoming much more common in backyards across America. A fireplace adds elegance and ambience to your outdoor parties or dinners. While beautiful, some people prefer a fire pit over a fireplace. The reason is that the fire pit allows several people to sit around the fire, roasting marshmallows or just shooting the breeze.

Whether you choose a fireplace or a fire pit, a fire feature will help make your patio space very special. If you can't decide between the two, just get them both!

Outdoor Kitchen Area

In addition to your grill, consider adding an outdoor refrigerator and sink. This will help all your outdoor dinners and parties run like clockwork, and you won't have to be inside ? away from your guests ? while you prepare the food. Once a luxury, the cost of outdoor appliances has dropped and more and more families are able to have their own outdoor kitchen.

Seating

To really be able to use your patio to its fullest, you should have seating both around a dining table and other seating areas where people can visit or just enjoy your backyard. Even if your patio is on the small side, there may still be a way to fit extra seating. Consider seating that goes around the edges of your patio. This will provide maximum seating while taking up a minimal amount of patio space. You'll want your seating to be comfortable so purchase thick, cushions with covers that can be easily removed for washing.

Make it Pretty and Final Touches

When considering the final touches to your outdoor space, attack it much as you would indoor space. Think about what you want to achieve with your outdoor space. Do you want it to be relaxing and inviting or whimsical and fun? Do you want it to remind you and your guests of a trip to the shore or a night in the city? Whatever you choose, be sure than any products you buy will be able to stand up to the weather. Spray metal items with a rust inhibitor and protect any wood pieces with a water protectant.

If your climate will allow it, use flowers all around. After all, you want your outdoor space to LOOK like outdoor space. If space allows and you plan to install game areas, such as volleyball, whenever possible make the games visible to those sitting on your patio. This will allow family and guests to take advantage of the seating on the patio while still being able to enjoy watching the games.

Your patio can be a wonderful addition to your home. With a little creativity you can turn it into one of the most popular spaces in your home!