I’m an interior designer – three design mistakes ruining your patio

AS temperatures finally start to rise, many of us are looking to get our gardens ready for summer.

And with warmer nights and weekends coming, we might be tempted to room to make our gardens look a little fresher.

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But before you buy some new stuff for your patio, an interior designer warns that most of us are actually doing it all wrong.

We may be making three common mistakes that can actually make it look a bit ugly, instead of the lush, relaxing oasis we want.

But don’t worry, the experts have shared their best tips with you to avoid making these mistakes.

Zara O’Hare, interior designer at Land of Rugs, revealed that we could actually be losing money if we make these mistakes.

And if you follow her suggestions, you can save money in the long run.

She said, “I often see people spend a lot of money on patio decor and still make these common mistakes.”

Wrong furniture

Zara has revealed that one of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing the wrong garden furniture.

And if you have furniture made of plastic or dark metal, you might want to look away for a moment…

According to Zara, the problem with plastic furniture is that it gets damaged easily and dark-colored furniture absorbs sunlight.

She said: “Plastic table and chair sets can be very tempting on a tight budget, that’s true. But I’m afraid they’re not the most durable.

“They are a little more sensitive to the sun and can break easily if knocked on a windy day.

“You would a lb or two up front, but in the long run they may cost you more.

“Dark colored furniture, on the other hand, can be terribly uncomfortable on a sultry summer day.

“They act as sun catchers, absorbing all the heat and turning your once pleasant terrace into a real barbecue.

“Ideally, you want to choose something that is durable and has a lighter color that will reflect sunlight rather than absorb it.”

Wrong plants

Plants are beautiful additions to our garden. They add a splash of colour and brighten up the space. They also improve air quality and reduce allergens.

Some species even spread a wonderful scent, making our gardens smell wonderful.

But the constant maintenance can get a bit annoying, which is why some people are wise to leave them alone or buy fake plants instead.

But Zara warns that this can make our terrace look depressing.

She said, “There’s nothing more depressing than a dead plant in the garden.

“The mistake I see all too often is that people choose the wrong plants.

“They choose plants that require a lot of maintenance and that they don’t have time for, or they choose plastic ones that make everything look a bit messy.

“Unless you are a garden guru, you may be better off trying a ‘Honeysuckle’ or an ‘English Ivy’ before opting for the more care-intensive varieties.

“And please, throw away the fake plants!”

How to repair broken patio tiles

The paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how to repair broken patio tiles without too much hassle.

The experts advised: “If you have a loose paving slab, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to lift it straight up by hand. Instead, you’ll likely need a hammer and chisel to pry the paving loose from your patio.

To remove loose tiles without damaging your tiles, carefully chisel away the mortar around the tile with the chisel and rubber mallet until the tile is completely loose.

“Then slide the shovel into the gap created by the mortar and pry the tile loose from the patio.

“As you lift the shovel, place a short piece of wood under the shovel. This will act as a lever, making it easier to do the job and protecting the slab underneath.

“When the paving starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath and roll the slab out of the patio.”

Wrong colors

We all want a bit of colour in our garden. Bright, vibrant colours add a personal touch to the space.

But if you add too many different, clashing colors, you can quickly end up with an ugly patio.

Zara says: “Too many colours that don’t match can overwhelm the senses and make your space feel more chaotic.

“Imagine a hodgepodge of fiery orange cushions next one to bright lime green furniture and a dark purple tablecloth.

“It doesn’t radiate relaxation, does it?

“A cohesive color scheme is a must.

“Choose a bold color for key elements, like furniture, and then add contrasting or complementary colors for cushions and throws.”