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Discover patio design ideas by its direction and styling tips according to Feng Shui to bring coziness and aesthetic to your outdoor space wherever it is placed.
Patio Decor Ideas by its Direction
The direction your patio faces greatly affects how much sun, wind, and shade it gets, which in turn influences how to decorate and use the space. Moreover, according to Feng Shui, each direction is associated with an element and corresponding colors that promote harmony and balance. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons for each orientation and the ideal colors for patio decor based on the direction it faces:
North-Facing Patio
North-facing patio stays cool and shaded most of the day, which make it ideal in hot climates while its soft, indirect light is great for relaxed vibes. Yet, less natural light may make it feel dark or cold and moss or mildew may build up faster in damp regions.
You can use outdoor mirrors to reflect light and open up the space and add throws, outdoor pillows, and a fire pit or heat lamp to bring warmth and cozinessto your outdoor space. For plants, prefer ferns, hostas, hydrangeas, or ivy that work well in north.
According to feng shui, north facing patio is associated with the element of water and it has a calm, reflective, and cool vibe. You can incorporate the supporting metal element with accents of white or metallics and water features or glass elements to enhance the water energy.
Suitable colors to use in a North-facing patio are blues like navy, sky blue, or teal, and black. On the other hand, to balance coolness you can use warm tones like terracotta, mustard, or warm wood. For lighting, add fairy lights, wall sconces, or solar lanterns to brighten the space.
South-Facing Patio
South-facing has maximum sunlight throughout the day and it is warm and bright even in cooler seasons. Yet, it can become too hot in summer and it might need sun protection and shade solutions like pergolas, retractable awnings, or outdoor curtains. Moreover, try using light-colored outdoor furniture made of UV-resistant materials.
For lighting, go soft and warm for evenings like string lights or lanterns. Add a sail shade, outdoor rug, and comfy loungers with cooling cushions. Choose growing sun-loving plants like succulents, lavender, rosemary, or hibiscus that can thrive here.
In Feng Shui, South is associated with the element of fire and it has a warm, vibrant, and energetic vibe. Red, orange, purple, pink, strong yellow are the best colors for patio decor in combination with green accents, which represent the wood element that feeds Fire. Moreover, you can use candles, lanterns, or a fire pit to amplify fire energy.
East-Facing Patio
East-facing patio has lovely morning sun, which make it perfect for breakfast or morning coffee. In the afternoon, it is ideal for hot areas because it stays cool. Yet, it has the disadvantages of losing light by early afternoon and feeling cooler later in the day.
For furniture, opt for bistro sets or a cozy bench with soft blue and green cushions to create a breakfast nook and enjoy the morning sun. For for late-day and evening use, add ambient string lights or solar stake lights and layer a blanket. Incorporate camellias, azaleas, herbs like mint or parsley and hanging plants for calm vibes.
According to Feng shui, the element of wood prevails in the east-facing patio with its fresh, nurturing, connected to growth vibe. Use wooden furniture, lush plants, or bamboo decor. Experiment with green, brown, olive, or teal shades and mix accents of blue or black as water element supports wood element.
West-Facing Patio
The West facing patio has low in the morning and harsh sunlight later in the day while it is a great for entertaining and sunsets in warm evening. So, there is a fading risk for fabrics and furniture because it can be glaring or hot. You can add vertical slats, climbing plants, or a sunshade to filter harsh afternoon rays.
For furniture, you can choose comfortable metal seating like sectional sofas or outdoor dining setups. Add lanterns, tiki torches, or LED string lights for cozy dinner settings and use a water feature or misting fan if heat becomes too intense. Plants like bougainvillea, sunflowers, or citrus trees do well here.
The metal element prevails in the west-facing patio with its crisp, elegant, peaceful vibe. You can use metallic accents, stone, or ceramic planters for harmony and blend them with accents of earth tones like beige, ochre, or light yellow as Earth nourishes Metal. Best colors to inorporate are white, gray, silver, or gold.
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