• Situate benches around the outdoor patio for added seating.bench image by FotoWorx from Fotolia.com
  
  Transform your outdoor patio using a few simple tips and tricks. Low-maintenance plants and flowers add color and texture to the space but don't require much fuss. Add a set of outdoor patio furniture to create an ideal spot for entertaining family or reading the newspaper. When incorporated into the patio space, decorative accessories create an inviting design--for instance, outdoor lights give the space a twinkling glow. Have fun incorporating favorite outdoor items to liven up the space and create a homey feeling.
  
  

Seating

• Seating for outdoor patios is a must. Adding a wide variety of different options not only adds a drama to the landscape but also creates adequate space for friends and family to sit when you are entertaining. Outdoor benches constructed from woods such as teak look ideal lining one side of the outdoor patio or spaced around the perimeter. An outdoor patio set, like a wrought-iron bistro set, tucked into the corner of the space creates a small vignette. Perfect for dinner for two or morning coffee, a small set of wrought-iron furniture is extremity durable and long-lasting. Outdoor accent tables like side tables and coffee tables resting around the patio provide a resting spot for plates, drinks or decorative accessories like a fresh flower bouquet. Add comfort to outdoor seating with outdoor rugs and pillows. Colorful seat cushions on the benches and chairs create a cozy and inviting feel to the space.
  
  

Plants

• Fill the outdoor patio with flower-filled containers to add a burst of color and drama to the space. Containers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, from oversized pots to small terra-cotta containers. To flank the entrance of the outdoor patio, fill two large containers with a textured ornamental grass. Grasses like fountain grass grow 2 to 4 feet tall, and will fill up the container and add height to the space. Fill containers with colorful perennials like coreopsis and verbena to add brightness. Small containers resting on outdoor patio tables and filled with low-growing plants such as sedum and pansy work well to create a visual impact.
  
  

Arbor

• Situate an outdoor arbor around the patio to create a dramatic entry. Cover the arbor with a creeping vine to create a lush canopy and shaded retreat below. Wood or composite arbors are long-lasting, durable varieties that blend with a wide range of patio styles. Arbors come in a wide range of shapes and sizes to fit small or large spaces. Weave a string of outdoor lights around the vine-covered arbor for a soft and magical glow at night.