6 Ideas for Creating an Inviting Courtyard

Thinking about doing a yard renovation, and possibly creating a patio or even a courtyard? Once you do the initial groundbreaking and vacuum excavation to clean up the site, it’s time to plan on the creative details.

If you’re not familiar with the trend, a courtyard refers to an outdoor space that is somewhat enclosed (with walls, or even just shrubbery) and often has a tiled or paved surface underfoot. It’s a low-maintenance design for people who aren’t fond of dealing with a lot of plants or a lawn. Here are some ideas to make yours an oasis.

A Water Feature

A courtyard area is absolutely perfect for a fountain or a reflecting pool as a natural centerpiece to the area. They’re not all that hard to install, even on your own, and they are a beautiful option that makes any yard shine. Adding fish can kick it up a notch, but you’ll have a bit more work and maintenance if you go that route. Even just a simple pool can  be a design focal point. Add a pump and some movement, and you’ll get the natural sounds of trickling water that can create a relaxing atmosphere for your yard.

Shade Pergola

When you want a little shade but don’t want to actually build a proper roof over your courtyard, think about putting in a wooden pergola instead. A pergola is an open roofing design, made up of lattice or beams set with space between them. Not only does it break up the sun, it offers a decorative framework that you can hang plants, lanterns or curtains from for even more creative options.

Outdoor Fireplace

For the cooler evenings, a fireplace is the ultimate in comfort. A free-standing steel fire pit or chiminea is a nice look but you can also incorporate a larger fireplace area right into the structure of the courtyard for a more dramatic look. You can also take it a little farther and create a grill or outdoor oven for cooking and entertaining.

Decorative Cobblestones

Don’t settle for boring concrete patio stones to line the floor of your courtyard. Mosaics, tilework, cobblestones and even smooth gravel pathways can make a big impression on the “floor” of your courtyard.

Comfortable Seating

Make seating an integral and built-in part of your design plans, instead of dragging old lawn chairs out from the shed every time you want to sit outside. Structural benches, or low walls are excellent for plenty of seating and can be another place to add color with fabric cushions (designed for outside use of course).

Plants

Yes, we already mentioned that people like a courtyard structure to avoid all the plants in a traditional yard but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid all greenery. A few strategically placed containers of flowers can soften an otherwise stark look that can come from a paved courtyard. Tall shrubs can add vertical interest, and flowers will bring in a pop of color.