A patio is a part of the house that is partially covered. Derived from the Spanish word ‘patio’, which means back yard or garden, it is generally a paved extension of the home without a roof on top. It is ideal for relaxation, enjoying outdoor recreational activities, and often acts as the bridge between the house and the garden. It is the perfect place to spend summer evenings to enjoy the outdoors and get fresh air to breathe, and even in winters it is a place to start up a fire. Patios are made part of the design of the home to ensure that time is not spent caged indoors. The hammock is the perfect addition to a patio since it is perfect accessory for comfortable relaxation. While people would like to be outdoors they may not want to spend hours sitting on even the most comfortable chairs. Hammocks offer the perfect spot to sit back, lie down and even doze off in the midst of natural surroundings.
Any type of hammock would look good in a patio. Cooler places would certainly need quilted hammocks, but the warmer places can use Mayan, Brazilian or any other hammocks of cotton fabric or rope. Since the patio is very much a part of the house it may not be necessary to dismantle hammocks everyday. The only consideration that has to be kept in mind is that hammocks with a tighter weave would be more durable to weather the constant exposure to the environmental heat and dust.
The patio is the best place to install a hammock stand for the hammock, be it the reclining hammock or the hammock chair for seating. A patio is a place for relaxation and therefore needs casual, comfortable seating. The bright and colorful hammocks are great beauty enhancers for the patio and complement the other furniture. Fabric hammocks would have to be nylon or canvas for their durability, since a cotton fabric hammock would have to be carefully removed when not in use. Spreader bar hammocks are wider and though they need more space they are found to be more comfortable by many users.
Patio hammocks should be selected after keeping in mind a few points like size, colors, design, location and the system of hanging. Color coordination enhances the aesthetic appeal of the patio and the right size is important for the hammock to blend with the rest of the furniture. The patio hammock design is a matter of personal choice and the location must ideally be such that it is partly covered to reduce its exposure to the elements and partly in the open to get a view of the open, clear blue sky.
Once the patio gets the hammock it is likely to become the most used space in the house with everyone vying for an opportunity to use it.