25 WAYS TO CREATE A PEERLESS PATIO

Kohn Shnier architects

4. Think creatively. Most of us haven?t used a milk crate as a piece of furniture since college, but in these bright colors and next to this contemporary home they look like something Warhol would have conjured up as an art piece. They are also easy to move around, stack and even use to carry things outside. The bottom line is to let these simple crates ? or another budget piece ? inspire you to get creative with furnishings beyond typical patio sets.

5. Go tall in a sunken space. In an urban setting, any outdoor space is a luxury, even one below street level. You just have to make the most of it. A high-top table and tall planting bed complement the scale of this space. Leaves add softness and create a garden feel.