• A serene patio offers a refuge from the outside world.patio image by ded from Fotolia.com
  
  In the country, it's easy to create a serene patio for relaxing or visiting with company. In more urban environments, creating your dream patio can be more of a challenge, since you must find ways to keep the city sounds and sights from disrupting your tranquility. However, in either case, numerous design techniques will help you to create a beautiful, serene patio.
  
  

Create a Barrier

• A tranquil patio, whether in the country or suburbs, should have a border that separates it from the outside world. Some patios have solid walls around them and often the wall is low enough to see over, which makes the barrier seem less severe. Planting trees or high shrubs that reach above the wall, or using the shrubs and trees as the sole barrier, will also give the space a sense of privacy. As Garden Designer says, choose trees that won't drop a lot of leaves or branches on the patio and garden or grow too quickly. This border will help to keep out sounds from outside as well as undesired views of traffic or other surroundings.
  
  

Use Natural Materials

• Use natural materials in every aspect of the patio, from the tiles to the furniture, as HGTV suggests. Choose stone with irregular edges for the tiles, in a color that complements your home. Choose wooden tables and chairs for the furnishings.
  
  

Plant a Garden

• Create flower beds along the edge of the patio, including along the side that borders the house. Otherwise, the transition from house to patio, and from patio to yard, will seem too severe. Plants give the space a softer, more natural look that invites people to spend time there. When planting flowers, don't go overboard with colors. Intersperse flowers with green plants and focus on two or three colors so the patio doesn't feel too busy.
  
  

Add Water

• Water not only has a calming influence on a space, it adds beauty and can block out unwanted noise. Install a waterfall in a corner, choosing one that's loud enough to block out the noise from traffic or at least draw attention away from it.
  
  

Cozy Seating Areas

• Create a cozy seating area for meditation or quiet relaxation by placing a bench, chair or swing inside a small nook. For instance, you could create a semihidden area in a corner in which a chair is partly surrounded by large potted plants, garden beds and hanging flower pots. Whenever someone feels the need for solitude, this spot will give them a private retreat.
  
  

Other Accents

• Simple candles of a single color will serve as a lovely accent on warm evenings. Place them on tables, making sure they're out of reach of animals and plants. As a plus, citronella candles will help to keep bugs away. A simple arrangement of potted plants in the middle of the table, surrounded by candles, is a beautiful centerpiece. A bowl of floating flowers, as shown on HGTV, also makes a serene centerpiece.