Summer and the beach are the perfect pairing, where surf and sun meet relaxing and fun. Right now, however, beaches can seem out of reach. If you crave the beach, but want to stay away from the crowds, then create your own seaside paradise with a beach inspired patio that will have you kicking-back in no time! We've put together our best ideas, from lighting to plant picks, to get you started!
Grass is Class
Our top tip for creating a beach inspired patio or garden is to use grasses! These easy to care for, and often drought tolerant, plants create a wind-swept landscape. Grasses come in a variety of colours and heights, some of them ornamental. These plants add movement and texture, as well as filling in space that would otherwise be much less interesting.
We love Mexican Feather Grass and Pampas Grass for their unique looks and swaying movements. You could even create a border around your patio, or garden, with long grasses to add a bit of privacy.
Sails + Whales in the Details
Seaside accents do wonders to create a beach inspired patio theme! Everything from shell collections to old wooden ship models. Yard sales, thrift shops, and home decor markets all have unique beach accents to add. Anything rustic, wooden or nautical can be used in your beach theme. Get creative!
Light the Night
What would a patio or garden be without mood lighting? Day or night (especially night!) we love to light up the area with some magic. With a beach inspired theme you want to have lights that add to the overall look. Lanterns do this wonderfully, housing real or battery operated candles, as a beautiful accent. From wood to tin, painted or metallic, there's no end to the designs you can find.
The Silver Grey of Ocean Spray
Of course you need plants on your beach inspired patio! To start with, we love using plants that have silver-grey coloured foliage, as they immediately create a sand and surf feeling. As a bonus, many of them are drought tolerant, and they all mix well with your more colourful blooms.
Our favourite silver-grey foliage plants include: Dusty Miller, Silver Lavender, Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-Summer), Lamb's Ear and Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice plant).
Turn the Sand into a Wonderland
Beaches may not bring to mind a lush garden or patio, but you can create your own paradise in your backyard without any sand at all. You get to decide where the shady spots go, which blooms will grow nearby, and how close you want to be to the afternoon cold drinks.
Adding in blooming plants to your beach inspired patio will give it colour and beauty, as well as attract pollinators that you can enjoy during your siesta. Take a look at some of our favourites below:
- Crocosmia in oranges and reds
- Salvia will always attract the bees and butterflies
- Sea Kale (Crambe maritima) mimics an underwater garden
- Sea Breeze Fleabane (Rigeron glaucus) will bloom in beautiful violets
- Elijah Blue (Festuca glauca) immediately transports you to the seaside
- Bee Balm (Monarda) adds bright pops of colour
When you pot up your plants (if they aren't going directly into the garden) be sure to use containers that continue to add to your beach inspiration! Worn wood crates or boxes, jute and wicker materials -as well as driftwood- all enhance the plant's natural beauty while creating the beach inspiration you crave.
Make your own driftwood succulent planter for the patio (or indoors during the winter months) with our easy DIY video below:
When the beach seems too far, or too crowded, enjoy your own seaside patio at home with the family! Picnic out on the patio, sunbathe all afternoon, or turn on some relaxing sounds of the ocean to really get into the mood. Happy beach trails!