Do you have a lot of outdoor space connected to your home that you wish you could use more? Turning it into a cozy patio is a great way to make use of it and create more livable space without undergoing an expensive renovation. It can help you make the most of warm weather, and when put together thoughtfully, can become a great place for you to unwind and take in the beauty of the outdoors. If you love to throw parties and entertain guests at home, having a patio can also help the festivities from feeling too congested indoors. Here are a few ideas on how to put together a dreamy patio that you’ll love spending time in:

Install a patio swing bed

A patio swing bed is, like it says on the tin, a swing bed for your patio. Here at Four Oak Bed Swings, we offer a wide variety of handcrafted bed swings that offer comfortable seating and lounging. Any of our selections can be used as a patio swing bed; for large outdoor spaces, we recommend one of our bestsellers, the Westhaven. Made out of solid kiln-dried pine wood, this is a nautically-inspired swing bed that can instantly transport you and your guests to a private beachside retreat. It’s available in three sizes: crib, twin, or full, and you can choose to have it painted in any of the solid colors available on our site or in a custom Sherwin Williams/Ben Moore shade of your choosing. Alternatively, you can instead enhance the natural pattern of the wood with a stain.

Our Courting bed swing is an excellent choice if you have a smaller space that you’d still like to fill with a statement-making piece. Also available in crib, twin, and full sizes, this is our take on the courting sofa, allowing you to sit face to face with whoever you’re in it with and encouraging interaction. This patio swing bed can be a wonderful addition to a pergola that will provide it with a bit of framing. Just like the Westhaven, you can have it painted in a solid color, opt for a stain, or simply protect the wood with a clear coat.

Both of these swings do not require assembly at all! Hanging them up is easy, too, just by following our provided instructions. You can also have them outfitted with any of our Sunbrella outdoor cushion packages.

Create warmth with a fire feature

There are few things more irresistible on a cool summer night than warming up by a cozy fire. If your city allows it, a fire pit can also be a great place for friends and family to gather and converge.

You can purchase standalone fire pits or fire pit tables for your patio, or, if you’re handy, build it yourself. It’s a project that can be completed in a single afternoon with a handful of materials, and the entire endeavor won’t cost too much. You can use salvaged materials such as granite or opt for retaining wall blocks for the wall of the pit and concrete pavers or fire brick for the base, and fill in any open spaces with pea gravel.

Encourage serenity with a water feature

There’s something incredibly calming and soothing about the sound of gurgling water, whether it’s from a babbling brook or the rushing of a calm river. You can easily replicate that sound with a fountain in your patio. You can incorporate it into the design, or go for a small decorative water feature that you can easily plug into an outdoor outlet and run whenever you want to.

To further enhance the spa vibes, you can also add an essential oil diffuser that will project your favorite scents into the space when you need it.

Put in a kitchen and/or dining area

Who doesn’t love an outdoor party? Whether it’s a casual barbecue on the 4th of July or a more formal event, having all the tools and equipment you need to whip up a feast outdoors on the patio can save you a lot of time and effort. You won’t have to keep walking in and out of the house to make sure that everyone’s got what they need–you’ll instead be able to spend more time entertaining and conversing with guests.

Your patio kitchen can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. You can install a state-of-the-art grill, or go for something more rustic like a brick oven for pizza and baked dishes on demand. We also think it’s a good idea to put a bar in–that always puts people in high spirits (get it?).

Make a statement with lighting

Good patio lighting gives you a chance to enjoy your patio alone or with your loved ones long after the sun has set. Statement lighting fixtures made out of natural materials marry the outdoors with the indoors, providing a cozy glow while illuminating the space. They also draw the eye in a vertical direction, which can be useful if your patio isn’t too large.

Alternatively, you can adorn your patio with string lights that will twinkle and sparkle in the night like little fireflies. It’s a great way to add some whimsy to an outdoor space.

For more ideas on how you can better your outdoor spaces with swing beds, make sure to peruse our catalog.