An important part of going green is ensuring you have an eco-friendly patio. Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to make your outdoor space more environmentally sustainable. Whether you’re looking to make small updates or you’re buying new patio furniture, we’ve got 9 tips for making your patio eco-friendly.
9 Eco-Friendly Outdoor Patio Ideas
1.) Garden native plants. Choose local plant varieties for your home garden, whether you’re growing potted flowers right on your patio or starting a full-fledged vegetable patch next to it. Native plants generally require less water, which is an obvious plus. They also fit perfectly into the area’s natural eco-system and provide the ideal food source for local pollinators.
2.) Collect rainwater. You can use rainwater to water your patio plants or even dry patches of your lawn. This is better for the environment than using additional tap water to keep your plants green and lush. Find tips on how to create a DIY rain barrel that makes storing and using rainwater easy.
Rainwater barrel downspout
3.) Buy quality eco-friendly patio furniture. Not all furniture is made equally. When shopping for outdoor furniture, look for brands with dedicated green practices. For example, both this Mission Beach loveseat and this Torrey Pines sectional curved circular sofa are made with eco-friendly Sunbrella Fabrics. They’re also built to last, which is another way to help the environment.
By taking this route, you’re investing in the environment as well as your patio. Buying quality outdoor furniture means you won’t have to replace it as often (or at all). The less replacement furniture you have to buy, the less worn-out patio furniture ends up in landfills.
Martinique Beach Daybed
4.) Shop locally in San Diego. Even if you can’t afford to invest in sustainable products, simply buying your furniture locally gives you a more eco-friendly patio. This reduces the emissions expended when transporting furniture across the country (or world!). It also likely saves you the shipping costs—Fine Furniture San Diego offers free local delivery!
5.) Use a wood-burning fire pit. Burning wood only releases C02 that is already making its way through the carbon cycle, which means it is considered “carbon-neutral.” This makes it a more environmentally-friendly option than a coal-burning barbecue, especially if you can get your wood from a local, sustainable vendor. If you’re just breaking out the marshmallows and hot-dogs, do the environment a favor and stick with the wood-burning fire pit.
6.) Install porous pathways and paving. Skip the concrete and use tree rounds or loose stone to pave your patio or create pathways in your yard. Their porous nature encourages proper water drainage and prevents contaminated run-off from filling nearby waterways. Additionally, because they are made of smaller components, they’re easier (and cheaper!) to repair than concrete.
Stone Pavers
7.) Plant trees. Not only will they grow to be a great source of shade, they also improve the air quality of your yard. Their root systems help regulate groundwater, and their branches create habitats for local wildlife. It’s a win all around!
8.) Buy solar-powered lights. Let your lights charge during the day and enjoy ambient patio lighting at night with no added electrical costs. If you plan to burn candles, choose environmentally-sustainable varieties made with beeswax or soy wax.
These solar powered pathway lights keep your yard light up and accessible at night while using the sun’s natural renewable energy.
9.) Keep up with maintenance. Once you’ve followed these tips to make your patio eco-friendly, make sure you keep it that way. Save water by sweeping the space instead of spraying it down with a hose. When tidying an outdoor space, it’s even more crucial to use natural cleaning products so you don’t introduce any harmful chemical directly into nature. Be sure to take care of your patio furniture, repairing it when necessary rather than replacing it.
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