8 European-Style Patios That Invite and Charm

Spanish-style villa. This classic Spanish-style villa has lean whitewashed walls, warm terra-cotta tones and a cool, shady inner courtyard.

If you have the luxury of a wall you can paint, whitewash it to give the space a clean, cool backdrop. If you can't add warm terra-cotta tiles to the floor, try using oversize terra-cotta planters and fill them with vibrant-color flowers, like red geraniums or bright bougainvillea. Select furniture in dark brown or black and create contrast with bold red cushions. Add black iron light fixtures or accessorize with black metal candle lanterns to add to that Mediterranean feel.

English cottage. This garden is reminiscent of the English classic book The Secret Garden. Lush vines, rich color and quiet nooks for reading and relaxing give it a peaceful feel.

If you're inspired by the Brits' beautiful gardens, start with a table and chairs in painted white iron or go for a fun color such as sage green, dusty pink or baby blue. Use floral chintz for your table linens and crockery; mix, match and clash those patterns! You can pick up odd pieces of china tableware and old silver cutlery sets at your local antiques market.

Add lots of different herbs and colorful flowers. Even though an English garden looks all romantic and natural, there is a little planning involved. First work out what flowers and herbs will thrive in your climate (and when they bloom). Then think through different heights you will need to get those lovely layers of color. Delphiniums and lupines (blues) give some height, then add upright campanulas (white), geraniums (pinks or red), cosmos daisies (pinks and whites) or agapanthas (blues or white). On the final lower layers, consider something like bedding dahlias and begonias with some trailing plants such as cacopa or verbena. Plant in groups and pack everything in close.

You can also try climbing plants such as creeping roses to cover railings or exposed walls, and add a small water feature to create a relaxing sound of running water.

Spanish finca. Tucked through an archway, this rustic warm stone farmhouse feels every inch the Spanish finca. The large stone animal trough makes a great water feature.

To create your own little patch of Spain, grow pots (or a trough) of desertworthy succulents. If you don't have lovely sand-colored stone walls, paint a surrounding wall in a rich mustard yellow or a warm terra-cotta red. Use iron or wood garden furniture with olive green cushions. If you have space, add an additional comfortable chair or two with an ottoman so you can put your feet up and relax. Keep a wicker basket nearby with a handy supply of magazines to read and, of course, a side table with a nice jug of chilled sangria.

Spanish revival. Vibrant Spanish tile adds quirky color to this outdoor space.

Try using Spanish tile on a wall, the floor or the kickboards of a staircase. You can even find iron tables with Spanish tile tops. You can get a similar effect using bold-patterned fabrics on seat cushions, throw pillows, tablecloths and possibly drapery. Play with differently scaled prints from the same color palette, such as this great combination of navy, light blue, orange and white.

More European-style patios