By Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team InScottsdale, our evenings are some of the best in the country for outdoor entertaining. When planning an outdoor patio, it is important to keep in mind weather you would prefer a formal or informal style patio. A formal style follows a more balanced look, typically being symmetrical, following straight lines, and with a constantly trimmed hedges and up-kept yard. Informal styles follow a more asymmetrical look, with curved lines, and an atmosphere that does not necessarily have to be trimmed and proper. However, whether you prefer a formal or informal look, most patios follow the same abstract concepts: unity, variety, proportion, and balance. Here are some tips to remember when using these concepts for your patio. Unity means that everything flows together, and nothing looks out of place, or as if it does not belong. The patio and the house should have unity, along with the patio and the yard. For instance, if a patio leads into a formal style living room, then the patio should reflect it. Likewise, if the patio leads onto a backyard flourishing with brightly colored flowers, then the patio should blend, also, with this. Variety offers an element of surprise, and keeps a design from looking monotonous. For instance, a path that leads around a corner, or different types and heights of trees that offer different levels of lighting throughout the day. Privacy screens and a patio that has steps will help offer different looks to more vertical patios. Proportion keeps a patio from being too small or too big for its house. Most patios are designed at the same scale as a standard living room, however, this does not mean that you should be afraid to go any bigger; patio furniture is usually more bulky and takes up more space than living room furniture. A patio too big, though, will cause furniture to look small and create big, empty spaces. Balance is achieved when both sides of a patio appear to have equal “weight” to them. There should be a center focal point, and on both side and objects should equal each other out; for instance, if there is a large tree on one side, then wide shrubs could be planted on the other. Remember, also, that balance does not necessarily mean objects are arranged symmetrically. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona.  Award winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, [email protected] or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes forSale and Estates forSale inScottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.