When today’s baby boomers were just babies back in the 1950’s, America was getting back into the swing of things after World War II. The soldiers coming back from war got jobs and bought homes for their families. Many of these homes were of a suburban ranch-style design that featured patios which were really just concrete slabs that could hold a table, a few chairs and the barbecue pit.

Once these baby boomers grew up and started having families of their own, the patio as they knew it went out of favor. In its place were wooden decks, sometimes of varying levels that spanned the length of the back of the home. It wasn’t too long though that the maintenance of these wooden decks became too much of a burden to handle. That is when the trend started leaning back to concrete.

In the 1960’s, stamped concrete started making its way into patio designs. These stamped concrete designs were created by using these cookie cutter-like forms in which concrete was poured into. Today, these stamped concrete designs employ more sophisticated methods using a variety of materials that closely simulate the look of stone or brick floors and many other surfaces.

While the wooden decked-out patio fell out of favor in the 1960’s, it hasn’t completely gone away. Sometimes, the wooden deck concept is tied into a concrete slab patio base or even pavers or brick. Another reason why wooden decks are not as popular is because there have been great strides in patio materials, like the stamped concrete and the variety of concrete pavers and patio bricks available.

In the 1990’s and on through today, the trend has been to have a specific design to create around. For instance, the English country cottage look is popular. This could involve a patio made from stone or brick pavers with space between them to grow grass or moss. Even patios made from compacted mulch with stepping stones are fitting for the theme.

Depending on the climate, a southwestern or Old West type of theme is attractive too. A concrete slab surrounded by a rock garden or even the patio itself created from small rocks or pebbles can provide a good base for the theme. Old whiskey barrels filled with flowering plants or cacti could easily complete the patio’s look.

When patios were used during the baby boomers heyday, its primary use was for socializing. These days, given the increased pressures of work and other issues, people use patios as a kind of retreat from their stressful lives. Patios are an extension of the home, almost like another room that was added on. For some, the patio serves as an outdoor eating area, a way to dine al fresco. For others, the patio provides a quiet sanctuary where they could curl up and read a book or just listen to the rain falling. Of course, patios still serve that socializing element as well.

Taking a look back, patios went from afterthoughts, last minute additions to a home, to a main focal point for many families today. Patios are more versatile, fulfilling a variety of roles as that extra “room” in the home.