If you have no chance to get away for a southern vacation this year there is no reason to despair. There is a great opportunity to design your landscape in Mexican style and you can enjoy the festive atmosphere of a hacienda at home this summer.

As any other decorating style Mexican garden décor also has its own peculiarities:
Color
1. The predominant color in Mexican look is yellow — bright, cheery and warm. If the outdoor space abuts a stucco house exterior it is recommended to use the stucco yellow or soft terracotta. AS an alternative you can fashion walls for your space from a fence, a screen or a trellis painted an uplifting sunny hue.

2. Add bright blue or vivid turquoise accents to the yellow. Other popular hues are terracotta, red, orange and bright pink.

Furniture
1. To achieve the authentic Mexican look for the furniture made of heavy woods. Small rough-hewn side tables will look great in this case. But, if you haven’t found the heavy wooden furnishing try to paint simple wooden folding chairs bright yellow and blue.

2. Another option is to use wrought iron or hammered metal furniture. You can use the Mexican influence of these materials in gate hinges or accessories such as candlesticks.

Tiles
1. Mexico is famous for its beautiful tiles. These can be either unfinished terracotta or those with bold glazed patterns of flowers or other objects having the shades of yellow, blue and red.

2. It is advised to install clay floor tiles to make the concrete slab patio look new and fresh. If you can’t afford tiling you can use your imagination and paint everything by yourself.

3. Cover your roof with red clay tiles to complete the Mexican look.

4. Brightly colored tiles can be used on a table or a tray. The terracotta theme can be preserved by using clay plant pots.

Fabric
1. You should use roughly woven natural fibers, such a cotton tablecloths or woven rope chair seats which suit this theme perfectly.

2. A brightly colored wool serape can be used as a scatter mat, throw, or "wall" hanging.

3. A rope hammock is also a perfect option.

4. Cover the cushions with striped fabric in primary colors for cushion covers.

Accessories
1. Wrought iron candlesticks or grille work can serve as accessories for your Mexican style.

2. Fish and bird motifs (such as roosters or parrots) are also a great option. They should be made of clay or tile.

3. It is important to use the bright colors into the plantings in your landscape. Choose nasturtiums for hanging baskets or the lattice you’ve installed. If you’re growing zucchini or other squash, it will be beneficial to plant them near the patio to add blossoms to the whole atmosphere.

4. If you want to avoid yellow in your flowers, use bougainvillaea, pastel poppies or broadleaf greenery such as yucca plants.

5. Fill a rope basket with apricots, guavas or pears. OR as an alternative you can make oversized paper mâché replicas or paint wooden yard-sale fruits.

Try a few of these ideas and before you know it, you’ll be sipping margueritas and crunching tortillas in your very own Mexican courtyard.