How to Make Your Own Backyard Patio Without Concrete

Poured concrete is only one type of patio construction material.

Patios are enhanced outdoor living spaces with features not available indoors, including pure sunlight, fresh air, blue sky overhead and green grass. These outdoor areas are planned and designed with as many variations as any indoor room. A wide range of flooring, furniture and decorative accessories are available with which to design the ideal patio. A poured concrete patio is only one option out of many, including brick pavers, ceramic tile and loose fill with trap rock. A loose fill patio is easy to install in a weekend and is an attractive backdrop for a backyard fire pit.

Things You'll Need

• Wheelbarrow
• 1-inch diameter by 2-foot long pipe
• Tape measure
• Twine
• Sledge hammer
• Spray paint
• Sharp spade
• Compactable gravel
• Metal rake
• Tamper
• Level
• Landscape edging
• Dressing rock

Instructions

1. Pound the 1-inch pipe into the center of the area with the sledge hammer and tie the twine to it. Measure 10 feet of the twine for a 20-foot diameter patio and tie the can of spray paint to the end of the twine. Walking in a circle around the pipe with the twine extended, spray the ground to mark the outline of the patio.

2. Cut out sod from the circular area with the spade, and dig out the soil to a depth of 4 inches.

3. Lay an inch of gravel, smooth it with the metal rake, and press it down firmly with the tamper.

4. Insert the landscape edging around the inside perimeter, pushing it down into the soil.

5. Use the level to make sure the site is even before applying the loose fill. If it's not level, smooth the gravel some more and check it again with the level, then tamp it down once more.

6. Lay 3 inches of loose fill such as trap rock, decorative granite or quartz, and rake it smooth with the metal rake.

Tips & Warnings

• Customize this loose fill patio with a built-in fire pit in the center and curved bench seating along the perimeter. Add a couple of potted palms, shepherd's hooks with hanging baskets of flowers and a wrought iron basket to hold fire kindling.

• Make your loose fill patio in any shape and size you want: square, rectangular or a flowing oblong shape.

• Surround your loose fill patio with fragrant flowering shrubs such as lilacs, or evergreens such as arborvitae, for privacy and windbreak.

References

• "Patios & Walkways"; Peter Jeswald; 2010
• "Walks, Walls & Patio Floors"; Editors of Sunset Books; 2008
• "Ultimate Guide: Walks, Patios & Walls"; Editors of Creative Homeowner; 2010
• "Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Patios & Walkways"; Editors of CPi; 2010