How to Design a Backyard Patio

Making the most out of your backyard space will extend the living area of your home. Patios are wonderful ways to make the outdoors useful for guests, dining, relaxing, playing and lots of other uses. There are more ways to design your backyard patio than simply constructing a square of concrete. Here are just some ideas you can adapt to your own backyard patio design.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Quick-sketch garden plan

   Always start with a drawing on paper. It can be just a rough sketch of your back yard space or a professionally done plan to scale, or anything in between. You want to think out your design so it will be both beautiful and practical. You will want to make your patio blend in with your whole garden, especially the other hardscape (permanent) structures.

2. A small rounded pation feels cozy.

   Create a shape that conforms or contrasts and is either connected to the back door area or adjacent. For example a rounded patio shape, surrounded by gardens will soften the hard edges of a house and create a private feeling space with a gentle, contained feel. A wide but narrow patio can provide an 'apron' for a large garden or lawn area. Or a slightly detached patio could work as a divider for a long and narrow backyard space.

3. Your patio space will work best if it compliments your house.

   Look at the style of your house. A traditional or formal looking house will blend in nicely with an older look; a patio with classic brick and aged looking furniture, for example. A contemporary styled house will be set off well by smooth, simple clean lines. And a cottage garden might look more charming with a small patio ringed with a decorative picket fence.

4. Use a hill to introduce a patio.

   If you have property on a hill, you can make a landing from a staircase into a useful patio space.

5. Think out the shape of your patio.

   Don't be confined to geometric shapes only. Let your patio curve and flow with planters to soften the boundaries. If you do choose to use a simple geometric pattern, don't just do it out of default, but make it into a statement like this square carved out of the lawn.

6. Use color to accent a patio space.

   Have fun sculpting out the space of your patio. If it will be set up against a wall or the house itself, define it with a bold color.

7. A comfortable patio is an outdoor room.

   Decorate that space so it becomes as useful as another room. You can even find outdoor furniture and rugs to convert a patio into an outdoor room.

8. Extend your home outdoors with a beautiful patio

   Designs for patios are endless. Look at pictures in magazines and on the internet for ideas. Or call in a designer to help come up with great ideas. You are paying for ALL your property, not just the house, so you might as well make your backyard into an outdoor living space you will love. A patio is the perfect way to do that! You can find some samples of patio designs and other landscaping ideas at http://www.gatesandcroft.com.