When designing a patio, choose
a style and materials that fit
the surroundings. Here, a
traditional herringbone brick
patio fits with the traditional
style of the house and garden.

Patio Styles

The design of a patio should take into account the style of the house and the surrounding garden, and the purpose the patio is to serve. One of the first considerations is the size of the patio.

A large patio is expensive and may not be necessary if you plan only intimate gatherings with family or a few friends. However, if you like large parties, or live in a neighborhood where most homes have substantial outdoor entertaining areas, a bigger patio may be a worthwhile investment.

Another consideration is levelness. A patio should provide a firm, level surface for seating and entertaining. That's one of the big advantages of a patio over a lawn, which can be a difficult base for setting up tables and chairs -- especially after a rain when it may be spongy or uneven.

 

Add instant interest to patios
by using containers filled with
plants to create focal points
or to divide a large area into
more intimate spaces.

Open and airy. As a general rule, a patio is open and exposed; it visually spills into the surrounding areas. To avoid feeling exposed, consider adding a pergola or other overhead structure to give the patio a sense of containment.

 

Walls and fences create a
comforting sense of enclosure
and definition for a patio.
Whatever enclosing method you
select, put it to work by
hanging wind chimes or a
bird feeder.

Private and secluded. A patio is a private outdoor room. You can create a sense of privacy by using the existing walls of the house or garage. You need not completely enclose the area as you would a courtyard. Instead, consider building a screen or fence to enclose part of the patio, leaving the other sides open. Partial enclosure creates a sense of intimacy, making the patio especially suited to outdoor dining.

Close to home. Having a patio close to the house has many advantages. If it's visible from inside the house, it has a tendency to be used more because you are constantly aware of it. A patio can also serve as a transitional area between the house and the garden.

 

A change in level of one or two
steps creates a sense of
separation, even if the patio
is close to the house.

Change of grade. Add interest to a patio by having it slightly elevated or sunken. This is especially appropriate if your garden is relatively level. If you plan on setting the patio below the surrounding grade, you will need to install some type of drainage system. A raised patio will drain easily if you build the surface with a slight slope.

Underutilized area. Sometimes paving a narrow side yard or other small area can turn an otherwise unused spot into a functional patio. This is especially true of areas that receive little sunlight and might otherwise be difficult spots in which to maintain a lawn or other planting.