Outdoor patios can be attached to a house or detached. They are often designed and oriented to the landscape. Patios are versatile: they can take on any shape and be built with various materials, like concrete, pavers, stone, tile, brick or gravel. Most patios are set on a concrete slab or a sand and pebble base. Once you’ve decided to build a patio and chosen a site, there are other design considerations:
Space: Available space will determine your patio’s size.Shapes: Squares, rectangles, ovals.Levels: Multidimensional surfaces work well with slopes and uneven levels.Drainage: Working with existing runoff systems or determining the best place to build one.Grading: Deals with soil redistribution for a flat, even patio base.Privacy Screening: Walls and enclosures turn a patio into an outdoor room.
Patios are versatile: they can take on any shape and be built with various materials, like concrete, pavers, stone, tile, brick or gravel. Most patios are set on a concrete slab or a sand and pebble base. Division of space and suggesting a separation or another area outdoors can be achieved by altering the direction of pavers or bricks, or by mixing materials. The following pictures include these design elements. The three aqua / turquoise ceramic planters are tall and architectural, making a visual impact without taking up lots of space. Tall modern planters and clean lines look good with architectural-looking plants, like broad-leafed grasses and succulents.
Decomposed granite (DG) is the solid-packed dirt-looking material Bricks in a semi-whorled pattern with concrete pavers Pea gravel, which is small, pea-sized pebbles
Each patio flooring area has flexible edging that allows you to make curves, circles, or meandering, non-geometric pathways. It’s a striking, geometric, modern look - and not all types of plants would look good in this planting bed. The cacti and succulents work well here; a cottage garden would not. This patio garden design is inviting—it draws you in and engages you to interact almost immediately, rather than being formal and unapproachable. While the patio is situated on a “bluff” that’s only about 4 feet from ground level, the wall and landscape design give the illusion of being set on a much higher level. Note also that the seating area is kept to a minimum and faces toward the view – it’s not designed in the standard conversation-style layout. When entertaining, add some pillows and use the wall for additional seating; place containers for color and interest; add candles or lanterns for evening ambiance. The mixed materials used on this patio are saltillo tiles and glazed ceramic tiles where they show on the stair risers. Materials used are widely spaced pink/peach flagstone pavers with pea gravel in between. The circular metal object in the center is a vintage street-hole cover that the homeowners bought on a trip. This is a perfect example of repurposing: in this case, a former industrial object becomes a decorative element and focal point for an outdoor patio. Simple, easy and original! This yard was part of the Theodore Payne Foundation’s annual self-guided garden tour.
