One thing that makes moving into a new home so exciting is that you have a chance to completely customize your space. In your backyard, adding a patio not only expands your living space but also adds value to your property. Buyers are naturally drawn to homes that have beautiful outdoor spaces that are ideal for relaxing and entertaining.
As exciting as it is to start with a blank slate when designing a patio, it can also be a little bit overwhelming. It takes a lot more thought and consideration than simply buying patio furniture and setting up a barbecue. You need to carefully plan out the space, making sure that it is designed in the best way possible. If you don’t have a lot of previous experience with this process, it can be difficult to know where to start. The tips and information in the following section should help you create a one-of-a-kind patio for your home that you can be proud of.
Think About How You Plan To Use The Space
The fact that a patio can boost your home’s value is usually a compelling enough reason to consider installing one according to Patio Productions. When you really get down to it, however, it is all about creating a space that you can actually use. In order to accomplish that, you should think about the purpose of your patio. Do you primarily plan on using your patio for entertaining? Do you want to build a backyard retreat where you can get away from the stress of everyday life and relax outdoors? Do you plan on spending time on your patio with your family?
The purpose of the patio will largely dictate how it should be designed. By thinking about how you plan on using the space ahead of time, you can make smart design decisions that increase the functionality of the space. As a result, you are far more likely to actually make use of the area after it is finished.
Choose The Right Location For Your Patio
When deciding on a location for your patio, you will need to carefully evaluate your property. In most cases, there will be a couple of different options available to you. You will need to carefully compare each of these options to determine which choice is the best. Factors that you may want to consider range from the amount of sunlight the area gets each day to the area’s proximity to your neighbors.
Another thing to consider when deciding on a location is how you plan on using the space. If you decided in step one that you plan on doing a lot of outdoor entertaining, you should probably choose a location that is close to your kitchen so that it is easy to prepare and serve food.
Conversely, if you are trying to create a relaxing retreat, you may want to go for a location further away from your home or place it just off of your bedroom.
Decide On A Shape And Size For The Patio
Now that you have a good idea of how you are going to use the patio and where it is going to be located, you can start thinking about its shape and size. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when designing patios is making them too small. After the project is completed, it is better to have a space that is too large rather than one that is too little. If you have enough room, think about making your patio the same width as your house, extending it out into your yard the same distance as the height of your home.
If you don’t want a patio that large, you can determine the correct size by setting up your furniture in the area where you plan on placing the patio. Try to position everything the way that you want it after the patio is installed. This will give you a better idea of the overall size that you need to accommodate all of your furniture and accessories.
During this process, don’t forget to leave enough room for people to easily move between the furniture. Additionally, make sure every piece of furniture has at least several extra inches of space before the end of the patio.
In terms of deciding on a shape, it depends a lot on your backyard. If you already have landscaping in place, you may need to choose a shape that can accommodate your existing features. Going with a circular shape is a good option if you want to create a sense of intimacy. For entertaining, rectangular patios are usually the best choice.
Create A Focal Point
Once the basic details are out of the way, you can start thinking about how to make your patio stand out. This is where you can finally start implementing some of the creative ideas that you discovered when doing research online. From fountains and ponds to pergolas and fire pits, there are a lot of features that you can use to enhance your space.
Ideally, the features that you choose for your patio should be functional. For instance, a pergola is ideal for creating shade if your patio is located in a sunny area. A fountain can help mask the sound of noisy neighbors or can block out noise from traffic on your street. If you plan on hanging out with your family, a fire pit provides the perfect gathering place.
A final thing to keep in mind when designing your patio is that it should complement your home’s architecture. As an example, if you have a French Country home, you probably should opt for a patio design that matches rather than going with something completely opposite like a Spanish-inspired space.
