You know the patio is at the core of your fantasy outdoor living area when you think about it. Whether the end result includes a pool, a pavilion, an outdoor kitchen, or other features, you’ll want to be sure your patio can handle it all. That’s why it’s important to think about patio size before having one created. It’s an important consideration when designing a patio layout.
Of course, you could be stumped as to where to start. You could be asking how big my patio should be.
When designing a patio layout, a trained landscape designer will take into account a few important factors.
Unfortunately, not all designers and developers put out the effort to consider every element. This is especially true with regard to the cookie-cutter patio designs created by many landscaping companies. It’s probable that you’ve seen them before. Someone has a lovely property with a little kidney bean-shaped patio that seems out of place. It’s really too little to be very practical.
We’re talking about what can be considered when deciding patio size and layout because we want you to create the perfect selections and be delighted with your completed patio space.
- When determining patio size, consider what you plan to use the space for
When it comes to deciding the size, shape, and layout of the patio, how you want to utilize it is important. This includes anything from the number of guests you expect to have on your patio to the activities you want to hold.
- Do you intend to have meals outside, and how much seats will you require? ● Do you want to be able to dine outside and have an outdoor kitchen? ● Are you planning to include a swimming pool in your extended patio design? ● Do you want to spend time on your patio while sitting in front of a fire feature? ● What kind of furniture (and how much of it) do you want to include (and where)? ● For larger gatherings, will you need any built-in or overflow seating?
- Do you have a property that is sloped, implying that you may have a multi-level outdoor space?
These are just a few of the issues you should be thinking about when you and your landscape designer start designing a patio layout, including the size and style that will meet all of your requirements.
It’s fairly unusual for homeowners to envision multiple uses for their patio area, and that’s just acceptable! In fact, this may lend itself to a design that includes numerous places for cooking, dining, swimming, and sitting and enjoying a nightcap. With plenty of “outdoor rooms” to spend time in, this may substantially improve the overall usage of the area.
Of course, if your landscape designer doesn’t spend time looking into all of these details, you should be concerned that you’ll wind up with a generic design and layout. When it’s completed, it can fall short of your expectations.
- Patio Design and Size Must Consider the Grading of Your Property and the Need for Stairs
Many of our clients’ homes in Northern Virginia are sloping and hilly, which, as previously said, lends itself to a multi-level patio. Many homeowners choose this sort of arrangement because it is more attractive and exciting than a single large flat patio. It contributes to the illusion of several “rooms.”
However, it will be an important factor to consider when deciding the proper patio size and arrangement. Your landscape designer should think about where the ideal spot is to put the various staircases and pathways that will be required to link these diverse regions.
It’s important that everything goes smoothly. Steps that look ridiculous are the very last thing you want. The arrangement will be important in ensuring that it blends in with the rest of the room and offers both aesthetic and practical value.
Because some homeowners want both a deck (for the top-level) and a patio, it’s critical that both places complement one another.
It’s vital, once again, that the phases are written out in a way that works for both spaces. When both places aren’t designed at the same time, the steps might be placed in a way that blocks the view of the patio (or worse, makes it less usable).