The Patio area
It’s time to recap. Have you been paying attention this year; we are already halfway through! In January we decided on our plan for the year, how are we going to make our garden into our own personal oasis. February started with bespoke raised beds and a planting plan for home-grown vegetables. In March you decided to enjoy the garden and leave the maintenance to us. April encouraged us to rejuvenate the lawn and to re-wild one of our boarders. Last month we focused on the soil and installed our compost heap. This month we are diving into spaces to enjoy the garden, patios. We have installed countless patios over our 10 years and many this year already.
A patio is defined as ‘an area outside a house with a solid floor but no roof, used in good weather for relaxing, eating, etc’ (Cambridge University Press). Each patio is unique to the house, considering its shape and contours. The variety of materials and styles available mean that there truly is something for everyone.
Now, the intended use of the patio is crucial to its location. Closer to the kitchen for ease when getting ingredients for the BBQ? We often install patios in the area which gets the most sun, especially in the evening to enjoy after work. It may need to be a big enough to cater for a large dinning area. One of our customers wanted it to be in a position where she could sit and enjoy the rolling hills at the bottom of her garden. You can use sites like Pinterest to choose a certain look or style, e.g Mediterranean. Once this is established the design process can begin. The four main elements to consider are;
- Hard Landscaping (Structures such as the patio, a pergola)
- Soft Landscaping (Planting)
- Furniture (Seating, table)
- Accessories (BBQ, lights, fire pit)
Hard Landscaping creates the foundation to the space. Materials vary widely depending on taste and budget, for more information click here. A pergola is a gorgeous addition which gives hight and is often used as trellis for climbing plants. This could either have a slatted roof to provide privacy and shade, or a solid roof for all year use.
Soft Landscaping considers planting arrangements and uses. Clematis and climbing roses are a popular choice to help with pergola screening. Californian lilac is evergreen, producing blue flowers in the summer. Another option can be herbs, great for outdoor cooking and cocktails, brilliant for getting children involved. Lavender is resilient and provides beautiful scented purple flowers. Mint is prolific so be sure to plant in pots.
We recommend spending the afternoon browsing garden centres and home stores to feel and sit on garden furniture. With so much choice, this can help whittle down colours, styles, and materials. Then, you can shop around for the best price. There are countless websites that can help you with this. Be sure to check reviews and use the measurements to ensure that it will fit. Remember to refer to the design plan, keeping with the intended style.
Accessories are regularly an oversight however, with planning will always become seamless. We can install outside power to connect lighting, speakers, and water features. Including a BBQ or firepit in the planning stage will create a safe and practical accessory. The right patio can give you an extra room, enhancing your garden and add value to your house. Think of the patio area as an entire design concept. We can help with all steps of the process. If you’re looking to create a perfect patio, please get in touch.
