Lazy summer afternoons with friends, days in the sun with the kids, barbecues with family and loved ones – we all love those warm months with long days and plenty of sunshine. And we all want the perfect place to make the most of those hot days and warm evenings. Where better than the perfect patio?
The only challenge is creating the right space. In this post, we’ll discuss seven things you should consider to get great results on your patio.
1. POSITIONING IS KEY
Before you can even start to think about materials, size or usage, you need to decide exactly where you want to put your patio. The position is vital when creating a patio, as you won’t be moving it around once it has been placed.
We all tend to think a patio should be adjoining or close to the house, within easy reach to just step out of your back door and onto your patio. But, in reality, this might not be the best place to make the most of your new haven.
You should think about where in your garden gets the most sun – or gets the sun at the best time in the day. If you work through the day and want to enjoy or drink or two in the evening sun, place your patio in the spot with the best light later on in the day. Or, if you’d prefer a bit of shade, don’t opt for an open, uncovered area of your garden. This is one instance where putting it close to your house might work best.
2. ACCESSIBILITY
As well as choosing the perfect position for your patio, you also need to consider how accessible it will be. How often will you be using it? Do you have any mobility struggles? Perhaps you have other key garden features that you don’t want to obstruct? Accessibility is a huge factor to consider when creating your patio.
Of course, it’s personal to your preference and garden design, but typically, you should place your patio somewhere within easy reach of your home, without too many obstructions, especially if you plan on using it often. Put it at the bottom of your garden, over often wet grass or decking, and you risk not making the most of your patio.
3. SHAPE AND SIZE
Of course, the shape and size of your patio is highly dependent on your garden. The bigger your garden, the more room you’ll have to play around with. Ideally, you should choose your garden furniture before you decide on the size of your patio, or you run the risk of not being able to accommodate everything you want.
If you have a large family or are planning to have all your friends round in the summer, you need a paved area big enough to fit your garden set and additional room to allow easy, comfortable access. However, if you just want a couple of chairs or sun loungers, a large paved patio can look intimidating and out of place.
4. MATERIAL
The next, and probably most important, factor to consider when creating your patio is deciding on the material you want to use. Typically, most people opt for natural stone when creating a patio, for the warm, welcome look it creates. But even this leads to a great number of choices. From sandstone and limestone to slate, it can be difficult to decide which look works best for you and your home.
Sandstone is known and loved for its naturally subtle colours and unique stones – no two paved areas will look the same. Limestone will blend seamlessly into your outdoor area with a beautifully natural look. On the other hand, slate adds a more stand out splash of colour and is highly durable, perfect for those looking for a unique look and feel to their garden.
Or, if you want something sleek and modern, outdoor porcelain paving is a stunning twist on the classic design. Crisp, clean and elegant, porcelain paving is often used in modern homes with its smooth finish.
5. COLOUR
Nowadays, you don’t have to stick to the classic beige and grey tones for your outdoor paving. There are so many variations and colours to choose from. Of course, the classics are still as beautiful as ever, tying in your entire garden with natural shades and tones. However, a bright splash of colour or a dark tone can add something special to your garden, contrasting with the natural shades generally found in the garden.
In the typical English weather, you will need to consider how your paving stones will look when wet, as they may spend much of the year this shade. Some shades may also fade or wear in the sun, so be sure to look for a colour that will last, or one that you’re happy with when faded.
6. INSTALLATION
Finally, you need to install your patio. If you have experience and plenty of hands to help, the DIY route might be a practical option. Alternatively, you might want to leave it to the professionals. After all, they can have it done much quicker and usually with a better end product.
7. HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS
Whether you’re going DIY or getting in the professionals, it’s crucial to have the best paving products to make sure your patio looks great and stands the test of time. Infinite Paving stocks range of top-quality paving products in a wide array of colours and styles.
With over a decade experience in paving, we know our products like the back of our hand, so our team can always help if there are any questions before you buy. If you need any more information about how to create the perfect patio, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.