You’ve bought a home with a huge backyard—but how do you make the most of your space?
A yard full of grass is nice, but it’s not very practical but relaxing outdoors or entertaining. To spruce up your outdoor space, think about building a backyard patio!
It can be a great way to make the most of your home’s backyard, ideal for barbeques, family dinners, or sunset drinks. However, there are a few things you’ll want to think about first.
Ready to build your patio? First, keep reading to find everything you need to think about when deciding on a look and style for your patio.
Location
When designing a patio, first think about location. Where do you want your patio to be?
If you have the luxury of a large backyard, consider factors like shade, direct sunlight, privacy, and wind, as these can all help you determine which area would be best.
Often, homeowners build their patio so that you can step straight out of the back door and onto the patio. This is amazing for entertaining and helps you create a seamless indoor/outdoor living area on nice days.
Large doors that open wide, like the Renewal by Andersen french doors, will help achieve the blend from indoors to outdoors.
Purpose
Patio design needs to reflect its purpose, so what do you want to use your patio for? Often, patios are used for outdoor dining or relaxing, but there are lots of other uses as well.
Your patio might surround your outdoor swimming pool, you could build an outdoor cooking area, or you might just want to relax. So, think of what you’d like in your patio space and include those elements in your design.
Many homeowners love including an outdoor fire pit as well, ideal for chilly evenings!
Weather
Consider your climate when designing your patio. Your patio needs to be all-purpose, able to survive the seasons.
If you live in a harsh, cold climate, for example, you need to build your patio out of materials that won’t freeze or crack under several feet of snow.
Some of the best materials for cold climates include slate, concrete, and terracotta, as they can withstand freezing temperatures.
In really hot climates, you might want to consider materials that won’t get too hot, as you don’t want pets or kids burning their feet as they walk around.
Budget
Can you build a patio on a tight budget? Yes!
Many homeowners think they need to hire a landscaper and a contractor to create their dream patio—sure, this is a good way to get beautiful results, but you can also save money by doing some of the work yourself.
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, there are plenty of DIY patio ideas that you can create. Keep in mind that secondhand patio furniture can help you save money too, so look for it on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Or, if you’re not on a tight budget, you may prefer to sit back and let someone else do the hard work! In that case, there are plenty of landscaping and patio companies who can build it for you.
If you hire a landscaper, prices tend to start around $2,000 and go up from there, depending on the size and complexity of your project.
Materials
What materials will you use for your patio? There is a wide range of options, depending on your budget, style, and preferences.
Often, patios are made from brick, tile, flagstone, pavers, loose gravel, or poured concrete. It helps to do plenty of research online, getting a feel for how each type of material looks when used on a patio.
Concrete tends to be one of the most affordable, and most durable, building materials. However, many homeowners prefer the elegant look of brick or stone. The choice is yours!
Maintenance
Another factor to think about is maintenance. Do you want a patio design that you can ignore, or would prefer to spend some time looking after it?
Different patio styles will require different amounts of caretaking, so keep this in mind when selecting a design. Think not just about the patio itself, but the plants and flowers you plant around the area.
Hedgerows, for example, can be great for shade and privacy, but they’ll need regular trimming to look their best.
Or, if you have stones with gaps in between, there’s always the risk of weeds popping up, which can destroy the look of your patio.
Style
Another big choice for your patio comes down to style preferences. Your patio can be an extension of your personality and the style you’ve created for your home, so think about which type of look you’d like.
Outdoor patios can be sleek and minimalist, retro, traditional, or even themed—it’s really up to you.
Use These Ideas to Make Building a Backyard Patio Easier
If building a backyard patio is on your agenda this summer, use these tips to help work out what you want. Then, start researching styles and try sketching out on paper how you’d like your patio to look.
Whether you do it yourself or look for a local patio contractor that you can work with. Soon, you’ll be relaxing outdoors on your new patio, loving the fun and convenience it can bring to your life!
Was this article helpful? If so, please keep reading to find more informative content.
