Patio Design Ideas and Tips

Today there are so many materials to choose from for the surface of your patio. Some of the more popular are available at home improvement and landscaping centers.

They can be used for simple and complex projects alike and are not confined just to the patio. They can also be used for walkways, retaining walls, and driveways along with permanent fixtures such as benches and flowerpots.

These versatile stones are made out of concrete and come in many sizes and shapes. They're also available in many different colors. No mortar is needed to install concrete pavers, they are held in place with course granular sand.

If using pavers around a pool, they won't be as cool as a deck but will be cooler than other alternatives such as terra cotta and tile.

Because they aren't connected as a solid surface, they do not build up as much heat as if mortared together.

However, if you're using them for a pool area, you may want to choose lighter colors over darker ones so they don't build up as much heat.

Pavers are also a suitable product for driveways. Many people use them to cover old concrete driveways. As long as your driveway doesn't have a lot of cracks and breaks, you can use the pavers over an existing driveway using it as your base.

Another use for pavers is over an existing patio slab. Like driveways, as long as your patio is in decent condition with no heaving sections, you can actually use the patio as your base and place the pavers on top of the existing patio.

This eliminates the hassle of breaking up and removing the old patio to install a new one as well as eliminates all the extra effort of excavating the ground for construction of the patio.

Many people worry that the use of sand to bond the pavers together instead of mortar makes the pavers weak. On the contrary, it allows the patio to flex with ground movement.

This prevents cracks and heaving that occur with concrete as a result of freezing and thawing over time. Patios made with pavers and sand are actually as strong, if not stronger than patios of poured concrete.

Another great quality of pavers is that if they stain from oil or other products, the individual pavers are easily replaced.

Unlike a concrete slab that's stained forever, you can remove individual paver stones and replace them with new unblemished ones.

This gives you the ability to keep your patio fresh through the years, without replacing the entire project.

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Flagstones are generally thin flat stones used in patios and walkways. You can purchase man-made flagstones, or you can go the natural route by collecting them from creek beds or purchasing the natural stones from a quarry.

Flagstone is extremely durable, but the size of some of the stones makes it a little more difficult to work with.

However, because of the simplicity of building porches and walkways made of flagstone, the cost you save by using your own brawn is well worth it. It's estimated that you can save up to 2/3rd in cost by doing these yourself.

Flagstone handles different climates well and is not susceptible to the freeze and thaw of the colder climates. These patios will last a lifetime if taken care of properly.

Another great attribute of using this type of stone is the flexibility of the filling material. You're not stuck with only using sand to fill in the cracks.

Many people use forms of bark and moss to fill in the cracks and give the patio a more natural look. Due to the size of the stones, you usually don't have a lot of problems with shifting.

There are many different types of tile to choose from, but not all will be suitable for your climate. Ceramic and terra cotta tiles are usually fine for outdoor use because of their ability to absorb water, but terra cotta tiles do not handle the freeze and thaw of some climates. Also, terra cotta is susceptible to stain if not sealed properly.

Also, if using this type of tile around a pool, beware of the heat. These tiles do tend to be hotter in the summer sun and will burn if you're not careful.

Another pitfall is the slipperiness. They're extremely slick when wet, so you'll want to be careful where you use them.

The upside to this type of tile is that it is very durable and can handle high-traffic areas with ease.

Another good choice for outdoor use is slate tile. It handles freeze and thaw well and resists fading and abrasions. It's more expensive when compared with other choices of tile, but its beauty may be well worth the expense.

Slate is extremely slick when wet and doesn't handle greasy areas well. Try to avoid using it near grills or entryways where water or grease may accumulate.

Porcelain tiles may also be used outdoors and do well with the freeze-thaw condition. They are dense and hard so they don't wear down quickly even in heavy traffic.

They're also water resistant. Consider using porcelain tile in areas of interest, such as a focal point on a patio.

Porcelain designs with a fountain as a centerpiece are very attractive and the sound of the fountain is a relaxing bonus.

Loose Fillings are any type of filling that can be used to create a patio, without excessive use of stones or other hard surface objects.

For example, wood chips, mulches, pea gravel, or any other decorative small rock make excellent fillings for patios.

A great idea when using loose fillings is to use different color gravel or other materials, divided by separators. You can use stones as separators, or create your own out of plastic edging material. It's possible to create some really unique designs by using this method.

For all patios, you must use the basic elements of design. For more information on these basic elements, refer back to the section titled Decks.

In addition to the design, other important characteristics of any patio include drainage, weed control, and borders.

For proper draining, it's important to allow for sufficient water runoff. A good rule of thumb is one inch of slope for every 8-12 feet of patio. You can measure the slope by using a leveled string, tied to two stakes, and a ruler.

For the most part, a properly installed patio will control its own weeks. However, if you're using loose materials it's a good idea to lay a sheet of plastic or other suitable material before you begin filling. Remember to poke holes in the plastic to allow water to drain through.

Paver stones and other stone-type patios and walkways will have the occasional weed growing in the seams. These are surface weeds and are virtually unavoidable.

They're easily removed by hand. If you have excessive weeds growing in seams, a dusting of weed killer on the surface may take care of the problem. The weeds and grasses grow when air-born seeds land in the cracks and crevices and sprout.

Don't forget the border. Any finished patio has a distinctive end. You can accomplish borders by using stones in a different direction or fascia boards to show the definite end to name a couple of options. There are also prefabricated borders available at home improvement stores.

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The following is a basic patio design using paving brick paving stones. The dimension of the patio is 12 x 12 when completed. This patio is easy to construct, durable, and easy to manipulate into the size and design you desire.

The pictured patio is a little more intricate than the 12 x 12 patio, but it gives you an idea of the design possibilities.

Don't be afraid to leave an unpaved space in the middle for a focal point flowerbed or outdoor fireplace. The possibilities are endless with this versatile patio.

The middle section may also be used to combine tiles with the paver stones. For example, a mosaic or ceramic tile design in the center of this patio makes a unique and interesting centerpiece.

Begin by framing the area where the patio will be placed. Make sure your corners are secure, or the boards will separate once the sand is added. You can use braces on the inside of the frame for more security.

If you desire your patio to be flush with your lawn, you will construct the same way, only you will excavate the ground first to the desired depth.

In this case, you do not need to use wood to frame because the patio will frame itself with the excavation. However, you'll want to outline the patio with plastic edging to keep grass from growing into your patio.

Spread the sand to a 4" depth uniformly. Use a level to make sure your sand is level throughout. You may also use 3" gravel and 1" sand instead.

You may need to alter the amounts to make your pavers flush with the border. This design is based on a 2" thick paver stone.

Begin by placing the paving stones on top of the sand in the design you have chosen. Here are a few examples of designs using rectangle paver stones. Once all the stones are in place, you are ready to add the fill sand for the final step.

Pour additional sand on top of stones and use a broom to sweep across paving stones. Continue this step until all cracks are filled fully with sand. Your patio is now complete and ready for use.

If it sounds simple, it is. The most intense part of the entire project is the labor. You'll use a lot of muscle, digging, leveling, and paving. However, if you're not excavating too deep, this can easily be a weekend project.

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Of course, the above project is the basis for any patio laid in pieces. You don't need to use bricks or pavers when creating the picture to the right.

This patio uses poured slabs of various sizes. Flagstones and slabs will also create this same effect.

You may purchase already-made slabs or flagstones at a local home improvement center. However, if you're feeling really creative, you can create your own slabs. I know of people that have used various colors or textures in the slabs for a unique appearance.

For example, a slab laden with colored pea gravel creates a different look when compared to a smooth slab. The use of both textures throughout a patio creates a very unique design.

If you are laying a slab or flagstone patio, begin by excavating the dirt to six inches. Make sure it's completely level throughout.

Once leveled, lay the slabs on a base of 5 parts sand to 1 part mortar mixture. Lay the slabs so that they're all even, using a rubber mallet if necessary.

When working with the slabs, make sure you don't walk on the slabs that have already been placed. Always work on the mortar base when installing the next slab instead of stepping on the placed slabs.

Also, be sure to lay the slabs as best you can without displacing the underlying mortar. For example, don't place the slab on end when putting it in place. Once all the slabs are in place, you can brush the entire area with dry mortar mix to fill in the cracks.

If you're creating this patio out of flagstone, your pieces will not fit together as uniformly as the slab patio. Because flagstone is more natural, you'll have many flat stones of different sizes and shapes. Putting the puzzle together can be very challenging.

It's a good rule of thumb to lay out the patio first, mark the pieces when you have them laid as you wish, then remove them to begin the underlying ground preparation.

This will save you headaches later when you have that one stone that just doesn't fit after all the rest are placed where you want them.

Also when using flagstone, you're not tied to using the mortar as a filler. You can use other materials, including topsoil and moss as filler for the cracks. With both types of patios, make sure all stones or slabs are level before using the final filling material.

This porch is both easy to install, durable, and suitable for many areas. Pools are a great area to use this type of patio because the stones are hardy to the water and foot traffic and are usually not excessively slick or hot for bare feet.

The picture on the following page shows the use of a slab-based patio as a border for an in-ground pool. As shown, the patio can be manipulated to serve as both a sun deck and a patio for lawn furniture, by changing the shape of the design in certain areas.

Another option for an easy patio is a patio made from loose material, such as pea gravel or mulch-like materials. These patios are much less formal than patios made from slabs or paver stones.

These patios are also very easy to install and the choice of loose materials available in creating these patios leaves a wide variety for the end product.

A loose patio is a patio created from pea gravel, mulch, or any other loose material. It usually has larger slabs or bedrock mixed throughout for the placement of chairs or tables. However, the largest portion of the patio has loose material.

Believe it or not, the patio pictured left is made from loose material and large tile. The white squares are strategically placed tiles, while the black areas are black pea gravel.

It creates the formal checkerboard effect, but is actually easily constructed even by the "do-it-yourselfer". The key to this patio is in the leveling.

Also as shown, don't be afraid to mix in areas of landscaping throughout a patio. You don't have to get fancy with the cutting of the tiles when creating an inlaid plant bed. A rectangle or square can be just as effective as cut shapes.

To build a patio from loose material, you'll begin as before by excavating a section approximately 6 inches deep.

Once the area is level, you will place a base of sand or another suitable base approximately 4 inches deep.

You will then strategically place your larger slabs or bedrock throughout the patio, leveling them into the sand so that when the loose material is added, the patio will be uniformly level.

If you're using rock from a creek bed, you'll need to adjust the underlying sand a lot more than if you purchase large slabs that are made to look like bedrock.

Once all large rocks are in place and level, you'll fill the other areas in with the loose material of your choice.

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Up until now, we have talked about patios that are "do it yourself" patios, and not as formal as a patio can be. There are, however, many other types of patios that you can have contracted for construction. These more formal patios include the popular tile-based patio.

With a tile-based patio, the possibilities are endless. You can go with the traditional ceramic look, or more of a mosaic look.

There are many designs available and any good contractor will have a portfolio of pictures showing the beautiful patios which they have built.

You can even mix and match tiles to create centerpieces. The picture above shows a Mediterranean-style focal point amongst a base of terra cotta.

This patio is very functional with the durable terra cotta tiles laid amongst the greenery in the landscape and has added flair with the framed flower stand used as a formal focal point in the garden.

The lawn furniture and Mediterranean tiles have hues of blue that complement each other and tie the entire patio together as an extension of the home.

This creates an outdoor living area that is both functional and beautiful and will be enjoyed for many years to come due to its durability.

When using tiles to create your patio, take into consideration your climate. Some tiles will not withstand the winter months of the north as well as others.

For example, a terra cotta tile may crack and break with extreme cold, whereas a ceramic tile is better able to handle the freezing and thawing of winter precipitation.

Whatever type of patio you choose, take into consideration awnings, arbors, trellises, or any other type of constructed device that you'll want during the initial planning. If you decide you want to add something as an afterthought it may be too late.

The picture to the left is an easily constructed arbor that covers a loose material patio. This patio has even more possibilities when wisteria or another lush flowering vine covers the top providing shade and additional beauty to the landscape.

Vines can be used to climb the posts and intertwine throughout the top of the arbor providing needed shade if the porch is placed in a sunny area.

Another finishing touch that needs to be forethought is landscaping and retaining walls. If you have an area that slopes into your patio, you may want to use a retaining wall to keep it in place.

By using the same type of material you use in building your patio, you're able to tie the two together easily. Also, if you need to add a step or two as an entrance or an exit from the patio, you can figure out the steps using the same stone or other material as used in your patio. This gives the entire area a finished look and feel.

Don't forget about landscaping. You may have views that need to be blocked or enhanced when viewing your yard from your new patio.

Use plants and shrubs that will compliment the shapes and colors you choose. Also, be aware of flowers that may attract an excessive amount of bees to your new patio.

For example, honeysuckle growing on a trellis may be beautiful, but you may not be able to enjoy it with the hundreds of bees that will feed on the vine.

Patio Fireplace

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Other finishing touches would include outdoor fireplaces or barbeque pits. These can be as informal as a purchased potbelly-type outdoor fireplace, to a constructed rock centerpiece with a chimney.

Fireplaces can convert a summer outdoor entertainment area into year-round entertainment for family and friends by adding the needed warmth in the cold winter months. A very popular trend in today's designer homes is creating an entire outdoor cooking area on the patio.

Outdoor fireplaces and gas stoves are figured into the original design of the patio as well as a seating area for family and friends.

Some even include wet bars for additional functionality. This converts the "summer patio" into a year-round room for entertaining.