Planning and designing a patio for your garden area allows you to make the space uniquely yours, and express your personality while offering comfort and charm. The size and position of your garden and your planned patio area are important. Some prefer a patio closer to the home, while others plan a patio area based on the sunlight or views offered. Either way, the idea is to transform your garden area into an outside room or space that you will enjoy spending time in. There are a few guidelines that can help you achieve this, but there are no hard and fast rules for designing your patio area.

Proportional design is critical to creating a patio space that is in harmony with your existing home and garden. In addition, the size of the patio will also be influenced by its function. If you plan on setting furniture on your new patio, consider the type you will use. It is even a good idea to select the pieces that you will purchase to make sure the size of the patio will accommodate the size of the furniture. For the basic table and chairs, a space of about 3m x 3m should be adequate. However, with the addition of barbeque grills or sun loungers, the size of the patio will need to increase.

The shape of the patio is another essential planning consideration. Most people feel restricted to a rectangular design, without realizing the design potential of a curvilinear patio. Patios that have less rigid boundaries tend to fit naturally into the landscape. Use a garden hose or string to mark out potential designs – you will gain a greater appreciation for the space you are creating and how it relates to the surroundings. Try to mimic the shape of existing flower beds or use shapes that will emphasize featured aspects of the garden.

Even after deciding on size, shape, furnishings and other details there is one more vital aspect that most people do not consider: the color. Color is an effective tool to create a beautiful patio as well as a pleasant atmosphere, you want the color to not only complement your home but the yard as a whole. You could either match the stone of the patio with the colors of your house, or you could use two different types of stone with complementary colors, the options are endless.

The overall design of the patio will be greatly influenced by the choice of materials used along the perimeter. A popular choice that creates a professional and finished appearance is the incorporation of a small stone or brick wall around the edge of the patio. The design and planning stage is the critical point to bring all of these elements together – such as choosing the type of material to use, the height of the wall, and the finishing technique, which can range from including planting beds on the top or making use of a coped stone to smooth off the edges.

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