Painting yourself in the proverbial corner is very hard to fix when it comes to building a patio! Here are some patio design checklist items to consider before you build:
Size matters. When determining the size of your patio, always consider the 3 foot rule. Allow a 3 foot radius per person, as well as 3 feet from the edge of the patio where nobody likes to stand. If you need more seating, perhaps a few sitting walls made of stone can be incorporated for sitting.
Heat and lights. Do you enjoy quiet evenings? An outdoor gas or wood fireplace, or a simple fire pit is a fantastic way to unwind at the end of the day. These patio features can extend your evening enjoyment well into the fall as temperatures get cool. Low voltage landscape lighting can illuminate key areas without needing a glare of outdoor spotlights to see.
Never water again. Do you like a lot of flowerpots? Consider installing drip irrigation systems in key locations that will automatically water them throughout the summer. An outdoor spigot can even be installed off an existing irrigation system for remote patio areas.
Let’s eat! If you plan to cook a lot on the grill, and you’re thinking about a gas fireplace or log assembly, this can all be plumbed together so that you are not continually changing the small propane tanks under your grill. Or, if you do a lot of entertaining, an outdoor kitchen may be the way to go.
Planning these things out with the patio design ahead of time and planning for them during the installation process can save money and prevent disappointment later. Here’s a pro tip: we always install a PVC sleeve pipe underneath walkways – just in case access is needed in the future.
If you’ve looked at your yard and wondered what you could do to expand your living area outdoors, you’re on the right track. Call us today at Trimmers Landscaping to open up a world of possibilities for you! Check out some of the patios we’ve built here.
