If you just bought a new home without a patio, or you have an unsightly concrete pad or deteriorating stamped concrete patio, you may be planning for a new patio. But before you hire a patio contractor, it’s helpful if you have a good idea of the patio design you want, and do your homework.
We’ve pulled together some tips and design ideas to help you get the patio of your dreams. Let’s get started.
Are you big into outdoor entertaining? Then you’ll want a large, possibly multi-level patio that incorporates everything you might need to throw a large party. If you want a smaller patio footprint so there’s lots of grass for the kids and the dog to run around in, you’ll still want a nice patio to eat out on, but it won’t be nearly as big as the one for the party people.
This may seem obvious – the patio is right off the kitchen. That’s true for every main patio. But if you’re building a larger patio, you may also want access from the garage. You may also want to consider a hidden-away patio in another part of your yard, where you can have a meditation space, or build a fire pit. Take a walk around your property to find the best spot for a secondary patio.
If you have a sloped yard, take that into consideration as well. You may need stairs or retaining walls incorporated into your patio design.
There are 3 basic patio design shapes: Rectangular and symmetrical to the house, rectangular and angular but asymmetrical from the house, and natural curves. Curved lines have become much more popular in modern patio design.
For an upscale patio, you’ll want to select either natural stone or patio pavers. Natural stone will cost more but gives a custom look. Pavers come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and textures. You can choose from smaller pavers or large-scale patio slabs. Consider using a contrasting paver as a border for your patio.
Check out some of your paver options with these major manufacturers:
You’ll want to use complementary materials from the same manufacturer for any retaining walls/built-in seating.
When you’re creating a patio design, you also need to think about the landscaping. Are you keeping things pretty much as-is, with a big expanse of turfgrass? Or do you want to add shrubs and flowers to your patio area? Will your patio builder do the landscaping or will you? These are important things to consider.
Last but not least, the biggest factor in getting the patio you’ll love for years to come is hiring the right patio designer. You want someone who shares your vision and has the technology to show you every aspect of the design and how everything comes together.
Ask neighbors, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Research each possibility, reading through their online reviews and checking out their websites. Do they have examples of their work on their website? Do they look beautiful?
Interview at least 3 patio designers before deciding who to hire. Make sure you get them to include all of your options. Good designers will be able to tell you where you can save money and still get all of the features you want. Go with a contractor who communicates clearly and promptly. It’s a good sign of things to come.
If you’re looking to upgrade your patio this summer, we can help turn your patio design ideas into reality. We design and build high-end patios for luxury outdoor living. We can also install your landscaping, build your pergola, design and install your outdoor kitchen, install your fire pit, and more. Check out our Portfolio for examples of our work, and to gain inspiration.
We work with homeowners throughout the Capital Region, including Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
