Patio Designs - Tips For Creative PatiosPatio designs involve many different elements to think about. One of the most important is to decide how large or small you need your patio to be.
Would you like some areas for relaxing in your backyard with some nice lounge chairs? These answers will help determine your patio size. We used dry laid, patterned bluestone for this lovely patio. The bluestone color is "full range", which looks great on many patio designs. To see a video of this project and learn more about it, visit my other page Patio Ideas. Other considerations for patio designs are seat walls, raised terraces, and what paving material you will use. Perhaps you had more of a deck in mind. See Deck Ideas. Visit the Patio Questions and Answers Section!! Consider having some shade on your patio if the area is hot and sunny. An outdoor pergola or even some large shade trees will provide this and also add creativity and interest to the patio design. There are also special amenities that you can add. I have addressed many of them here.
You can read about paving costs. How much are pavers? What can you expect to pay for concrete? What about travertine pavers? Are you re-doing or your driveway or installing a new one? This is a very extensive page with tons of design and driveway paving advice. Is a new swimming pool in your thoughts? Take a look at some of my pictures of swimming pools. See some of my creative 3D designs or learn about my online landscape design services. And don't forget about lighting your patio for night time use! Patio designs can be created to look very naturalistic with beautiful curves. The curves should be large and sweeping. They should also be of a specific radius. This means that the portion of the patio design that is the curve should be radiated out a specific distant from a central point. This not only creates a nice design, but also helps determine the points of the curve when the patio gets installed. Whether installing a patio yourself or having it done by a landscape contractor, use specific dimensions to get the design right.
Patio designs can also be geometric comprised of straight lines. These often meet at 90 degree angles. However, depending on Other types of patio designs combine both curves and straight lines. The Grecian style comes to mind. This is formal, but the use of various line types creates interest. You can see more pictures of this project (picture to right) such as the pond and waterfalls at the patio and read more about the design. Note: The patio depth for a 60" round table and chairs should be close to 15', while the depth for chaise lounges should be 10'. These are minimums...you can always go larger. Visit my page with lots of great information about hiring paver contractors. Seat Walls and Patio Designs An interesting feature to add is a seat wall. Seat walls are both functional and artistic, adding an architectural element to patio designs. Seat walls offer additional seating and foster conversation. Whether the patio is curved, straight, or a combination, patio seat walls are a wonderful addition. I often like to place large, beautiful boulders at the seat wall ends. They provide an organic shape and different texture. Try to design two shorter seat walls at right angles, rather than one long one. It is more comfortable for a few people to sit and chat in this format. Seat walls should can range in height from 18" to 24". I usually choose the middle, which would be 21" high. Please visit my page on stone garden walls for more information on using stone for seat walls.
Raised terraces help provide a gradual transition to ground level when there is a significant change To eliminate the need for railings, here is what to do. Add a planting bed at the edge of the patio. The bed should be at least two feet wide, to accommodate substantial plantings. In addition to the two feet of depth, you will have the depth of the outer wall which should be twelve to eighteen inches thick. The patio planting bed serves as both a physical and mental barrier at the edge. Design landscape steps off the patio to be at least 4' wide. The wider they are, the more dramatic. Learn more about landscape steps on this other page. Paving Materials There are so many paving materials to choose from. The main choices for patio designs are concrete, stamped concrete, concrete pavers, brick, travertine (yes!), bluestone and other natural stones. They all have advantages, but I do like some more than others. For paving cost comparisons, please visit my page on paving costs. Concrete Instead of just letting the mason pour it, you can actually create a geometric design. Create squares of 18" - 24" by "scoring" the pattern. The design can be set parallel to the house, or it can be set on the diagonal, which can be very interesting. There is the possibility of concrete cracking, but hopefully if it is done accurately, this won't happen. In addition, you can tint the concrete by adding color to it. The best way to do this is by adding the color directly to the concrete mix. Read more about concrete patios: Stamped Concrete I don't like the straight lines running through a natural stone look. However, if you choose a geometric pattern, there is less chance of the design being compromised. Concrete Pavers Concrete pavers are a man made product, produced from concrete. There are many colors and patterns available today for exciting ideas. Tumbled pavers are very popular and give a stone-like appearance. Travertine pavers are a natural stone material. These stone pavers are cut to specific sizes. They come in many different beautiful colors and patterns. The wonderful thing about travertine pavers is that they are cool to the touch and therefore they are a great choice for pool paving.They are dry laid which makes for an easy installation. They resist freeze-thaw conditions too. This is such a wonderful paving material. For professional advice and pictures, visit: Also, visit my page, with pictures,on Other Natural Stone you can use such as Idaho Quartz, Crab Orchard stone and Arizona flagstone.
I am partial to bluestone patios! Bluestone is a natural material and will always have character. There are various shapes that you can use along with different color ranges. Bluestone is a great material for patio designs. Dry laying it is less expensive than setting it in concrete...and just as nice.
I appreciate landscaping brick for the fact that it is a natural material like travertine and bluestone. It is made from clay and then fired in a kiln. (Tumbled pavers are made from concrete.) Depending on the specific clay used, different colored brick will be produced. When looking at brick, you may also notice that there are different finishes also. Some brick pavers are very smooth, while others have a more textured appearance. Brick manufacturers have numerous ways of producing these various effects. In addition, you can even buy old brick. Today there are bricks available that are extremely strong and will have great longevity. One style I have used and like is Pine Hall Brick - Rumbled Free Range. It has a somewhat old look and pretty color ranges. I have written more about specific brick patterns and also shown some brick patio photos for ideas. Landscaping brick can be either dry laid or wet laid. But what about laying brick over existing concrete? If you have an existing concrete slab, and question whether brick can be laid over this, the answer is yes. However, you must make sure that this existing foundation is in good condition. Existing cracks and other defects should be repaired. This is easier said than done, and personally I would only consider laying brick over existing concrete if it was in excellent condition. There are wonderful features that can be added to patio designs to make them interesting.
For some great information on backyard landscaping, please visit Backyard Landscaping Ideas.
**Scroll down to see other visitors' questions and answers! Questions About Patio Design or Materials?
Do you have a question about your patio design or a situation that you would like some help with? Whether it be confusion on pavers, bluestone, concrete, other materials or if you just need general guidance, just ask me! I only ask that questions be design related...thanks! Other Visitor Questions and Comments!Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Elevated Concrete Patio
We have an elevated concrete patio that is 3 steps down from the family room door.
Patio Materials - What To Use
Need help deciding on patio materials and what to use.
Travertine Stone - Can Travertine Be Used In a Salt Water Pool?
Hi Susan,
Installing Pavers Over Concrete
I'd like to know if I should install pavers over concrete.
Travertine Stone
Should I consider travertine stone?
Travertine Tile or Pavers Over Concrete
Bluestone Limestone Porch and Travertine Pool Coping
Hello. I hope you can help me. I have a question or two about mixing different varieties of stone. Bluestone Walkways, Patios and Types of Installation There are different styles of bluestone walkways, patios and various types of installations. The most common is dry laid.
Decking Materials and Prices
I thank you for your wealth of information on your website. It is one of a kind. Landscaping Drainage Landscape drainage for hardscape should follow some simple principles to assure that water flows properly.
Pool Stairs
Flagstone Patio | Granite Cobbles
Outdoor Steps
Paver Types With Decks
I have a question about different paver types with decks. Paving with Indian Peacock slate I'm waiting for warmer weather to pave about 600 sq. ft. of patio. Seeking reassurance that this imported slate, 16'x16' tiles will be a great choice....
Thin Set Question
About 15 years ago, I was working for a man as a laborer doing ceramic tile work. We did quite a few outdoor patios. Pavers Over Concrete Whether you can lay pavers over concrete depends on the condition of your cement slab and some other things. Slab heights and drainage are some of the other particulars.
Pavers and Concrete Patio Together
Just stumbled on this site and love it. The info is awesome!
Confused about mixing flagstone
I have a patio that I laid with 12 x 12 blocks, made on top to look like flagstone. The outline of the patio is square.
Sitting Wall/Sliding wall
Travertine Stone and Maintenance | Travertine Patio Travertine stone and pavers is a great choice for patios and pools. Maintenance is low and installing it is easy.
Landscapers and Pools
We are looking to build a patio and pool in our backyard and are just starting to ask landscapers/pool builders to give us quotes. New concrete slab step I recently added a screened porch to my house and also had an old cracked concrete slab replaced. Unfortunately, I now have a 7 inch drop from the slab ...
New Patio | Swimming Pool Decking
We have a question regarding a new patio and swimming pool decking.
Concrete Patio Design for House Resale
We are moving but need a concrete patio design/ideas for our house resale...to spruce up our patio area as our french doors open to a drop off.
Paver Patterns
We are having pavers put down on a new patio and walkway and are confused about paver patterns.
Patio Designs and Septic Systems
We are thinking about patio designs and septic systems..namely ours!
Concrete Pavers or Bluestone for Patio Design
I must tell you that your site is the best web site I have ever visited for complete information!! It is fantastic.
Slippery Travertine Stone
Acceptable Water Drainage
Travertine Freeze Thaw and Swimming Pool Decking
Waterfall Designs and Vinyl Liner Pools Is it possible to use waterfall designs and vinyl liner pools? We would like to do this but don't know if a waterfall will work with this type of pool ...
Landscape Design - what to start with first?
I have a back yard of sand.
Walkway Ideas For Front Yard With Brick House
Bluestone Joints on Concrete
I am wondering about bluestone joints on concrete. Cleaning Flagstone - How to Clean Flagstone Walkways and Patios There are a few ways cleaning flagstone can be done. Here are some of the methods to remove mold in shady conditions. Driveway Materials There are various driveway materials you can use that are both beautiful and durable. Travertine, tumbled bluestone and pavers are just some examples. Return From Patio Designs to Home Page
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Are you using it for family dining? Will you be entertaining quite a bit? 
the design, 45 degree angles may be used also.
in elevation from the house to existing grade. These elevated patios have walls, and steps are often required. The height of the 
