A patio can transform your home’s backyard into a living space where you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about mowing the lawn. But creating the perfect patio isn’t as simple as removing the grass and pouring in a concrete slab. A well-designed patio is an extension of your living space and should be sized to suit your lifestyle.
To determine the size of your patio, you’ll need to consider the furniture you plan on using, as well as any other amenities, like a wood-burning fire pit, that will be part of your design. Remember that people move chairs around, so you need to leave about 2 feet of space behind each seating area for circulation.
Also, don’t forget about drainage. A patio that doesn’t have an exit for rainwater will flood, leading to insect infestations and clogged planting beds. Typically, municipalities will only approve so much impervious surface (house, driveway, walkways, patio, air conditioner pad and lanai), so you’ll need to allow for at least 60 percent of the site to remain grass to prevent drainage problems.
To avoid the “kidney bean” patios that many landscape contractors put together, start by determining your clients’ lifestyle and what they want to do on their patio. This will help guide the design process and result in a functional, beautiful outdoor space. For example, do they love to entertain? If so, they might want multiple patio areas to accommodate dining and seating. Or do they plan to use their patio primarily for relaxation? Then a cozy, intimate seating nook might be in order.