Scope

 
A nice beginning point will be to undertake a site assessment & analysis of the client needs & user requirements. The adage ‘don’t fire a canon to kill a fly’, comes to mind, therefore from the beginning it is important to choose the scope, i.e., how will the area(s) be used, by whom, how plenty of users & when do these needs arise. Scope can also influence patio layout/profile & indeed levels, & these aspects are important factors to be thought about in developing a creative but distinctive patio layout.

 
Position

 
Some of the earlier questions might be obvious, but how plenty of times have they seen patios which are tiny or worse are poorly positioned for the event? sunny or more likely shaded & chilled when being used? Put basically if the main activity & time of day is around ‘lunch events’ then it would be obvious that the patio position ought to reflect this need. It is important to note site characteristics, all level might be fine for plenty of people but some might be challenged by variable levels. The latter may even be exploited in the design & layout. Site orientation including the direction of sun travel ought to be noted as well as the positions of the sunny but also the shaded areas & the relevant times. Again this will be important for planning the various patio areas for breakfast, lunch & evening/dinner activities. Often space availability (or lack of) & site orientation do often impinge on patio positioning options. Usually patios are used more in evenings & are therefore positioned away from the house so as to catch the evening sun. In order cases, some very blessed users may have separate patios & thus optimum positioning options for sun and/or shade.

 
Size

 
An area to sit, read & eat will have different space needs. Tiny sites do limit options, access routes can also influence size. tiny & the area will appear cramp, unappealing & probably unusable. sizable & perhaps ‘car park look’ comes to mind. Getting the balance right will be influenced by a considerable number of factors scope, space availability etc. As a general guide, they would recommend that the maximum airspace/footprint ought to be 3.0 metre/10 feet, but with space availability permitting a better layout would be in the range 4.5m-5.0m/15-16 feet. This area allows for adults to sit comfortably at tables or later stretch the legs without fear of walking out of space. In smaller sites, which may necessitate the use of compact but round tables, usually maximum diameters would be 3.0m/10feet, but these are tiny spaces for 4-6 adults.

 
Therefore for groups comprising 4-6 adults, the practical size requirements for the main patio area would be approx 4.5m x 5.0m or 15ft x 16ft. Clearly reading areas or casual /alfresco areas will need much less space. Access routes ought to be a maximum of 1.2m-1.5m /4-5 feet wide. There is small point building pedestrian routes/pathways 3.0m/10feet wide? Better to reduce the paved space & space gained utilise for additional planting/lawn/features?

 
Transition

 
One often (very popular with designers/architects) comes across the expression ‘seamless transition’. What does this expression mean? Fundamentally this refers to the physical extension of the inside area to the outside space, in which one leads from the former to the latter. In otherwords the garden or ‘outdoor room’ appears as an integral part of the house. To exit the inside & enter the outside space ideally on same level, continuity of colour & textures, no steps & an open aspect or view to the garden area. The traditional Frenchstyle patio doors opening out to a patio area with panoramic garden views comes to mind! Incorporating planted beds within the patio areas & also against the house walls not only contributes to achieving a seamless transition but & a way more attractive patio area that is more integrated within garden but probably a more cost effective utilisation of available space. What ought to be avoided at all costs, is where the patio area is basically a buffer zone stretching the width of the site & a simple division between house & garden.

 
Construction

 
There is an increasing but sizable range of patio materials from which to select. The distinctive characteristics & appeal of natural paving stone is very popular, with sandstone, granite, & limestone being the most popular. Colour, size & orientation ought to even be carefully thought about within the general preferred garden style. For example, warm earthy sandstone tones might appeal or be more compatible with traditional Victorian/Mixed Border style Herbaceous gardens, but the light or neutral tones of granite paving might be stunning in more contemporary or minimalist gardens. The paving patterns can also influence the general look, tiny complex patterns might be ideal for ‘townhouse gardens’ but appear fussy in larger sites. Sizable rectangular slabs can be laid to emphasise the width or turned around to stretch the length. The slab size must also conform to design style, a traditional layout for a bigger area might involve a random joint incorporating 4 or more sizes of paving slab. A contemporary layout might be one size laid in a staggered or ‘soldier course’.

 
Texture

 
Where feasible try & introduce texture, ideally in various forms of the primary material. For example, in case you are planning on constructing a patio with sandstone, do think about using sandstone risers for steps but also sandstone setts for lawn edging & sandstone chippings for borders & trims. Not only will this provide fascinating textural contrasts but a more co-ordinated effect. Whereas some might prefer the visual contrast of mixing apples with oranges, I would much prefer a more coherent appearance of one material & use layout to reflect functionality but also visual contrast.

 
Obstacles

 
In plenty of cases there is no scope to reposition/remove ugly utilities such as rainwater downpipes, gulleys, manholes, inspection chambers etc. But the presence of plenty of of these ugly necessities can be disguised or concealed by design. Recess frames are excellent to conceal covers but provide simple access to wastewater, & integrated planted beds can be positioned to conceal pipework etc.

 
Finally the ideal patio is an integrated space that requires cautious & artistic planning but must even be well constructed if maximum enjoyment is to be realised.