The Patio
The patio has become a must for every family. Here we do our entertaining on fine summer days and evenings or have breakfast on a fine sunny morning. The patio needs careful designing and it should be an attractive feature in its own right, but also blend in with the house and garden.
The patio is often used as an extra ‘room’, especially in the summer months – it is an extension to the home with a good view of the garden. If your patio is in shade for most of the day or exposed to the winds consider moving it away from the house to gain shelter or sun. There is no 11th commandment that says the patio has to be adjacent to the house. Choose a spot where you have privacy and a good view of the garden.
Most patios seem to be rectangular, following the lines of the house. However, you might want to choose a circular or semi-circular shape in order to fit in with the rest of your garden design. You could also set the patio at an angle to the house, this works particularly well on a corner of the house.
You need to set the patio boundaries and might want to consider a low wall with a planting cavity to soften the hard line between paving and wall. Although high walls are not normally a feature of the patio, these can be useful as windbreak or screen for extra privacy. A screen block wall would be more suitable than a solid one and planting shrubs in front of it would soften the impact and help to filter the wind.
If the garden slopes towards the house a change of level turns the patio into a feature. Shallow steps work well and act like a doorway into the rest of the garden. If your garden slopes away from the house you might want to consider a raised patio, thereby creating a terrace which is an excellent vantage point to view the rest of the garden.
Paving materials for the patio are largely a matter of individual taste. Choose any combination of materials that is appropriate for the setting. If the patio is close to the house choose bricks or paving that match those of the house.
The final look of the patio is determined by the finishing touches. A pergola gives the patio an enclosed, integrated appearance and make it very much part of the house. Growing climbers over the pergola will provide cool shade and look beautiful. Grapevines are excellent for climbing over pergolas and as their leaves fall in the autumn you will still be able to enjoy the winter sun.
You might want to consider a built-in barbecue which again reinforces the concept of the extra room. Also, built in seats scattered with bright cushions will turn the patio into a wonderful space for all the family to enjoy.
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