15 Perfect Patio Designs (2024)

FAQs

How do I plan a patio layout? ›

Rectangular patios are among the most popular and easy to build or design. You can use them for numerous purposes because they are versatile. Like rectangle patios, square patios are popular and easy to design or build. Homeowners who want a symmetrical appearance can go for this patio.

Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget.

We recommend a minimum of 25 square feet per person. So, if you plan to host 15 people- plan for a space around 375 sq. ft. We recommend a patio around 550 square feet for comfortable entertaining.

Typically, however, a patio is about one third the size of the house – larger perhaps than any room in the home. A 1,500 square foot house, for example might sport a 500 square foot patio, one perhaps measuring 20 by 25 feet. A good balance between the size of the house and the patio will create harmony.

Bricks and concrete pavers are the easiest patio materials to use because they have a uniform shape and create a relatively flat surface.

The best material for patios is paver. The different types of pavers are concrete, clay brick, and natural stone. It's the best patio material due to its strength, ease of repair, and material options.

As a general rule, having a patio sub-base depth of 100mm is considered to be a good standard layer. Some may say that you can get away with a slightly thinner layer if you're installing a light patio, but we'd always recommend going for 100mm to create a sturdier foundation.

As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete.

Building a patio is typically far less costly than building a deck, costing around half as much on average for labor and materials. On top of that, many deck materials require regular power washing and sealing to maintain their beauty and structural integrity, which adds more maintenance costs over its life span.

Can you lay pavers directly on dirt? ›

Lots of questions come up regarding how to lay pavers on dirt, however, it is not recommended to lay pavers directly on dirt or any unprepared ground. In order for pavers to look and perform their best in a permanent situation, the ground needs to be levelled, excavated and hard compacted.

That said, it's estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%. A better option for most homeowners, however, would be to refinish or repair an existing patio, as repair estimates average around $1,400. This can provide an ROI of nearly 500%.

Is a 12x12 patio big enough? For many people, a 12-by-12-foot patio is plenty big. This size still allows for a dining table to sit four to eight people, with a bit of room to spare. You could always use more room, of course, but it depends on if you have it.

The simplest way to design a patio that suits your needs exactly is to draw it out to scale. That way, you can plan in patio planting ideas such as beds, borders and pot positions right from the start, and even factor in space for any outdoor kitchen ideas you may have.

The Shape of Your Patio

Any nearby natural boulders can be incorporated into the design for a natural look. A rectangle shape made of cut flagstone, brick or paving stones will lend a formal, symmetrical look to your home while a curvaceous circular shape will give it a more casual feel.

If you have a square or rectangular patio then calculating its area is quite a straightforward job. You simply need to measure the width and length of the area that you're looking to pave and multiply the two numbers together. This will then give you your area to pave.

Using a spade, dig out the chosen area to about 6 inches (150mm) and level it. Lay road base/hardcore to a compacted depth of 2 inches (50mm), then repeat to create a 4 inch (100mm) sub base. On top, lay a 2 inch (50mm) layer of sharp sand. The patio slabs should then be laid, leaving a small gap between them.