How to Add Patios and Pavement to Your Garden

By Jane Grimshaw

During the warm summer months, your garden can become an extension of your house, increasing your living area so you are able to make the most of the good weather. This can be enhanced by the addition of a patio area with adjoining paths, which makes the surface area hardwearing and more suitable for tables and chairs.

Patio areas can be constructed from so many different materials; you only have to look around your local garden center, brickyard, or stone yard to see how many ideas you have to choose from. You can choose from a number of materials such as, irregular flagstones, uniformly cut stone, gravel, bricks tiles and wood - you can even use a selection of different materials.

Before you begin, there are a number of points to consider first:

1. Before you begin any planning, make sure your garden is free from any clutter - store tools and supplies away, throw things out, whatever it takes.
2. Always keep an open mind. On a blank sheet of paper, make a scale drawing of your available space. Then consider what you actually want to use the areas for - eating out in the evening, play area for the children, an area close to the kitchen or in close proximity to electric outlets, etc.
3. Never assume that a patio has to be next to the house; it could be at the other end of the garden with a connecting path. You may decide to have one at the top and the bottom, or even at the side.
4. Consider the natural lighting. Where will the sun be at different times of the day? Will you require some partial shade on one side of the patio, or will you want it in full sun as much as possible?
5. What shape and size would you like it to be? Don't construct something that is too big for the garden, as it destroys the scale in small gardens. If you are adding paths, how wide do you want them to be?
6. Choose a design that enhances the garden, rather than one that is too busy and distracting.
7. Consider whether you would like a modern style, or something with an older, more rustic feel to it - this depends very much on the style and design of your house.
8. Think about the surface, depending on what you want to use it for - will it stain or mark easily and be easy enough to maintain?
9. Think about color schemes, particularly if you are considering using two or more materials together. Will you want any flowerbeds in your patio to add extra color and dimension?
10. If you only have a backyard, you will need to plan the whole area more carefully to make sure you have enough available space for your requirements.

Before carrying out any paving work, make sure you get some expert advice first or get an expert in to do it for you - if your paved areas are badly laid in the first place, you will certainly not end up with the beautiful, long lasting outdoor area you had hoped for. A well-laid patio and/or paths will not only enhance your property, but will add value to the price of it too; so careful planning is certainly well worth the effort.

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