| In the past a patio was just a patio; a concrete slab | | | | plan on entertaining, you may consider seating walls |
| at the rear entrance of your home with just enough | | | | around portions of your patio for overflow seating or |
| space to put a patio table and maybe a small BBQ | | | | an outdoor bar. If you have children you may want |
| grill. The terms "Outdoor Living Space" or "Outdoor | | | | to invest in a fire pit area, either a portable or built-in. |
| Rooms" weren't even heard of and the only people | | | | These are great to spend quality time with your |
| that had these types of outdoor spaces were the | | | | children. Do you like to grill out? Perhaps adding a BBQ |
| rich and famous. Today, with the demand for | | | | grill station or outdoor kitchen might be a nice |
| homeowners wanting to spend more time outdoors | | | | addition. However you choose to use your patio, you |
| these terms have become more a part of daily life. | | | | need to convey these uses to your designer so they |
| This demand has not only forced landscape | | | | can incorporate them into the patio design. Make sure |
| contractors to be more creative with their designs, | | | | your designer draws your patio design to an |
| but has created an industry within itself. All of your | | | | identifiable scale. Have them draw in your patio |
| big box stores are catering to this industry with patio | | | | furniture and accessories so you can get an idea if, |
| furniture, stainless steel grills, pre-built grill stations, | | | | and how, they will fit on your patio. These questions |
| portable fire pits and it is not unusual to see | | | | will help you decide what size of patio you need to |
| contractors who specialize or only design and install | | | | install. Remember, bigger doesn't mean more |
| patios. | | | | functional. Also, keep in mind, if your wants exceed |
| Due to the increasing popularity of brick paving stone | | | | your budget, using brick or concrete patio pavers will |
| or "pavers", homeowners are no longer satisfied with | | | | allow you to seamlessly add on later. |
| the standard rectangle concrete slab. Pavers allow | | | | "What do I want my patio to look like?" This is |
| patio designers to be much more creative in | | | | another important piece of the puzzle and one that |
| implementing you patio ideas. They can utilize radial | | | | you should also spend time with. A good patio |
| and circular designs, different patterns, borders and | | | | designer will integrate your uses into a pleasing |
| colors. Also, the introduction of patio block has | | | | design. One that will accentuate certain features of |
| changed the way patios are designed and used. Each | | | | your home while expanding your personality to the |
| manufacturer has a different name for them, but in a | | | | outside. The most difficult part of a patio design idea |
| "nut shell" they are stackable blocks that can be used | | | | is the marriage between functionality and aesthetics. |
| to create seating walls, columns, grill stations, outdoor | | | | Brick and concrete patio pavers give you a lot of |
| bars and kitchens. If you can imagine it, you can build | | | | design flexibility. Radial designs typically will soften |
| it with these blocks. | | | | corners and create interesting curves. Square and |
| If you're looking for a nice patio; one that you can | | | | rectangle patio designs, whether parallel with the |
| not only show off, but also one you can use; there | | | | house or on a 45 degree angle, are used to |
| are several guidelines to follow to improve your | | | | accentuate dimensional features of a home. Using |
| chances of success. There are three questions that | | | | different colors and/or styles of pavers in different |
| you should ask yourself. If you answer these | | | | areas will help define space on your patio. For |
| questions honestly you will be able to create a patio | | | | example, a circle pattern may define a fire pit area. |
| design that is not only functional, but also beautiful. | | | | "Do your homework!" The more time you invest at |
| "What is my budget?" Some homeowners feel that | | | | the front end of your patio project, the easier and |
| this is a loaded question, but it is one that a good | | | | more enjoyable the installation will be. Spending a few |
| contractor will ask and one that needs to be | | | | hundred dollars on a formal design may end up saving |
| addressed. It should be asked, not to prequalify you | | | | you several thousand dollars and aggravation. There |
| as a potential customer or to run the price up, but to | | | | are also websites with large libraries of pre-designed |
| bring the project into perspective. As a homeowner, | | | | patios that you can browse and purchase for a |
| you should not be afraid to tell your contractor your | | | | fraction of the cost of a custom design. They |
| budget. A good contractor's price is his price and he | | | | typically provide you with additional information such |
| will design to your budget. | | | | as; material list, color palettes and product details, |
| "How will I use my patio?" Other than budget this is | | | | helpful installation tips and how to's. |
| the most important question to ask yourself. If you | | | | Remember, do your homework and enjoy your patio! |