A traditional patio garden is a great British garden staple, perfect for adding interest to a garden and extending your living space, a well-designed patio area will be great for relaxing, entertaining, and spending time with the family.
If you’re starting from scratch, think carefully about design. Pick a spot which offers natural light, and is accessible from the house. Choose a durable flooring – pattern imprinted concrete patios are popular for their hardwearing nature and minimal maintenance needs, and are available in a range of colours and patterns. It’s also a good cost-effective option – try a gray, beige or soft peach, with colour mixed into the concrete for an attractive finish. Diagonal scoring can also look very good.
Decking is popular for its looks, but bear in mind it can become slippery in wet weather, and requires proper installing to keep weeds from popping up between the decks! Paving is another popular option, but as with a pattern imprinted concrete patio, it should be installed by professionals for the best finish.
Add plants and flowers around your patio in raised beds or rockeries, and put container plants around the patio – these can also be popped onto section dividers or hung from walls to provide great scent and colour. Get advice from a local nursery or friendly gardener on how to select plants that will work well and provide colour and life all year round.
Choose suitable furniture for your lifestyle. Outdoor sofas are wonderful if you’re guaranteed good weather or have a covering (or nearby emergency indoor space to move them too.) Plastic furniture is hardwearing, durable and can be fun and funky. Wood furniture is classic and lasts for many years if well preserved – just be careful of splinters or unfinished edges with small children. Avoid folding chairs or loungers if there are little ones about or you’re accident prone – they are one of the most common sources of domestic injuries!
Pick furniture of the right size – remember to leave space to move chairs in and out. If you’re likely to have a number of people eating and drinking together on the patio, a large table with an integrated parasol is a great option for summer (and showers!). If you’re just looking to enjoy a coffee and newspaper in a small space, try a cafe-style bistro table and metal chairs. These can be painted in bright enamel finishes to become a centrepiece.
Install a BBQ for cooking and a firepit for Winter and evening warmth. These are lovely social areas for gathering around – but best for older families, or patios where children can safely be kept away.
Finally have fun with traditional decorations. A wheelbarrow, watering can or old fashioned bath tub can make an attractive planter, as can old milk-pails and belfast sinks. Visit reclamation yards or antiques fairs, or buy replicas from DIY stores and garden nurseries. Add lanterns and solar lighting into borders and rockeries for a pretty night-time glow. Water features and ponds are wonderful alongside seating areas, for relaxing and watching nature at its finest.
Remember, Complete Driveway Designs have been operating for close to fifteen years! Should you wish to speak to a member of our team regarding your requirements, call the office today on 01706 827 180.