Patio Dilemma
jennarifkin
6 years ago
Hello, we have renovated/extended our house in a contemporary style. This spring/summer we want to put in a patio (currently we are using death trap wooden pallets to get down to the garden from the bifold!).
We have a 5 panel bifold door which leads out to the garden and though we've looked at ideas (curved patio with steps down on all angels, straight with glass etc) it's just not sitting right. We want something that ties in with the garden and the house and complements the modern style whilst being functional. We also want it to tie in from the house into the garden but without destroying the garden. We are at peace with removing part of the flowerbed on the left.
Please help with suggestions, solutions, ideas!
Many thanks.
We have a 5 panel bifold door which leads out to the garden and though we've looked at ideas (curved patio with steps down on all angels, straight with glass etc) it's just not sitting right. We want something that ties in with the garden and the house and complements the modern style whilst being functional. We also want it to tie in from the house into the garden but without destroying the garden. We are at peace with removing part of the flowerbed on the left.
Please help with suggestions, solutions, ideas!
Many thanks.
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Comments (28)
Jonathan
6 years ago
PROMarina Drobot at Cinnamon Space
6 years agoCould you add a plan with some measurements? You could integrate some patio stones with existing landscape and add some interest. Some alpine, climbers to make the patio feel as one with the garden. Some ideas that could suite your house:
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Comments (14)I would agree with pannacotta and take out the blue spruce. I would then get someone in to take everything out - the shed, the pond, the narrow path, the lawn, the odd sleeper demarcation across the garden and the gravel. You will then have a clearer picture of your space. With the conifer removed there will be a large space at the far end of the garden, and it will no longer suck the water from the garden. Perhaps include some pleached hornbeam trees on the right and at the far end to make the garden feel more private, yet allow filtered light in to your garden. You have a wall at the far end, which is a great feature. It looks like the entire garden is enclosed, which is great from a safety point of view for the children. A garden building/office is a great addition, but it can become a storage place. Before buying one, really way up the pros and cons of having one. I am designing a family garden at the moment with a garden office towards the rear, but the father works from home and really needs his own space - however, it will double up as a TV room/den for the kids at night. Work out the actual size of building you actually need, rather than just putting one in to fill the space. If the orientation is correct the right hand side gets most sun. I would, as suggested put pleached hornbeam trees along the run, and have a path to one side, along this run, perhaps with a dog-leg at the far end. The path would be in the sun most of the day and would stay clearer from moss, etc. You could incorporate an off-set pergola above a section of the path perhaps positioned towards the centre of the length of the path and climb evergreen clematis or hydrangea petiolaris - this will also assist with blocking out the building behind when seated lower and closer to the house. Perhaps split the garden then in to 3 zones: zone 1 close to the house becomes a paved seating/entertaining space; zone 2 is the centre of the garden, which would be the children's turfed play area, and then zone 3 at the far end either becomes a building or a hidden seated area for grown-ups with well-designed planting around it and a pergola attached to the wall to offer privacy and shade. You could even have a long table and benches for al-fresco dining, under a canopy of sweet smelling jasmine and roses. With good lighting, this space could be an enticing area. The Edwardian/Victorian façade of the house makes me think of a family cottage garden with a contemporary twist (with veggies and cut flowers grown together). Flowering shrubs, bulbs and perennials will help to soften the walls (but remember, the walls can be a great feature in themselves). This may sound like a lot of upkeep, but with the right choice of plants you only need to spend c. 1 hour a week to keep on top of things (a little more in the winter to tidy things up (but not too tidy, i.e. leave flower seedheads and grasses for winter interest)). But remember to keep planting close to the house low with the line of sight from indoors to outdoors, so that you can keep an eye on the children. This is a great space to have. Have fun and enjoy it....See MoreHelp with kitchen and patio flooring dilemma
Comments (4)We've just had the same dilemma, we also have underfloor heating. We've decided to go with grey wood effect porcelain tiles which can be used inside and out. Apart from concrete, porcelain seemed to be the only option we found. I've been told they are very difficult to damage, although obviously not impossible, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have ceramic tiles in my utility room and they have been cracked twice but the porcelain tiles in my bathroom have been fine despite a few bottles being dropped on them....See MorePatio tiling dilemma
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Comments (3)Do you mean pebble mosaic? I have thought of doing some craft project but I am not sure if I would want to do a scale of 50m2. I like the idea but ideally I want a smooth or slightly riven surface for practicality especially where the garden table and chairs will be. The 1st patio will become a chilling area with garden sofa and Outdoor BBQ kitchen. I was thinking blue/black slate flooring to recall the blue/black bricks on the planters and pond but I am worried that the dark floor will overpower the effect....See Morejennarifkin
6 years agojennarifkin
6 years ago
PROThe London Tile Co.
6 years agoEllie
6 years agoEllie
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agosteve3122
6 years agoantonygeo
6 years ago- PRO
Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space
6 years agoDepending on the sun direction, you could have a modern dark wood patio with steel and dark wood (to tie with the style of the house)and a barbecue station and a garden dining table with chairs. Further down the garden where the furniture on one of the pictures you could have a small brick (same colour as the house) round patio area with a fire feature or fire pit and some chairs for entertainment. You could put a parasol there or install more permanent pergola with some climbers. Upload some measurements and will draw a plan.
- PRO
Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space
6 years agoYou could also add some wildlife friendly plants, hedgehog and insect hotels further down the garden.
antonygeo
6 years agoIm going through the same dilema, ive decided to go for patio level with inside floor and built in bench in the corner like picture. The inside i have real oak flooring but outside ive found authentic looking polished concrete porcelain tiles 100x150cm in dark grey simmilar to bifolds.
I got idea on the bench from pic attached.
- PRO
PROStone Age
6 years ago
PROOnePlan
6 years agoredkez78
6 years agoajhodes
6 years agoWe had a similar issue. Kept it simple with a partially raised deck with flower beds for separation rather than rails.
turquoisetree53
6 years agojennarifkin
6 years agojennarifkin
6 years ago
Chris Goodchild
6 years ago- PRO
Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoTo redkez78: those pictures are from Houzz Muswell Hill project.
House Extension- Muswell Hill · More Info - PRO
Julie C
4 years ago
Becky O