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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. Space Location: Side Garden

Back and Side Patio Ideas and Designs

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Clementine House
Clementine House
Unique HomestaysUnique Homestays
Photo of a large country back patio in Essex.
The Fuchsia House
The Fuchsia House
Westbury Garden RoomsWestbury Garden Rooms
This is an example of a classic back patio in Essex with a fire feature and no cover.
The Goat Shed - Devon
The Goat Shed - Devon
TFQ ArchitectsTFQ Architects
The Goat Shed - Devon. We designed this outdoor space to be a beautiful spot to enjoy the sunshine on a secluded and private area whilst making the most of the the sweeping slope of the back lawn. The wicker furniture ties perfectly with the composite cladding and stone finish on the building.
Suburban Calm
Suburban Calm
Simon Orchard Garden DesignSimon Orchard Garden Design
This is an example of a classic back patio in London.
Outdoor kitchen in Oxshott, Surrey
Outdoor kitchen in Oxshott, Surrey
Grillo Outdoor KitchensGrillo Outdoor Kitchens
Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say. And what a dream; this is the acme of a Surrey suburban townhouse garden. The team behind the teamwork of this masterpiece in Oxshott, Surrey, are Raine Garden Design Ltd, Bushy Business Ltd, Hampshire Garden Lighting, and Forest Eyes Photography. Everywhere you look, some new artful detail demonstrating their collective expertise hits you. The beautiful and tasteful selection of materials. The very mature, regimented pleached beech hedge. The harmoniousness of the zoning; tidy yet so varied and interesting. The ancient olive, dating back to the reign of Victoria. The warmth and depth afforded by the layered lighting. The seamless extension of the Home from inside to out; because in this dream, the garden is Home as much as the house is.
Contemporary courtyard
Contemporary courtyard
SeedOnceSown LtdSeedOnceSown Ltd
This is an example of a contemporary back patio in London with tiled flooring and no cover.
Arnos Grove Garden Apartment
Arnos Grove Garden Apartment
VORBILD ArchitectureVORBILD Architecture
Medium sized contemporary back patio in London with natural stone paving.
Entertaining with style
Entertaining with style
Kane Landscapes IncKane Landscapes Inc
The pool house was designed to provide a respite from the hot sun during the day as well as a wonderful place to enjoy a drink and a cozy fire in the evening.
Torrant Residence
Torrant Residence
Alleanza Custom HomesAlleanza Custom Homes
Photo of a large traditional back patio in Houston with an outdoor kitchen, tiled flooring and a roof extension.
Outdoor Kitchen Photos
Outdoor Kitchen Photos
Irwin OutdoorsIrwin Outdoors
Inspiration for a medium sized traditional back patio in Tampa with an outdoor kitchen, concrete paving and a gazebo.
Outdoor entertaining and living space
Outdoor entertaining and living space
Poul's Landscaping & Nursery, Inc.Poul's Landscaping & Nursery, Inc.
Large contemporary back patio in Chicago with a fire feature, concrete paving and a pergola.
Recent Projects
Recent Projects
Phoenix Patio Systems (Patio Partners)Phoenix Patio Systems (Patio Partners)
Inspiration for a medium sized classic back patio in Phoenix with a roof extension.
Hillway San Carlos | Master Bedroom Addition + Outdoor Kitchen Plans
Hillway San Carlos | Master Bedroom Addition + Outdoor Kitchen Plans
Plan A Design GroupPlan A Design Group
This is an example of a large traditional back patio in San Francisco with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and a gazebo.
Walkerville
Walkerville
ArborCrestArborCrest
This is an example of a medium sized modern back patio in Adelaide with natural stone paving, an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.
Outdoor BBQ islands
Outdoor BBQ islands
Diamond K Woodworks LLCDiamond K Woodworks LLC
This is an example of a medium sized rural back patio in San Francisco with decking and a pergola.
The Woodland Trail
The Woodland Trail
Nature's Choice Landscape ConstructionNature's Choice Landscape Construction
Lisa Petrole Photography
Photo of a medium sized classic back patio in Toronto with a fire feature, concrete paving and no cover.
Casa SC
Casa SC
Bernardo Pozas Residential DesignBernardo Pozas Residential Design
This is an example of a large contemporary back patio in Austin with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slabs and a roof extension.
Transitional Patio
Transitional Patio
Traditional back patio in Boston with natural stone paving.
Standing Seam @ Marsh Landing (private residence)
Standing Seam @ Marsh Landing (private residence)
First Coast ShadeFirst Coast Shade
Custom designed and fabricated "standing seam" metal awning gives this home a modern look.
Small traditional back patio in Jacksonville with an awning.
In harmony with nature
In harmony with nature
NEFERTARYNEFERTARY
Photo of an urban back patio in Denver with a fireplace, concrete paving and a roof extension.

Back and Side Patio Ideas and Designs

Patios are the go-to solution for turning your garden, or part of it, into an outdoor living area. A well-laid patio will integrate your home seamlessly into your garden, providing a solid and level surface for garden furniture and potted plants. Well designed patios are about more than just paving slabs – its positioning and layout are crucial to how much you enjoy this space. Before you start picking out patio ideas for materials and laying your patio, ask yourself important questions such as what will you use it for? How many people should it accommodate? Which part of your garden has the best aspect and sunlight? Will the patio have enough privacy?

How should I position my patio?

If you are designing your patio as a space for entertaining then make sure it’s wide enough for the garden furniture you want so you haven’t got guests tipping over into the flowerbeds. Don’t be wedded to the idea of having your patio attached to the house; think about positioning yours elsewhere in the garden if that space doesn’t offer the best aspect or lighting position. Consider the position of the sun through the course of the day and depending on whether you are most likely to want to dine outside at breakfast, have lunch on your patio or host dinner outside, you may want to position your patio differently. You can connect patios to your house with a footpath or stepping stones to allow easy transportation of food and drink.

How should I design and lay my patio?

Rectangles are the classic shape for patios, not least because they make the most efficient use of space and can be softened with garden edging. However, a rounded patio or a paving circle can perfectly complement a garden which isn’t linear in design. Paving slabs come in an extensive range of materials and are the most practical surface for patios. Yorkstone has the most traditional appeal, whereas concrete blocks, granite and slate patio slabs have a great texture and colour for modern gardens. Natural stones such as limestone, travertine and Indian sandstone vary in colour and finish and are a great way to add shade and texture to your patio. For some patio ideas that offer an alternative to block paving, loose material such as crushed stone and wood chippings have a rustic and more casual feel; if there are specific materials that re-occur elsewhere in the garden, you could repeat this in your choice of patio materials for consistency. Finally, it’s not a British summer without the great British barbeque, so look at patio ideas that incorporate barbeques and think about how you could accommodate one on your patio.

What garden furniture does my patio need?

Rattan garden furniture is a patio favourite, offering a durable, attractive finish that blends well into natural surroundings. Metal garden furniture and wooden garden furniture are sturdy alternatives available in many styles. Weight is a good feature in garden furniture to stop it from being blown away, but if you want to be able to move your furniture around the patio and garden to follow the sun you won’t want to go too heavy. Browse the various patio ideas that include garden furniture to see what styles of furniture go with different types of patios. If you find a particular patio set you like, you may be able to ask the designer where the furniture is from so you can look at buying the same set for your patio. Good, outdoor patio furniture crafted in high-quality materials should withstand bad weather, but cold, wet British winters followed by strong sun in the summer will be enough to weather even the best furniture, so it’s important to have somewhere, such as a shed, to store it when not in use for long periods of time. If you don’t have the space to store patio furniture, make sure that at least the cushions and umbrellas are stowed away out of the elements, and consider investing in a waterproof cover. One piece of furniture that might be able to stay out for a bit longer is a patio heater; it will warm any brave patio users and most modern designs are built to survive the cold weather. If you prefer something a bit more rustic than a patio heater, look at fire pits instead which will add warmth and an attractive centrepiece to your patio. If privacy or shade is an issue, then covering patio furniture with a parasol or sheltering patios with a gazebo or pergola are both smart patio ideas – these can be covered in climbing flowers or even wound with outdoor fairy lights for romantic evening lighting.
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