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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. Size: Compact

Large and Small Patio Ideas and Designs

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Clementine House
Clementine House
Unique HomestaysUnique Homestays
Photo of a large country back patio in Essex.
Large Epping Garden with Pool
Large Epping Garden with Pool
Stephane Lustig Garden DesignStephane Lustig Garden Design
Uber cool gated development in Epping. Our brief was to redesign the space to the rear of the house. We sited the pool, specified some gorgeous Italian pool tiling, re-shaped the decking adding in curves to what was a very ordinary rectangular deck. Following on with the curves we added a sandstone paved area and within that a dining terrace with a chunky oak pergola to support pendant lighting over the new dining furniture. We used a drought tolerant planting scheme with a mediterranean palette. The exception to this was the addition of Hydrangea panniculata for those beautiful big white flowers in the summer. Rabbits were a big problem and plants were also selected with this in mind.
4th Street Townhouse, Park Slope
4th Street Townhouse, Park Slope
Harper Design BuildHarper Design Build
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in New York with natural stone paving and a pergola.
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.
Front Porch Farmhouse
Front Porch Farmhouse
Noble Classic HomesNoble Classic Homes
Inspiration for a large farmhouse front patio in Dallas with a potted garden, natural stone paving and a roof extension.
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.
Sky Residence
Sky Residence
Drawing Room Architect IncDrawing Room Architect Inc
This is an example of a large modern courtyard patio in Toronto with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slabs and no cover.
Fishhawk Ranch
Fishhawk Ranch
Ryan Hughes DesignRyan Hughes Design
The screened, open plan kitchen and media room offer space for family and friends to gather while delicious meals are prepared using the Fire Magic grill and Big Green Egg ceramic charcoal grill; drinks are kept cool in the refrigerator by Perlick. Plenty of room for everyone to comfortably relax on the sectional sofa by Patio Renaissance. The tile backsplash mirrors the fireplace’s brick face, providing visual continuity across the outdoor spaces.
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.
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.
A Relaxing Anytime Retreat
A Relaxing Anytime Retreat
Outdoor DreamsOutdoor Dreams
Photo of a large classic back patio in Richmond with a fireplace, concrete paving and a gazebo.
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.
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.
Contemporary Patio
Contemporary Patio
Design ideas for a small contemporary back patio in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone paving and a pergola.
Mustang Park, Carrollton
Mustang Park, Carrollton
AquaTerra OutdoorsAquaTerra Outdoors
AquaTerra Outdoors was hired to bring life to the outdoors of the new home. When it came time to design the space we were challenged with the tight space of the backyard. We worked through the concepts and we were able to incorporate a new pool with spa, custom water feature wall, Ipe wood deck, outdoor kitchen, custom steel and Ipe wood shade arbor and fire pit. We also designed and installed all the landscaping including the custom steel planter. Photography: Wade Griffith
West Coast English Retreat
West Coast English Retreat
Tierra Madre Fine GardensTierra Madre Fine Gardens
Photo by Samantha Robison
Design ideas for a small classic back patio in Other with natural stone paving, a pergola and fencing.
2015 Junio
2015 Junio
Alejandro C. - Fotografia de InterioresAlejandro C. - Fotografia de Interiores
This is an example of a large country back patio in Malaga with tiled flooring and a pergola.
Entertaining Space
Entertaining Space
Susan Cohan GardensSusan Cohan Gardens
Custom trellis stained Benjamin Moore Yorktowne Green HC-133 are supports for espaliered apple trees and a backdrop for a small deer resistant perennial bed.
Villa à Toulon
Villa à Toulon
KAST DESIGNKAST DESIGN
Inspiration for a large coastal side patio in Paris with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slabs and a pergola.
Sammamish Outdoor Living and Backyard Makeover
Sammamish Outdoor Living and Backyard Makeover
Urban Oasis Design & Construction LLCUrban Oasis Design & Construction LLC
Photo of a large traditional back patio in Seattle with a fire feature, concrete slabs and no cover.

Large and Small 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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