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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
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Small World-Inspired Patio Ideas and Designs

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The Cotton Tree
The Cotton Tree
Unique HomestaysUnique Homestays
Unique Home Stays
Photo of a small world-inspired back patio in Cornwall with decking and a pergola.
Kalorama Contemporary
Kalorama Contemporary
Horn & Co. (Previously JHLA)Horn & Co. (Previously JHLA)
Our clients on this project were inspired by their travels to Asia and wanted to mimic this aesthetic at their DC property. We designed a water feature that effectively masks adjacent traffic noise and maintains a small footprint.
Urban Frenzy
Urban Frenzy
KD LandscapeKD Landscape
The loveseat and pergola provide a shady resting spot behind the garage in this city garden.
Design ideas for a small world-inspired back patio in Chicago with a potted garden, brick paving and a pergola.
Tropical Pavillion Home
Tropical Pavillion Home
Maxa ConstructionsMaxa Constructions
Photo of a small world-inspired back patio in Cairns with an outdoor shower, concrete slabs and a roof extension.
Tropical Outdoor Living
Tropical Outdoor Living
Scenic LandscapingScenic Landscaping
Raised planting bed with shelf serves as outdoor bar seating
Design ideas for a small world-inspired back patio in New York with an outdoor kitchen and natural stone paving.
San Luis Obispo Woodland Garden
San Luis Obispo Woodland Garden
Erik Jones LandscapingErik Jones Landscaping
Backyard patio with large flagstone pieces. Irish moss, blue star creeper, scotch moss, and mini mondo grass are a few of the plants growing between the stones. This yard has over 60 Japanese Maples and lots of ferns and other shade plants Erik Jones
Contemporary Exterior Remodel - Vancouver Wa
Contemporary Exterior Remodel - Vancouver Wa
Kashas Design | BuildKashas Design | Build
Photo of a small world-inspired back patio in Portland with a potted garden, concrete paving and a pergola.
Los Gatos Courtyard Escape
Los Gatos Courtyard Escape
Confidence Landscaping, Inc.Confidence Landscaping, Inc.
Contained in a small courtyard, this intimate garden includes a full sized lounge chair along with an outdoor shower and full bath. The Herbert S. Frank Special Award recognizes exceptional design, unique use of materials and quality of construction in a residential landscape. Granted at the discretion of the California Landscape Contractors Association judges, this award is not necessarily given each year at the Trophy Awards event. In 2014, Confidence Landscaping, Inc. earned this important honor that carries the highly respected name of one of the founding members of the CLCA - San Francisco Bay Area chapter.
Outdoor Modern Two-Sided Fireplace
Outdoor Modern Two-Sided Fireplace
Poolside Gardens, Inc.Poolside Gardens, Inc.
Small world-inspired back patio in Los Angeles with a fire feature, a roof extension and concrete slabs.
Quiet Backyard Retreat
Quiet Backyard Retreat
JDLA Landscape Architecture Inc.JDLA Landscape Architecture Inc.
Inspiration for a small world-inspired courtyard patio in Miami with a water feature, natural stone paving and a pergola.
Outdoor ponds
Outdoor ponds
GreenSeasonsGreenSeasons
Small world-inspired back patio in New Orleans with a water feature, concrete slabs and no cover.
Evergreen Terrace
Evergreen Terrace
The London Gardener LtdThe London Gardener Ltd
North facing terrace designed with lush evergreen planting. Very little maintenance required to keep this garden looking fantastic. The terrace is used for entertaining all year round as an outdoor room.
Small rental balcony makeover on a budget
Small rental balcony makeover on a budget
Engineer Your SpaceEngineer Your Space
Isabelle LaRue
Small world-inspired patio in Los Angeles with a roof extension.
Garden rooms, Sunrooms & Patios
Garden rooms, Sunrooms & Patios
Susan Mackenzie InteriorsSusan Mackenzie Interiors
Susan Mackenzie
This is an example of a small world-inspired front patio in Portland with brick paving and no cover.
Resale Condominium (Double Bay)
Resale Condominium (Double Bay)
The Local INN.terior Pte. Ltd.The Local INN.terior Pte. Ltd.
Design ideas for a small world-inspired back patio in Singapore with a potted garden and a roof extension.
Fiberon Composite Decking
Fiberon Composite Decking
Fiberon DeckingFiberon Decking
An Asian-inspired courtyard walkway features Fiberon composite decking and is flanked with white stone gravel, walk-way lighting, a bamboo container garden, and bench seating, which was built from the same composite deck board material. The main walk-way features Fiberon's newest Symmetry Collection decking in 'Burnt Umber'. The border is Fiberon Horizon decking in 'Tudor Brown'. Visit www.fiberondecking.com
Inspired by a Turtle's Shell
Inspired by a Turtle's Shell
Ecoscape Environmental DesignEcoscape Environmental Design
The backyard of this brick home on University Hill in Boulder was in need of renovation to bring together awkward angles, window wells, and uneven surfaces. This tight space was not inviting and rarely used. The homeowners were inspired by turtle shells and desired bamboo plants for their Asian aesthetic. Clean lines and light creams have replaced the mix-mosh of haphazard stones and unset redstone pavers. Now the space feels intentionally designed and welcoming.
Contemporary Exterior Remodel - Vancouver Wa
Contemporary Exterior Remodel - Vancouver Wa
Kashas Design | BuildKashas Design | Build
Design ideas for a small world-inspired front patio in Portland with a living wall, concrete paving and a pergola.
Beautiful Bluestone Patio
Beautiful Bluestone Patio
Krugel Cobbles, Inc.Krugel Cobbles, Inc.
Landscape Architect: Stephen Prassas, RLA; Photography: Linda Oyama Bryan
Inspiration for a small world-inspired back patio in Chicago with natural stone paving.
Quiet Backyard Retreat
Quiet Backyard Retreat
JDLA Landscape Architecture Inc.JDLA Landscape Architecture Inc.
Small world-inspired courtyard patio in Miami with a water feature, natural stone paving and a pergola.

Small World-Inspired 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 world-inspired 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 world-inspired 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 world-inspired 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 world-inspired 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 world-inspired 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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