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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. Traditional

Traditional Patio Ideas and Designs

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Full Home Renovation
Full Home Renovation
Artifex Homes LtdArtifex Homes Ltd
Inspiration for a classic patio in Hertfordshire.
Listed Cheshire Hall by Barnes Walker Landscape Architects, Manchester
Listed Cheshire Hall by Barnes Walker Landscape Architects, Manchester
Barnes Walker Ltd - Landscape ArchitectsBarnes Walker Ltd - Landscape Architects
Inspiration for a traditional patio in Cheshire.
Finchley, London
Finchley, London
Black Steel Doors LtdBlack Steel Doors Ltd
This is an example of a classic patio in London with no cover.
Find the right local pro for your project
Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz
Modern Orangery with Loggia
Modern Orangery with Loggia
Westbury Garden RoomsWestbury Garden Rooms
Westbury Orangery and Loggia outdoor covered area
This is an example of a classic patio in Essex.
The Lavenders
The Lavenders
Morph Design StudioMorph Design Studio
This is an example of a traditional patio in Surrey with concrete paving and no cover.
San Pasqual-Exterior
San Pasqual-Exterior
J & M Construction & DevelopmentJ & M Construction & Development
Louie Heredia
Photo of a classic back patio in Los Angeles with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slabs and a gazebo.
Exterior Patio Dining Under Trellis
Exterior Patio Dining Under Trellis
Hanomoco DesignHanomoco Design
Photo of a classic back patio in San Francisco with an outdoor kitchen and a pergola.
Park House
Park House
Align Concepts Pty LtdAlign Concepts Pty Ltd
Photo of a classic patio in Melbourne with a fireplace, tiled flooring and no cover.
Great Falls Outdoor Retreat
Great Falls Outdoor Retreat
Pristine AcresPristine Acres
This is an example of a classic patio in DC Metro.
Modern Farmhouse
Modern Farmhouse
KAM DesignsKAM Designs
Classic patio in Phoenix with a bar area.
Lucero
Lucero
Supple Homes, IncSupple Homes, Inc
This is an example of a large traditional back patio in San Francisco with an outdoor shower.
Backyard Renovation
Backyard Renovation
Alderwood Landscape Architecture and ConstructionAlderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction
Photo credit: www.parkscreative.com
Large traditional back patio in Seattle with a fire feature and natural stone paving.
Fire Pit
Fire Pit
Conklin LimestoneConklin Limestone
A perfect addition to your outdoor living is a seating wall surrounding a firepit. Cambridge Maytrx wall, Pyzique Fire Pit, Round table Pavers. Installed by Natural Green Landsacpe & Design in Lincoln, RI
Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor Kitchen
Hursthouse Landscape - Architect, Build, MaintainHursthouse Landscape - Architect, Build, Maintain
Design ideas for a medium sized classic back patio in Chicago with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and a gazebo.
Wellesley
Wellesley
R. Everts InteriorsR. Everts Interiors
Traditional patio in Boston.
Gazebo Haven
Gazebo Haven
Peregrine Design BuildPeregrine Design Build
Detail of the stained poplar wood ceiling, stone fireplace and outdoor kitchen. The homeowners selected a custom milled walnut mantle, to add to the charm of the space.
Peaceful Spa-inspired Retreat
Peaceful Spa-inspired Retreat
Peery HomesPeery Homes
Photo of a large traditional courtyard patio in Other with no cover, a water feature and natural stone paving.
An Enchanted Evening
An Enchanted Evening
Casa Smith Designs, LLCCasa Smith Designs, LLC
Mark Pinkerton, vi360 Photography
Photo of an expansive classic back patio in San Francisco with brick paving and no cover.
A winter retreat in Jupiter
A winter retreat in Jupiter
Studio SproutStudio Sprout
Gabriela Fojt
Photo of a medium sized traditional back patio in Miami with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and a pergola.

Traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.
West London Courtyard
West London Courtyard
Karen Rogers at KR Garden DesignKaren Rogers at KR Garden Design
Walpole Garden, Chiswick Photography by Caroline Mardon - www.carolinemardon.com
Design ideas for a small traditional patio steps in London with brick paving.
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