Patio design ideas: layout, materials & planting
A good patio is sized for how you actually use it, paved in one material that suits the house, and softened with planting around the edges. Position it for sun (or shade) at the time of day you use it most, allow generous room for furniture, and frame it with pots and beds so it feels part of the garden, not bolted on.
Size and position
- ✓Size it around the furniture you want, plus room to pull chairs out and walk past.
- ✓Follow the sun: place it where you get warmth at the time of day you will use it.
- ✓A patio near the house is convenient; one further out becomes a destination.
Materials and planting
- ✓Pick one paving material that picks up a tone from the house for a calm, unified look.
- ✓Soften every edge with planting — pots, raised beds or gaps left in the paving.
- ✓Add an overhead (pergola, tree or sail) to make the space feel like a room.
FAQ
- How big should a patio be?
- Big enough for your furniture plus about 70 cm around it to move chairs and walk by — for a dining set of six that is roughly 3.5 × 3.5 m.
- What is the best low-maintenance patio material?
- Porcelain paving is the lowest-upkeep: it resists stains, algae and fading and needs only an occasional wash.