Planning your landscaping is fun, exciting, and full of decisions. One of the more difficult aspects of designing your outdoor space is planning where to put your concrete patio and just how large or small you want it to be. Your patio needs to be just the right size for optimum entertaining and relaxing — it is an extension of your home, after all. There are a few things to consider when adding a concrete patio to your outdoor space.
Determine How The Patio Will Be Used
Before you pull the trigger on pouring your concrete patio, you need to decide how you want your space to be used. This helps determine the best shape and size for your needs. Is this space intended to entertain many people? If you like hosting parties or get-togethers and have space, you may want several patio areas to accommodate more people like an outdoor dining space and a living space. Is your back yard or side yard smaller in size or do you prefer more intimate gatherings? If you have limited space in your backyard or like smaller gatherings, a smaller, cozier bistro patio may work best for you. There are many options, large and small, and every size in between. Determine what you like to do and how you want the space to be used, then let the design of your patio start from there. To help in this process, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- How often do I want to entertain?
- On average, how many people will I be entertaining regularly?
- Do I prefer larger parties or smaller get-togethers?
- How much space do I have to work with?
- How do I want the space finished? Stamped concrete? Painted?
- What furniture do I want in the space? Outdoor living room? Outdoor dining room? How large is this furniture?
Common Patio Types
Bistro Patios — Bistro patios are ideal for side yards or smaller backyards and are typically 6-7 feet in diameter. Because of their size, however, they can be a bit tricky to design. It needs to be small enough to fit in the space but large enough to be functional. If you decide to stamp the concrete, chose a pattern that fits nicely in a small space (cobblestone or brick stamps work better in smaller spaces than larger patterns like slate or fieldstone). It should be large enough to fit a small table and at least two chairs.
Living Room Patios — Living room patios are typically 16-18 feet so they can accommodate plenty of outdoor furniture. The idea is to have this space function the same way your indoor family room functions. Couches, accent and lounge chairs, coffee tables, and sometimes even a fireplace. Outdoor lighting is often included to create the perfect ambiance.
Dining Patio — The standard size for an outdoor patio space is 12-14 feet. This ensures enough space for a large enough table to accommodate your guests. But you should size your patio based on your needs and the number of people you plan to host regularly. A 12-14 foot patio will comfortably accommodate a table large enough for 6-8 people.
