4 Things to Consider Before Building a Patio

After countless hours on Pinterest and Instagram, you’ve finally decided that your backyard needs a patio. It makes perfect sense! A patio is aesthetic and can be a great place to relax.

But before you call the contractor or draw up some plans, here are some questions to ask yourself. This will help you figure out what kind of patio you need and how to build it correctly. This way, you can get started on the right foot and build something you’ll truly enjoy.

Where will you put it?

So you know the patio goes in your backyard. But where exactly? There are many ways to approach this question, but the best is to think in terms of what you want.

Do you intend to have evening drinks in this space? In that case, you want to position it so you can watch the sunset. On the other hand, if you plan to hang out there mid-day, consider placing it directly under the noon sun to provide the most shade.

The current items in your backyard can also influence the final position of your patio. Do you have a fountain you love to sit and stare at? Or are you cultivating a garden that your visitors have to see?

How big will it be?

Size is a critical factor in patio construction. The last thing you want is a patio that eats up all your space and leaves no room for anything else. You have to at least create some space for your solid teak garden furniture.

One great way to think about this is by comparing it to the size of your yard and what you have already. It’s always a great idea to leave some more space in the yard. That way, you can fit other decorations like a fountain and centerpieces. You also want to have room to move around.

What about lighting?

Lighting can transform a patio, especially at night. If you plan to spend a lot of time outside after dark, consider how your base frame will support extra lighting. Sometimes, it’s worth it to include lighting in your original planning because you might just fall in love with the results.

Also, will you be using solar power or hooking up to the electricity grid? If you’re going with solar power, you’ll need strong roofs to support the panels.

Finally, think about what kind of lighting you want. Explore Pinterest for some amazing ideas. You can use different color lights to set an ambiance, or tiny bulbs to create a fairy tale effect. You can even include overhead lighting so your entire backyard lights up at night.

How do you feel about greens?

If you have a backyard, the odds are that you’ll want some plants, flowers, and maybe hedges in your space. That means it’s time to think about how your landscaping will coexist with your patio. Do you have a space and some ideas in mind already? Will you need to select a different location for your patio?

If nothing is set yet, consider combining the two ideas together. For example, a garden path that leads straight to your patio entrance.