Your Dream Back Yard Scene: How To Create A Patio Paradise
Do you spend enough time out in your garden? Probably not – not many people do these days!
Even though being out there is incredibly good for both your mental and physical wellbeing, we’re just not sitting out in the sun and fresh air, surrounded by our own plants and pots, for as long as we really need to.
But we can change that, and so can you. All you need to do is carve out some room for yourself in the wilderness that is your garden and back yard. We’re even here to help you get it all set up.
If you want a dream back yard scene to retreat to on warm and sunny days, and even on the milder days when you need a cardigan, here’s how to create the patio paradise you’re after.
What Do You Want the Patio For?
Never try to set up a patio area without knowing exactly why you want one. Otherwise you’re just going to create a small section of ground with a bunch of stones over it.
Once you’re done, it’ll feel like a big waste of space and time, and you won’t be anymore likely to spend time in the garden because of it.
So, what do you want a patio for? Here’s a couple of common uses to think about:
Relaxing
The main reason anyone wants a patio! But what does relaxing look like to you?
Because for some people, it’s having their potting bench right nearby with plenty of hanging and creeping plants trailing all over the space.
And for others, it’s loungers, a standing parasol, and a table to put a drinks pitcher on.
Entertaining
Some people want a garden patio because they want to have BBQs, outdoor cookouts, pizza nights, and plenty of time and space for their loved ones. Is that the kind of thing you’re looking for from your patio space?
If so, you’ll need to plan out the dimensions very carefully. After all, you’re going to need space for a BBQ and/or outdoor pizza oven, as well as tables and chairs, and some standing room on top of that.
Set Up Some Privacy
Patios are supposed to be private, cozy, and even more intimate areas. You don’t want to be laying back in your own outdoor space with the idea that someone could be peeking in.
And the more private the patio is, the more weatherproof it tends to be as well.
If you want privacy, here’s what to think about including:
Use fencing panels or brick walls
You don’t need many fencing panels or bricks, but building a little brick wall around the perimeter, or setting up two panels to box the patio in on one side, will address your privacy needs no problem.
Add some tall plants
Fencing and bricks on one side, lots of lovely tall plants on the other! Or both, with the plants lining the inner side of the physical barriers you’ve set up.
Leveling the area
You can get a much more private effect for your patio by sending it down a level compared to the rest of your garden.
Sinking it into the background can also help to keep it cool during the height of summer as well.
Stop the Weeds Coming Back
Yes, even patios can suffer from weeds! You don’t want them breaking through the cracks in the paving – or even forming new ones.
Here’s a couple tips for taking care of them:
Rip from the root
Weeds can’t just be cut back. They need to be pulled up from the root whenever possible, as this will stop the root just fanning out and flowering all over again.
Use some power tools
Weeds find it very hard to stand up against a battery powered weed eater. Double the ripping, double the power, half the effort on your end – pure and simple.
Really, use a few more power tools around your garden and back yard, both when you’re setting up your patio paradise and for the long term maintenance you’re going to have to put in.
Power tools don’t just shave off plant clippings; they’ll shave at least 10 to 20 minutes off of the task too.
Laying Out the Furniture
Yes, the furniture you put out in your back yard matters just as much as the furniture you’ve chosen for inside your home too.
The furniture needs to be comfortable to spend more than an hour sitting or lounging on, and it needs to be sturdy enough to not break after a couple of uses.
Plenty of camping chairs have buckled out of nowhere! And if you want a hammock set up, you’re going to need to strength test it before walking away.
And there’s one other thing to keep in mind when choosing your outdoor furniture:
Measure your space before and after
And yes, you really do need to do both! Measure the patio space you have before you put any furniture down – and ideally, before you put any plants in either.
You need to know how much room your plant life is going to absorb, as you’ve got some chairs to fit in as well!
And once you’re looking at potential loungers and side tables for the patio, measure the space again with the furniture heights and widths in mind. How much space would they leave you with? It’s not a safe patio if you can’t move around it without bumping into something!
Creating a Patio Paradise within Your Garden
It’s easier to do than most people let on! All you need is a bit of space for the patio to go, a bit of time to set it up, and an idea for how to lay everything out.
Think about what you want from your patio space, make sure it feels private and cozy, and always have an idea of the dimensions you’re working with. If nothing else, they’re indispensable when you go patio furniture shopping!
