patio

Even though many of us are right in the thick of winter with no end in sight, now is actually the perfect time to start thinking about spring – particularly your new patio area. Planning ahead can help you get everything you need in order before the weather breaks so that you’ll be ready to move forward as soon as possible. That way you won’t be wasting precious time and can start enjoying your outdoor space earlier. Here are a few tips to get you on the right path.

Determine your patio’s purpose. What do you plan on using the area for most? Will it be for dining, or relaxing after a long day? Will it be for smaller gatherings or entertaining larger groups? This will help you to figure out the size and location that would best suit your needs. It will also help establish a theme and what furniture and accessories you may want.

What location and type of accessibility will you need? Once you have an idea of what you’d like your new patio to be used for, you can start figuring out location and accessibility issues. If you’re looking for a larger area to entertain big groups, a patio space out in your yard may make more sense. From there, you may need to consider laying a walkway that leads to it. Conversely, if you just want a small place to enjoy barbeque dinners outside, an area right off your home would probably suffice.

What materials will be required? If you’re building a patio from scratch, you’re going to need to determine what materials you need and start planning ahead. Will you need lumber, stone, cement? If you’re unsure, consulting with an experienced contractor or even someone at your local hardware store can help put your project into perspective. Planning now can also help you budget for your patio so it’s not a huge expense upfront.

Which furniture pieces will best fit your vision? Once again, the scope of your project will help you plan for what type of furniture you’ll need. If you’re planning on using your patio primarily for dining purposes, a nice outdoor table and chair set would be perfect. For a patio that is more about entertaining than eating, relaxing setups like a wicker couch, chairs and end tables might make more sense.

What accessories do you want? To complete your patio project, you’ll want to add some accessories based on the size, location and proposed use of the area. For instance, a large area that will be used primarily for dining or entertaining may benefit from a shade sail or misting system, while a smaller gathering place might be a nice spot for a fire pit.

Pulling together all of this information now can help you better plan for when you’re ready to start your project. You’ll ultimately save time, aggravation and even money by planning ahead. Have a design idea but you’re not sure how you can bring it to life and pull it all together? Fill out this quick contact form and one of our experts will be in touch. And, as always….stay cool, my friends.