Planning a paver patio is an exciting part of bringing your backyard dreams to life. We recommend you take your time planning so that the end result is exactly what you want. Here are some key considerations when planning out a paver patio for your landscape design in Wescosville, PA.
1. Design for Your Lifestyle
Not all patios are created equal. While most homes feature a typical rectangular patio that houses a grill station and perhaps a hot tub or outdoor fireplace, most are not designed specifically for the homeowner’s lifestyle.
Make a list of all activities you plan on enjoying on your patio. Then, think about which activities can use the same space and which need a dedicated space. This will help you identify activity zones on your patio that will let everyone enjoy the outdoor space without getting in each other’s way.
2. Create Activity Zones
High-activity areas such as the outdoor kitchen/dining space should be located so that traffic to and from these areas doesn’t interfere with the more low-key spaces such as a fire pit area or seating area.
You could think of your outdoor living space in terms of a wheel. The hub represents the highest activity zone; and the spokes represent lower activity areas. Low-activity areas such as a seating area next to an outdoor fireplace could be situated along the perimeter of the patio. These areas are destinations. Even on a small patio, this design approach helps create good traffic flow and a pleasing layout.
3. Add Key Elements
An outdoor kitchen, a fire feature, and a permanent shelter structure are three key elements that will make your patio more user-friendly - and not just during the balmy days of summer, but in the cooler months as well.
An outdoor kitchen designed for your cooking style will make al fresco cooking even more special.
A fire feature could be a rustic fire pit where friends and family could gather around; or an outdoor fireplace, which will stand as a key focal point on your patio while adding warmth and ambience; or, a fire table, which is an entertainer’s dream that combines the ambience of fire with the face-to-face experience of a dining table.
4. Bring Nature In
Create a backyard sanctuary by bringing natural elements closer to the living spaces. Instead of an expanse of lawn around the patio, consider adding native plants immediately adjacent to the patio. Native trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, annuals and perennials, and groundcovers are ideally suited to the climate. They will reward you with color, fragrance, foliage, and many more delights - and with significantly less maintenance and supplemental watering than imported exotic plants.
Adding a natural touch could include a water feature. This could become a must-have for patios that are exposed to background traffic noise. Whether the water feature is a small ornamental fountain that provides subtle sounds of moving water, a serene ultra-modern reflecting pool, or a naturalistic waterfall - the sounds and sights of water are always a welcome touch.
5. Integrated Lighting
Lighting your patio for the best nighttime experience is important; but you don’t have to have a lot of light fixtures cluttering up your outdoor space. Today’s landscape lighting fixtures are easily integrated into masonry for a chic and unobtrusive look during the day. Add lights to your outdoor kitchen, fire feature, water feature, or retaining wall.
Related: 5 Paver Patio Concepts That Seamlessly Meld With Pool Landscapes in the Blandon, PA Area
