Your Essential Guide to Designing and Installing Your Patio

As well as being attractive and giving you extra space for entertaining, dining or sitting out, patios can also add value to your home and help you get even more enjoyment out of your outdoor space. So, whether you’re looking to upgrade your patio or want to add another element to your garden, here’s our step-by-step guide to designing and installing your own patio.

Step 1: Function

The first question to ask before designing or installing a new patio is ‘what will I be using it for?’ Do you want to entertain guests and dine al fresco or is it just somewhere for you to go to relax and soak up a few extra rays of sun?

Answering this question will influence the design, layout, positioning and size of your patio so it’s important to get it right at this stage. If your patio is too small or not fit for purpose, you’re not going to get as much use from it.

Step 2: Location

Once you know what you’re going to be using your patio for, you will have to decide on its location in your garden. Directly next to the house leading from patio doors, the kitchen or conservatory tend to be the most popular choice because it provides easy access to the house and food when entertaining.

If you have a large garden and you want to create a cosy, sun-lit spot to relax in, you could consider laying your patio in a spot further away from the house to help you be at one with nature and sit somewhere a little quieter where you’re not going to be disturbed.

Step 3: Size

When designing and laying your patio, make sure you provide enough space for your chosen function. Remember that you need enough space for furniture, barbecues and fire pits so create a patio that’s big enough to accommodate these features comfortably. Ensure that your patio also fits the scale of your home and garden to integrate it as much as possible and make it look like an extension of your home rather than an add-on.

Step 4: Building materials

When choosing the materials for your patio, make sure you choose materials that complement the age and style of your home. If you don’t match the patio to your home, it’s likely to stand out and look odd.

For a patio, you’re looking for a long-lasting and durable stone that will weather well and not become slippery or damaged during the winter. Our York stone paving is perfect for creating a hard-wearing patio that’s low maintenance and will remain attractive throughout its whole lifetime.

Step 5: Don’t cut costs

When it comes to buying the materials and laying your patio, make sure you don’t cut costs. If you don’t feel that you have the knowledge, time or skill to do it yourself, ask a professional to come in and give you their opinion. The key to getting a patio that’s usable and will last for many years to come is designing it well and laying the stone properly and effectively.

There are many cheap alternatives to Yorkstone available, however, none are as hard-wearing and durable, or likely to last a lifetime in the way York stone does. Cheap paving will cost you more in the long term as you'll have to replace it after three years and/ or it becomes slippery and unusable during wet or cold weather conditions.