If you love to spend time in your garden, then you’ll know that there is nothing worse than looking at all your hard work finally coming together only to turn around and see that your garden patio is looking forlorn and forgotten.
Let’s face it; this is an area that can be easily left behind. Your garden takes up so much time and most prefer to work on the area that gives you the most dramatic aesthetic change – think bright flower arrangements, neatly-coiffed hedges and elaborate garden seating, to name but a few.
But if the rest of your garden is looking on point, it can be brought down by a shabby patio. Here are a few ideas on how to change that and make your patio look brand new.
Cleaning It
Your patio picks up so much dirt, wear and tear throughout the year. Seeing as it’s subject to all of the elements and is likely the most used area of the garden as people stand and sit on it, your patio can quickly become the dirtiest and least attractive part of your garden.
As such, you need to clean it regularly. The best way to clean patio slabs is with a pressure washer combined with a cleaner. The force of the wash should shove that dirt straight off and bring back that sparkling patio you bought all of those years ago.
At which point, you can start to show your patio some love…
Decking Flooring
For those looking for a wholesale change to the aesthetic of their patio, laying decking in its place is a viable optional. Doing so isn’t as complicated as it may originally seem; there are various ways to build a low level deck over a concrete slab patio.
If you’re looking for a more eco friendly option, take a look at composite decking. Composite flooring is long lasting decking that is made up with recycled materials. It has all of the benefits of wood with few of the downsides.
One of the key advantages of decking over a concrete patio is that the former is much easier to keep clean than the latter. This will not only decorate your garden and make it look tidier but also it can warm up your outdoor space depending on the type of flooring that you are going to use. Wood is much warmer to the touch and the eyes than cold concrete, after all.
Create A Variety Of Seating Groups
It should go without saying that when sociability is concerned, seating should be the focus of every outdoor patio space.
However tempting it is to simply add as many seats as possible to accommodate family and friends, we recommend that you take a more considered approach. Instead, focus on creating a few different seating areas that serve to draw the focus to different areas of the garden, channelling the ‘chill out zones’ of Ibiza, perhaps.
To achieve this, the first thing you need to do is select a contact point. When it comes to outdoor spaces, the contact point is usually an outdoor dining table or garden coffee table, a water feature or that wood fired pizza oven we mentioned. That said, if you don’t want to occupy that amount of square footage, use an outdoor rug to provide that focal point and balance the space.
Once you have your contact point in place, all you need to do is arrange the furniture around it so that each piece meets the central point. You also want to make sure that no furniture leaves anyone sitting with their back to the rest of the patio, which would run the rink of discouraging sociability.
Incorporate Lighting For Ambience
As the sun sets on your beautifully revamped garden patio, the right lighting can truly transform the atmosphere, extending the usability of your outdoor space well into the evening. Consider the addition of strategic lighting to enhance the mood and functionality of your patio. Solar-powered lights are an eco-friendly option that can line pathways or be interspersed among plants and shrubs for a twinkling effect.
For a more dramatic impact, festoon lights can be strung overhead, creating a canopy of warmth and light that invites long, leisurely conversations under the stars. Lanterns with candles can add a traditional touch, while modern LED solutions can illuminate specific features such as a water fountain or sculpture. Remember to choose lighting that complements the style of your garden and adds to the overall ambience you wish to create.
Add Curving To Your Patio
In their standard form, patio slabs tend to come as a square. This is common and many people leave their patios like this. However, a square or rectangle isn’t your only option when it comes to the shade of your patio. You can also add borders and curves to your concrete patio using pavers.
You, for example, could add a half-circle to create a fire pit or pond area or even use a paver to border a garden area at the side of your patio. It makes your garden space that little bit more unique and decorative, and opens up the space to the potential of zoning.
Read: Interesting zoning ideas for your garden
While you might think of a fire pit as being an expensive addition to your space, it’s an investment if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the garden this year. What’s more, they’re not actually all that expensive, with mini pits selling for as little as £25.
Aside from the functional provision of heat, they’re also a great party focal point and conversation starter, helping shape your garden into a place of both rest and leisure. Alternatively, you could simply dig a hole in the ground, line it with bricks or patio slabs, and voila!
Or, should you be a dab hand in the kitchen, why not install a pizza oven in your back garden, potentially deploying some of the same brick or slab used to make your patio. Doing so brings together the sociable elements of food and fire succinctly, whilst complementing your patio visually, too. Check out our tips on how to build your own pizza oven in your garden for more on that.
Visual Intrigue Surrounding Your Patio
Another great way to imbue your garden patio area with some character is to accessorise the surrounding area – think wind chimes and ornamental rain catchers, garden gnomes and avant-garde sculpture.
A cursory search through your local garden centre may reveal garden ornaments to suit your taste, with many perfectly suited to being hidden in flower beds or hung from your trees and shrubs that line your patio. You could, of course, add sculptural elements to the patio itself, if you have the space.
The Bottom Line
Revitalising your garden patio for the summer isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about crafting a space that resonates with comfort, functionality, and personal style. After all, you’re not just renovating a space – you’re setting the stage for memories to be made.
Whether it’s a quiet morning with a book and a cup of tea, or a bustling evening with friends and family, your garden patio is now equipped to be the heart of your outdoor living. So, as the warmer months roll in, take pride in your newly rejuvenated patio, knowing it’s ready to complement the life and laughter that summer brings.
