Patio / Outdoor Seating + Kitchen area design ideas/critique

2 years ago

I have a single storey rear extension on my 1930's semi-detached UK house. I want to build a patio / seating area that is level with the bifold doors opening. This means the patio will be approx 30cm higher than the lawn. Total length of garden is 18m, so dont' really want to go any bigger with the patio area.

I have mocked up an initial idea as pictured below (bifold doors are in the 'gap'). Fairly straightforward:

Walls on the patio are 60cm tall, they overlap the bifold doors by 50cm each side, symmetrically framing the doors.
The side with our access alley has space for a bbq/kitchen area. Kitchen layout itself is just representative but would be similar.
Patio furniture also just representative, wonder whether we'd use more relaxed 'lounge' furniture more than a traditional patio 'dining' table.
Privacy screen made of 40mm cedar or larch, spaced 10mm.
Light-mid grey porcelain tiles.

Very grateful for any advice, critique or alternative ideas. I don't feel particularly wedding to this precise design, materials or colours, so suggests very welcome.

I've sized the all 60cm tall to match the height of the bbq area worktops. I'd perhaps like lower walls - easier for people to perch on, and when viewed from the house - won't obscure the rest of the garden so much. However, I can't go any lower than 60cm for the bbq area worktops - so wouldn't make much difference.
I will have a drain running along the bifold doors. I wonder if I should put other drains in (where?). We have clay soil, so the lawn doesn't need any additional water running on it.
I'm keen to have some lighting - any locations, product suggestions and mounting point ideas appreciated.
Thanks.

Thanks!

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Comments (2)

Jonathan
2 years ago
I think you have done a super job with this…. Just a couple of point:
Although people have an instinct to put their patio next to the house this is not always the most sunny part of the garden and if your best sun is halfway down this is where the patio should go.
Secondly I have noticed any storage for the inevitable cushions and throws.
Consider adding a pergola specifically so you can add infra red heaters and then use the patio further into the evening.
You should also consider lighting.
If you are creating a working area around the barbecue then 90cm would be a more comfortable working height for most people.

And lastly I’m interested to know what software you used to create this- it looks very professional
Mike F
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Jonathan - thanks! Unfortunately for height reasons I can't put a pergola up. Neighbours won't like it as our patio will already be 30cm above the lawn.

On the height of the surfaces, I wonder if I ought to just accept a higher worktop height. This will block the view of the garden a bit, but with a BBQ and maybe pizza oven in the kitchen area, the height will unavoidably be higher then the walls anyway. So a higher wall perhaps isn't a problem (and would look tidier when viewed from the garden anyway).

Do you have any specific thoughts on the lighting options? Seems like an infinite set if options.

I made the model in Sketchup with a plugin called vray. . Borrowed a friend's machine to do it.. I'm not sure I've got a great render from vray, but it was the default settings. Plenty of YouTube tutorials.if.interested, I'm no expert at all.

Thanks
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Patio / Outdoor Seating + Kitchen area design ideas/critique

Comments (2)

Jonathan

Mike F
Original Author

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Comments (2)

Jonathan

Mike FOriginal Author

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Mike F
Original Author