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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. Size: Compact

Small Traditional Patio Ideas and Designs

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West London Courtyard
West London Courtyard
Karen Rogers at KR Garden DesignKaren Rogers at KR Garden Design
Walpole Garden, Chiswick Photography by Caroline Mardon - www.carolinemardon.com
West Coast English Retreat
West Coast English Retreat
Tierra Madre Fine GardensTierra Madre Fine Gardens
Photo by Samantha Robison
Outdoor Grill Stations and Kitchens
Outdoor Grill Stations and Kitchens
LandCrafters, LLCLandCrafters, LLC
A large ProFire gas grill along with trash pull out is integrated within this masonry grill station. The grill station is surrounded with recovered Cream City bricks and topped with cut bluestone coping. A cedar arbor is integrated and makes an ideal location to hang two custom, high voltage electric lanterns.
A San Jose Edible Garden
A San Jose Edible Garden
UserUser
This arbor and fire pit have become the "go-to" summer hangout for this Hanchet Park couple and their friends and neighbors. photo...Caitlin Atkinson
Outdoor shower
Outdoor shower
Schram DesignsSchram Designs
Red Mangaris
Craftsman Patio
Craftsman Patio
Urban Frenzy
Urban Frenzy
KD LandscapeKD Landscape
Prior to completion the pergola housed just the loveseat while the grill and the balance of furniture were still in transit. This project received a 2013 Hardscape North America Design Award, and a 2014 ILCA Award of Excellence. It is also been featured in Chicagoland Gardening Magazine and Total Landscape Care Magazine. Design by John Algozzini. Photography by Bridget Clauson.
Bluestone Wheaton
Bluestone Wheaton
Hursthouse Landscape Architects and ContractorsHursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors
Flowering Shade
Flowering Shade
FormLA LandscapingFormLA Landscaping
The roof extension covering the front doorstep of the south-facing home needs help cooling the space. Western Redbud is a beautiful way to do just that.
Fire Pits
Fire Pits
Elements LandscapeElements Landscape
Custom Rustic Stone Fire Pit with pea gravel patio
Blue Ridge View Home
Blue Ridge View Home
Board & VellumBoard & Vellum
Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Prides Crossing Patio
Prides Crossing Patio
Coastal MasonryCoastal Masonry
Patio with sitting wall and columns, natural stone steps, gardens, natural stone features and retaining wall designed and built by Coastal Masonry.
Naperville Private Residence
Naperville Private Residence
CB Conlin Landscapes Inc.CB Conlin Landscapes Inc.
Lower-level reclaimed Purington clay brick patio with natural stone steps, lush shade plantings and vintage street lamp.
NEW CANAAN - GARAGE AND POOL HOUSE ADDITION
NEW CANAAN - GARAGE AND POOL HOUSE ADDITION
DM A+DDM A+D
Under-Deck Paver Patio
Under-Deck Paver Patio
Engler Landscape & Garden Design, Inc.Engler Landscape & Garden Design, Inc.
Fallen Leaves
Fallen Leaves
Arbordale LandscapingArbordale Landscaping
Stepping stones in a minimal gravel paved area lead past two lounge chairs to the intimate dining area. The herringbone-patterned limestone patio dissipates into a lush planting bed filled with loose swaths of shade-loving perennials and seasonal bulbs. Beech hedging, and formal clipped evergreens, surround the space and provide privacy, structure and winter interest to the garden. On axis to the main interior living space of the home, the fountain, is the focal point of the garden. A limestone water wall featuring an engraved pattern of fallen Honey Locust leaves nods to the centrally located mature Honey Locust tree that anchors the garden. Water, flowing down the wall, falls a short distance into a pool with a submerged limestone panel. The light noise of the falling water helps soften the sounds of the bustling downtown neighbourhood, creating a tranquil back drop for living and entertaining.
Charming in Lake Oswego
Charming in Lake Oswego
Rebecca Abraham DesignRebecca Abraham Design
Wynnewood, PA: Black and White Outdoor Patio
Wynnewood, PA: Black and White Outdoor Patio
Bella B Home DesignsBella B Home Designs
Black and white outdoor furniture is so classic. This small alcove needed to be a fun outdoor hang out spot. We paired this classic set with an outdoor area rug, console, and outdoor greens to bring the space to life.
Small Backyard & Front Yard Remodel
Small Backyard & Front Yard Remodel
System PaversSystem Pavers
This outdoor remodel consists of a full front yard and backyard re-design. A Small, private paver patio was built off the master bedroom, boasting an elegant fire pit and exquisite views of those West Coast sunsets. In the front courtyard, a paver walkway and patio was built in - perfect for alfresco dining or lounging with loved ones. The front of the home features a new landscape design and LED lighting, creating an elegant look and adding plenty of curb appeal
Broxash Road
Broxash Road
Granit Architects + InteriorsGranit Architects + Interiors
Andrew Beasley

Small Traditional Patio Ideas and Designs

Patios are the go-to solution for turning your garden, or part of it, into an outdoor living area. A well-laid patio will integrate your home seamlessly into your garden, providing a solid and level surface for garden furniture and potted plants. Well designed patios are about more than just paving slabs – its positioning and layout are crucial to how much you enjoy this space. Before you start picking out patio ideas for materials and laying your traditional patio, ask yourself important questions such as what will you use it for? How many people should it accommodate? Which part of your garden has the best aspect and sunlight? Will the patio have enough privacy?

How should I position my patio?

If you are designing your traditional patio as a space for entertaining then make sure it’s wide enough for the garden furniture you want so you haven’t got guests tipping over into the flowerbeds. Don’t be wedded to the idea of having your traditional patio attached to the house; think about positioning yours elsewhere in the garden if that space doesn’t offer the best aspect or lighting position. Consider the position of the sun through the course of the day and depending on whether you are most likely to want to dine outside at breakfast, have lunch on your patio or host dinner outside, you may want to position your patio differently. You can connect patios to your house with a footpath or stepping stones to allow easy transportation of food and drink.

How should I design and lay my traditional patio?

Rectangles are the classic shape for patios, not least because they make the most efficient use of space and can be softened with garden edging. However, a rounded patio or a paving circle can perfectly complement a garden which isn’t linear in design. Paving slabs come in an extensive range of materials and are the most practical surface for patios. Yorkstone has the most traditional appeal, whereas concrete blocks, granite and slate patio slabs have a great texture and colour for modern gardens. Natural stones such as limestone, travertine and Indian sandstone vary in colour and finish and are a great way to add shade and texture to your patio. For some patio ideas that offer an alternative to block paving, loose material such as crushed stone and wood chippings have a rustic and more casual feel; if there are specific materials that re-occur elsewhere in the garden, you could repeat this in your choice of patio materials for consistency. Finally, it’s not a British summer without the great British barbeque, so look at patio ideas that incorporate barbeques and think about how you could accommodate one on your patio.

What garden furniture does my patio need?

Rattan garden furniture is a patio favourite, offering a durable, attractive finish that blends well into natural surroundings. Metal garden furniture and wooden garden furniture are sturdy alternatives available in many styles. Weight is a good feature in garden furniture to stop it from being blown away, but if you want to be able to move your furniture around the patio and garden to follow the sun you won’t want to go too heavy. Browse the various traditional patio ideas that include garden furniture to see what styles of furniture go with different types of patios. If you find a particular patio set you like, you may be able to ask the designer where the furniture is from so you can look at buying the same set for your patio. Good, outdoor patio furniture crafted in high-quality materials should withstand bad weather, but cold, wet British winters followed by strong sun in the summer will be enough to weather even the best furniture, so it’s important to have somewhere, such as a shed, to store it when not in use for long periods of time. If you don’t have the space to store patio furniture, make sure that at least the cushions and umbrellas are stowed away out of the elements, and consider investing in a waterproof cover. One piece of furniture that might be able to stay out for a bit longer is a patio heater; it will warm any brave patio users and most modern designs are built to survive the cold weather. If you prefer something a bit more rustic than a patio heater, look at fire pits instead which will add warmth and an attractive centrepiece to your patio. If privacy or shade is an issue, then covering patio furniture with a parasol or sheltering patios with a gazebo or pergola are both smart patio ideas – these can be covered in climbing flowers or even wound with outdoor fairy lights for romantic evening lighting.
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