Top 10 Patio Design Ideas to Transform Your Garden

By Paul Day Tree Surgery
•
04 Oct, 2019
•

If you are thinking of upgrading your outdoor spaces, then it is likely that you have considered installing a patio in your garden. Patios are dynamic spaces where man-made materials fuse with the verdancy of your garden, creating a space that is ideal for relaxing and entertaining.

No matter what materials you choose, whether wood or concrete, this space is great for barbecues, outdoor eating and entertaining. What’s more, in comparison to the rest of your garden, your patio is designed to last and is relatively easy to maintain too. For instance, you don’t need to worry about constantly pruning, watering, and weeding your garden if a patio is installed - a quick pressure wash once or twice a year can keep it looking fresh and clean for months.

In fact, there are many ways you can design your patio to make it express your personality, fitting with the exterior of your home and the rest of your garden. Whether you want it constructed out of regional limestone, or you envisage a rustic wooden space, there are a range of patio designs out there.

As an experienced landscaping and paving company, we have come across a range of customers that have asked for specific patio designs or who turn to us for inspiration. Below, we have collated together our top ten patio design ideas, suiting gardens of every shape and size.

Patio and garden paving inspiration

Circular patios with different toned stones

When you think of a standard patio design, you may think of stepping out onto a patio instantly when you go outside to your garden rather than grass. Though this has a range of practical and aesthetic benefits, a popular patio design is having circular patios in the centre or placed throughout the garden.

These styles of patio can be framed with topiary and flowers like lavender bushes, pristine hedges and immaculately cut grass. This smart and unusual design is ideal for homeowners that want their garden to look a little different.

These circular spaces are great for creating a feature outdoor dining area, you can place tables, chairs and outdoor umbrellas in this space. Alternatively, you could also add a sun lounger and an outdoor coffee table for an idyllic reading space in the sun.

Natural patios with regional stone

If you are based in Somerset, the Cotswolds or Derbyshire, why not have the patio in your garden constructed from regional stone? Each regional limestone has their own signature hue and tone, making it a charming building material for properties in these regions.

From paving to paths, there are a range of different applications you can use regional stone for. Plus, you could create a walled patio with these honey-hued tones, blending seamlessly with the exterior of your home.

Bold patios with dark contrasting stones

It is no secret that modern and contemporary properties opt for seamless lines and clean finishes rather than ornate features that dominated designs of former eras. This design movement has translated too to gardens and patios.

Therefore, if you want to create a modern garden to reflect the style of your home, why not choose a bold patio style with large dark slate stones? Stylish and smooth, this style of patio is great for elegant alfresco soirées.

Patios with in-built features

Patios aren’t just simply slabs of stone or wooden decking anymore, they are multi-faceted spaces that enhance and transform your garden.

With this in mind, there are a range of added features that you can get built into your patio. For instance, raised flower beds, in-built outdoor fireplaces, pizza ovens, hot tubs and wood burning stoves. This will encourage you to spend all summer long outside, where you can host incredible barbecues and pizza parties.

Raised patios with steps

One of the most common, but no less stylish patio designs is a raised patio that has steps leading down to your garden. Giving your outdoor spaces extra dimension and dramatic effect, this smart style of patio is perfect for large gardens. Raised patios are also great for families with young children, as you can sip your morning cup of tea whilst watching them play below.

Earth patios with wood

If you like connecting with the natural world, then you certainly want your home to reflect that. Use earthy and rustic materials like recycled wood to create a charming patio design and decking.

These types of patios are great for homes that opt for an organic style. You can emphasise this further with rattan and wooden furniture to truly create a bohemian atmosphere.

Patios with dramatic uplighting

When the sun sets and the stars come out, you shouldn’t always retreat back inside into the cosy setting of you home, why not enjoy your patio in all its glory with dramatic uplighting? Not only can uplighting make your garden a wow factor for all, but also it offers practical purposes too, guiding you safely back to the inside of your home.

Create a ‘sunken’ patio on a lower level

Like adding dramatic steps to your patio, you could also create dimension by creating a ‘sunken’ patio. Essentially this is where your patio is on a lower level than the rest of your garden, ideal for homes that are situated on a slope. Not only is this a great way to enhance your garden’s natural shape and incline, but also it will make for the perfect entertaining space.

Place gazebos and hanging plants for an oasis

If you want your patio to have plenty of atmosphere, then nothing creates a stunning space like a verdant and vibrant colourful oasis with an abundance of plants and fairy lights. With this in mind, why not install a gazebo over your patio? Providing shelter from rain or shine, this is a great feature that you can place fairy lights around, bunting, or hanging planters. Alternatively, if you want to take inspiration from the Meditteranean, then why not have a gazebo installed where you can plant grapevines, twisting wisteria and other climbing flowers?

Install water features and ponds

Another patio design idea that takes inspiration from nature is installing water features. You can be as classic or as modern as you like, as water features have been a popular landscaping design feature for centuries. From carved fountains with curlicues and cupids, to naturalistic waterfalls and modern geometric ponds - the trickling tranquil sound of water in or on your patio is great for a serene garden experience.

How to prepare for your new landscape design

Now that you have plenty of information, there are a few things you need to do first before your landscapers arrive.

Hire a skip

Though perhaps not the most glamorous of the whole landscaping process, hiring a skip is essential for a successful landscaping project. Simply because, the current overhaul of your garden will create plenty of waste - from soil to turf, trees, leaves and twigs. You don’t want this to be cluttering up your garden or the rest of the home. Hiring a skip is a great way to organise your waste in the meantime, and means that it can be disposed of easily all in one trip.

Consider planning permission

Though in most cases you may not need planning permission for garden renovations, if you are planning on building walls over 1m by a road or 2m elsewhere, then planning permissions is essential.

Ordering materials

Though your landscaper may take control of this for you, it is vital for you to make sure that you are ordering the right amount of materials. Simply put, over ordering materials will lead to more waste and clutter - so it is vital that you have the right amount. Your landscaper can advise you on what plants, topsoil and furniture you should order too.

Paul Day Treecare: Landscaping and Tree Surgery in Sheffield

If you are planning on having a major renovation to your garden in Sheffield, then hire our expert team at Paul Day Treecare. From tree surgery to landscaping services, we can design and prune the perfect outdoor space for you to relax in all year round.

We pride ourselves on offering an attentive service that caters to our clients needs and wants. Whether you want to create a tranquil oasis or a garden fit for entertaining, we can help make that a reality.

To find out more about services, simply contact us today.

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A Local Gardener's Ten Tips on Preparing Your Garden For Summer and Keeping it in Shape

By Paul Day Tree Surgery • May 12, 2020

Spending time in the garden has been proven to provide a range of mental health benefits. From improving the connection we have with the world to reducing stress, gardening can make us happier, healthier and more fulfilled people. Having the perfect garden to unwind in only helps to improve these benefits and, as the summer arrives, working with local gardeners can ensure your outdoor space is summer-ready.

From large-scale projects, like landscaping and patio installations, to more generalised maintenance, local gardeners can breath new life into your outdoor area for the ensuing period of parties and entertaining. To give you some inspiration, we’ve provided a few tips on how to create the perfect summer-ready garden.

Have Local Gardeners Perform Landscaping and Garden Improvements

When summer begins to peek over the horizon, it can inspire us to change our homes to accommodate living outdoors. This process may require some improvement in your garden, but investing in the below additions can create a much more habitable environment.

Paving

Paving your garden is an excellent way to create an entertainment area for the summer. If you’re lucky enough to have a large outdoor space, you can section off an area dedicated to dining and parties.

Similarly, paving is a great way to section off other areas of the garden and create a ‘zonal’ space. Using paving intelligently, local gardeners can dissect areas of your garden for different purposes. For example, you could install paving as a perimeter to your flower bed, for entertainment space and for dining.

Decking

Similarly to paving, a decked area will create a more habitable environment for friends and family to dine outdoors. By installing a decked area at the top of your garden, you can create the perfect space to utilise for summer parties and gatherings.

Local Gardeners Can Improve The Privacy of Your Garden For Summer Parties With Fencing

Creating a new entertainment space in your garden is all well and good. However, you may also need to improve the privacy of your garden at the same time. Local gardeners can provide quality fencing products to ensure that you have the privacy you want.

Particularly if you have a young family and live in a built-up area, it’s important to have adequate security. Every family wants to be able to enjoy the summer in their garden without the unease of limited privacy measures. From timber fences to bespoke solutions, there are plenty of options which ensure your garden is summer-ready.

Employ Local Gardeners To Prune and Thin Trees To Allow More Sun In

As summer approaches, your trees and bushes will begin to become more unruly. If left to their own devices, the plant life in your garden may become obstructive and can even hinder the growth of other plants. That’s why it’s always a good idea to contact local gardeners to prune and thin your trees before they get too difficult to manage.

By pruning your plants, bushes, hedges and trees in the lead up to and during summer, you’ll facilitate better growth, improve the aesthetics of your garden and increase the sunlight streaming into your outdoor space.

As well as pruning some of the larger trees in your garden, hedges and smaller bushes can also be trimmed back. Having your hedges trimmed by local gardeners will ensure they remain healthy and neat. Having a well-maintained hedge during the summer can even act as a natural alternative to a perimeter fence and can improve the biodiversity of your garden.

Prepare Your Vegetable Patch and Fruit Trees

One of the many benefits of having a garden is the ability to grow your own produce. However, doing so does require some maintenance work.

If you have a fruit tree growing in your garden, the timing of pruning can greatly impact the quality and quantity of your crop. Particularly if your fruit tree is still in its infancy, it’s important to help it grow thick branches and canopies by pruning. The best time to prune fruit trees is in early spring before any significant budding. If your fruit trees are pruned properly in the first few years, they will provide much better fruit in higher quantities.

As well as preparing your trees for fruiting, the lead up to summer can also be spent preparing your vegetable patch. The first step in the process should be preparing your soil for planting. Loosen the soil, add compost, level the soil and water it adequately.

In the spring, plants like tomatoes and peppers should be incubated indoors whilst it’s still chilly. These can be moved outside once it gets hotter. However, you can begin planting vegetables like potatoes and onions outdoors straight away. When the summer does arrive, you’ll have a healthy and happy crop ready to eat.

Some General Upkeep To Consider

As well as some of the significant improvements covered here, there is also some more generalised upkeep you can enact in the lead-up to summer.

Weeds

Weeding isn’t one of the most well-loved gardening projects in the world. However, it’s a necessary evil every gardener will have to go through to ensure their garden remains healthy. The lead up to summer is the best time to tackle this problem. During spring, remove any weeds from the garden and from in between the cracks in your paving. By de-weeding, you can ensure that your plants, rather than the weeds, consume the nutrients in the soil.

At the same time as de-weeding, you should also spend some time getting rid of any pests. Using natural solutions, like crushed eggshells for slugs, you can future-proof your plant life and vegetation.

Plant Summer Plants and Tidy Flower Beds

The blossoming of flowers is one of the most satisfying experiences of summer. It signifies the changing of the seasons and begins to bring colour and warmth into your garden. During the autumn, dead leaves and twigs will have fallen down and collected in your flower beds. With summer on the horizon, now is the time to clear that up ready for summer plants. Prepare the soil of your flowerbeds, tidy the borders up and plant flowers like lilies, dahlias and others that thrive in the warmer period.

Start Your Compost Heap

By using high-quality compost, you can greatly improve the quality of your soil and, therefore, your plants. Begin making your own compost heap months in advance to ensure it’s ready for summer. If starting during the summer, your heap should be ready for the following summer. You can then recycle much of your garden and kitchen waste to add to the compost.

Clean, Treat and Varnish Your Furniture

Finally, summer poses an opportunity to give some of your garden furniture some TLC. Dust, wash, varnish and treat your furniture to ensure it’s in the best possible condition for the summer. The spring is the best time to make these small improvements to have your garden summer-ready for friends and family.

Our Local Gardeners Provide Specialist Tree Services in Sheffield and Beyond

Do you require the services of local gardeners at your property in Sheffield and the surrounding area? If so, look no further than Paul Day Specialists. We’re experts in the industry and provide a wide range of services for both domestic and commercial clients. Whether you need a tree felling or simple hedge maintenance, we can help.

If you want to get your garden ready for the summer, with services like hedge maintenance, landscaping and pruning, one of our specialists can be on hand to help.

To find out more about our services, please feel free to contact us today. You can call us on either 01909 519 675 or 07909 743 488. Alternatively, email us at paul.daycountryside@btinternet.com.

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