Patio Designs Can Work With Existing Landscaping
For the most part, patio designs are made around the existing home and the slope of the grade. Consideration is also given to other outdoor living areas as well, and patios can be designed to work alone or in conjunction with other outdoor areas. Using different colors and shapes of patio stones can also allow for patio designs to be unique, regardless of other areas around the home or can be designed to fit in with walkway around flower beds or a swimming pool.
Since a patio is usually located near the house, the patio designs should either compliment or contrast the existing material of the home in style and color. Most concrete patios are left in the original grey color, but additives can be used to change the color of the concrete to virtually any color desired. Many different forms for sculpting the edge and surface of fresh concrete are also available, to allow a solid concrete patio to look and fell like individual stones.
Many patio designs incorporate designed concrete as a cost-saving measure as individual stone patios can be expensive. Not only is the cost of the paving bricks higher than concrete, but installation costs are higher. It is considerably easier to pour a concrete slab and sculpt it than it is to make the underlying gravel and sand perfectly level and install bricks.
Using Imagination With Patio Designs
It does not matter what you read in construction or home improvement magazines, there is no law that says patio designs have to follow the main course of the house. They can wrap around a corner if more outdoor space is needed and can be incorporated into a deck on another level of the home. If the ground slopes away to one side of the house, the patio can lead to steps leading to another level of a wood deck on the part of the house with a higher elevation.
It is true that patio designs care meant to provide extra outdoor living space and the person paying for the job should get to choose the design. One thing to keep in mind is that if the home is every sold, the patio designs used will create the impression for potential buyers as to whether they will use it as it is or have to rip it out and start over again.
In any event, patio designs can uniquely reflect the taste of the homeowner, as well as improve the value of the home. If the homeowner is going to the time and expense of installing a patio, it may as well add something the property value as well.
