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A patio offers offer a wonderful outdoor space that the whole family can appreciate. While building one may boost your property’s value, it needs to be done right.
Surprisingly, there are more than a few mistakes that people can make when they’re designing and building a patio. Some of these can make the space feel cluttered and cramped, or could even lead to some nasty injuries. If you’re designing your patio, this list of common mistakes will help you avoid any issues.
1. Not factoring in drainage
One of the worst mistakes you can make when building a patio is not having adequate drainage. It’s such an easy aspect to overlook when you’re designing and building, but when the rain comes and water is pooling all over the place, it’s hard to ignore.
Inadequate drainage can make your patio unusable at times. It can also cause slippery surfaces and wear down materials faster.
To ensure your patio has proper drainage, you can design it with a slight slope or incorporate drainage grating.
2. Building the wrong size patio
Customised patio builds can be made to any size you desire (as long as they meet regulation standards), but with this freedom comes the responsibility of ensuring that it will fit your space and aesthetic.
Yes, it would be nice to have a huge patio where you can host all your friends and family, and the kids can have lots of space to play, but you don’t want it to be so big that it looks out of proportion to your house. On the flip side, you don’t want it to be so small that it doesn’t fit your patio furniture in a comfortable way.
3. Not thinking about decorations
Your patio could be an oasis that provides an escape from the cares of everyday life where you can just relax. In order to achieve this, you need to plan how you’re going to decorate your patio.
Incorporate features that will elevate the mood of your outdoor space. Hanging plants, candles, furniture, outdoor lighting and ornaments are all areas to consider. Start with a few key pieces and then work your way from there.
4. Not sealing your patio
While patios are made with strong and durable materials, they’re still susceptible to damage. Considering your patio is exposed to the sun, rain and other elements, it’s not hard to see how the paving might start to chip, crack and stain.
You need to do what you can to extend the lifespan of your patio, which means it needs to be sealed or coated regularly. Not only will sealing and coating your patio give it an added layer of protection, but most sealants and coatings come in an assortment of colours to give it a fresh look, too.
5. Installing the wrong paving
Along with not sealing your patio, another mistake people tend to make when designing their patio is using the wrong-sized paving or the wrong materials. Using the wrong type or low quality pavers can lead to your patio experiencing more damage and needing more maintenance and repairs.
Using the wrong-sized pavers is just as bad, because it can ruin the whole feel of your outdoor entertainment area. A paver that is too big can minimise the sense of space, while lots of small pavers can look too busy.
6. Compromising on patio furniture
Adding a patio to your property should accentuate your style, not look like it was done on the cheap or just added on as an afterthought. If you need to save some money, go for less expensive decorations first before compromising on your patio furniture.
When you consider prices, remember that inexpensive patio furniture won’t just make your space look cheap, but it can cost you more in the long run. Cheaper patio furniture often needs to be replaced more frequently.
7. Using the wrong lighting
When designing your patio, remember that the ideal is to be able to use it at night as well as during the day. If you want to make the most of your patio, ensure you have proper lighting installed. There are so many options for outdoor lighting, from solar-powered lanterns to fairy lights. Go for designs that will provide adequate light while complementing your patio’s style.
Final Thoughts
Having the freedom to customise a patio to suit our needs means we carry the responsibility of making sure every aspect of it is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing. With this list of common mistakes to avoid, you should be well aware of some important things to pay close attention to when designing your patio. Always remember – a patios should make you fall in love with spending time outside, not make you regret building it.
The post What to avoid when designing your patio: 7 common mistakes appeared first on Growing Family.
