|  If
you are considering adding a patio, get creative in configuring
the size and shape.
While a 10-foot by 10-foot patio was typical several years ago,
many home owners are looking for much larger spaces. They also are
moving away from perfect geometric shapes and creating patios that
flow with the adjacent landscaping and the overall shape of the
property.
Today, patios may be as big as 600 square feet
– plenty of space for furniture, an outdoor fireplace and
a barbecue grill without looking crowded.
Among the considerations:
Will a creative design, such as a kidney shape,
create a flowing design that highlights a nearby flower bed?
How will the patio look in proportion to the yard
and the house?
Will there be enough room for landscaping around it?
How much furniture do you plan to put on the patio?
What size grill will you have?
There also are practical issues:
Consider a roof over the patio for protection from
the elements
Make it easily accessible, so you won't have to
carry cookout materials through the rest of the house
Add some privacy features -- whether it is landscaping or the fact
that it's tucked along the back of the house
Add a wall or railing to keep the area safe, particularly
if the terrain is uneven.
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