How a Paver Patio Can Bring New Life to an Outdoor Space in Westerville and New Albany, OH Areas

The decision to rejuvenate your landscape should begin with one intention: to make the space more appealing so that you actually use it. And the most important element of any landscape is the outdoor living space. Here’s how a paver patio can bring new life to an outdoor space in Westerville and New Albany, OH Areas.

Related: 4 FENCING TIPS TO MAKE YOUR PAVER PATIO FEEL MORE PRIVATE IN LEWIS CENTER OH

Outdoor Living the Way YOU Want It

Many backyard patios are designed generically: just enough space for a grill, small table, and a couple of lawn chairs. This space is almost universally too small, too cramped, and not laid out in such a way that compels anyone to really spend time outdoors. It’s time to change all that. After all, a backyard patio should be designed for the way you really live. 

Are you a passionate entertainer? A family with young kids? A busy professional? Are you retired and a fan of hammock time and mystery novels? Do you enjoy gardening and a fully immersive landscape, or do you want a landscape that’s as low-maintenance as possible? What’s your design style?

First clarify how you want to use your backyard. Imagine the ideal scenario. Don’t be afraid to dream big, because even if your dreams are over your budget, there are many ways a landscaping professional can help you achieve a vision using a modified design and different materials choices. Write down all the ways you want to use your space. Each of these will be a different zone in your outdoor living space.

A good design will deliver:

1. An outdoor cooking and dining area perfect for you. Whether you love hosting big parties or prefer quiet al fresco dinners with your loved ones, your outdoor kitchen (whether it’s a simple grill station or a full kitchen with all the amenities) will be the hub of outdoor living. This is the main reason people will flock to the space - to enjoy cooking and sharing meals and conversation under the open skies.

You may wish to cover this area with a pergola to make it more user-friendly on the hottest summer days; or, if you envision some cool-weather cookouts, you could consider a pavilion which will offer protection from rain and even snow. 

Add an outdoor fireplace to one side of the pergola or pavilion and you will effectively turn your patio into a pleasant and usable multi-season space that helps you make the most of your investment.

2. Coziness. It’s one thing to sit outside and be in nature… and quite another thing to do so in comfort. You will spend a lot more time outside if your patio features creature comforts like cushioned weatherproof furniture under a sheltering roof, a fire pit or outdoor fireplace for warmth and ambience, a privacy wall, and even a water feature to drown out traffic and lawnmower sounds.

Adding at least one of these amenities, and preferably all of them (unless you don’t need a privacy wall) will make a lot of difference in your level of enjoyment of your outdoor space.

3. Traffic flow. You never want people tripping over furniture or having to go around obstacles such as a fire pit to access any part of your patio. Think of the patio as a wheel: at the hub you have your high-activity areas such as the outdoor kitchen, which should be easily accessible from the house. Beyond that, you would have your quieter areas such as a fire pit area and a lounge area. The more convenient the space, the more likely you will be to use it. The only exception to this is if you are deliberately creating a separate “destination space” such as a remote fire pit or a spot for enjoying a spectacular view. 

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