Setting up a patio in the backyard

Cool colours such as blue, in a patio give a relaxing feeling thus look out for colours that will serve this purpose in your patio. Shutter photo

A patio is an outdoor area either attached or detached from the house and is used for recreation or dining. It has a roof, which can be open or solid,” says Josephine Nassiwa, a landscaper.

Many houses today in urban areas in Uganda do not have enough space to cater for additional features such as a patio or at times even a compound. Having a place at home where one can sit and reflect on a number of things going on in their lives is something that, according to Ethel Chrissy Namono, is a necessity.

In the past, it was common to find a home with a patio mostly at the front of the house. With time, however, a number of people have opted to have it in the backyard. This, according to Namono, has changed because of privacy and new architectural designs. Below are some of the different components that, according to Josephine Nassiwa and Ethel Chrissy Namono, make up a patio:

A patio cover
According to Josephine Nassiwa, this is an attached structure that keeps away direct sunlight and other elements such as rain from the patio. It may have an open or solid roof.

“Some patio cover solutions are more permanent and these are achieved by using materials such as acrylic, steel and aluminum. Other solutions for patio covers include the use of pergolas together with climbing plants or pergolas together with awnings,” she says.

Potted flowers
“Group together plants with varying heights and textures to provide interest in the patio space,” says Nassiwa. She adds that one should also remember to ensure that the plants used are bold and unique in form and texture for up close viewing.

In addition, Namono, says the colour of the flowers of the plants to be used in the patio should be considered carefully. The general rule of thumb is that warm colours such as yellow, orange and red give off an existing celebratory vibe while cool colours (Purple, blue and green) evoke a calming and relaxing feeling.

Patio furniture
“Ensure that the furniture is arranged appropriately to encourage conversation. Some of the materials to be considered for making outdoor furniture are: Synthetic wicker, aluminum and stainless steel,” says Nassiwa.

A rug
Outdoor living spaces are designed in such a way that they are extensions of indoor living spaces. A rug will help to achieve just this in addition to making the patio space feel cozy and warm.

Accent table
This provides a convenient spot to place a drink or a plate of food.
There are different factors you need to consider when building a patio:

Aspect
The direction in which the patio is to face will determine the amount of sun shine it will receive during the day.
“If one of the intended uses for the patio is for sun bathing, the patio should face south or south west,” says Nassiwa.

Use of the patio
“Thought should be given to the different activities that a family intends to take place on the patio. For example, if it will be used a lot for dining purposes, it should be placed near to the kitchen so that there is easy movement of food and refreshments to and from the kitchen,” says Namono.

Another example is that if the intention is to use the patio as more of a relaxing retreat, then the selected area next to the house should be as private as possible.

Size
The size of the patio is dependent on the maximum number of people that will occupy the patio at a given time. This determines the number of furniture objects (chairs and tables) that go on the patio. There are recommended standard patio sizes for different furniture arrangements. These should be looked into and adhered to.

Proportion
The patio must be proportional to the rest of the house. It should not be too big or too small in comparison to the house and the rest of the garden.

Location
Thought should be given to where exactly the patio will be placed. The patio should have a slight slope in order to allow rain water to drain off it easily. The rain water that is draining off of the patio should also be catered for. A place next to the house that will allow for good rain water runoff drainage off of the patio must be identified or created.

Configuration
This refers to the shape of the patio. The shape must blend in with the rest of the design of the garden and the house.

Patio material

One of the determinants of the patio material is the architecture of the house.

“It is a good idea to echo a material that has been used elsewhere on another feature in the garden or on the house itself,” says Josephine Nassiwa, a landscaper.
Additionally, Nassiwa also says that this repetition unifies the design.
Also the intended use for the patio will determine the material to be used on the patio floor.

For example, if the patio is intended for formal entertainment, the material used should allow guests to wear high heeled shoes without sinking into the ground.

For such a case, gravel would not be a good choice of flooring material. The choice of material will also affect how durable the patio will be. The style of your home will also come into play when picking what material to use on the patio.

For instance if you have a colonial style home, a brick patio would be ideal, whereas if you have a contemporary style home, a concrete patio will achieve the best result.