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Landscape Design Porches & Decks Design Dilemma

Patio confusion

6 years ago

Hello. Looking for some feedback on cost effective ways to maximize and potentially extend our outdoor space. We have a small slab patio outside our patio doors. Above it we have a pergola. This area would allow me to set up a conversation set with a nice palm. I would like to find a way to eat outside if desired. I have your normal 4 seat table with chairs and umbrella, yet I have no where to put it. Extending with concrete is not an option unless we do it ourselves. I would like the space to be relatively close to our current patio however I am open to suggestions. After a few hours on pintrest looks like my options are as follows..

-Set up an area on the grass. :/ (could be nice I just do not have that vision)

-Create a temporary floating patio made of wood pallets

(I saw this a few times and thought it could be a temporary option that could Destroy any grass under it)

-Extend the current patio with concrete steps stepping stones. I am unsure if I could even do this myself..

-Ditch the eating outside option.

Any feedback or suggestions are strongly needed and encouraged.

thank you!

Featured Answer

miss lindsey (She/Her)

6 years ago

While you're gathering ideas and growing your budget, just put that table and chairs right on the lawn and enjoy your outdoor time!

I'm not being heartless, it's a practical matter. There's no reason you can't make great memories even though it's not perfectly beautiful. The food still tastes great! Your friends and family are still lovely!

And there's an upshot: using the area helps you get a feel for how it lives, and it also gives you more motivation to get it done even if you need to go slowly and improve a bit each season.

For this season I would work on the grass like Jan said, get that table out there, add some annuals in pots, and commit to using it at least once a week. Gather ideas of what you'd like it to do as you feel how it works, then plan to improve over a couple of years.

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Comments (23)

PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
6 years ago
Pictures?
Cee Smith thanked Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
The space to the right is where I’d like to have a eating area. Not too much further just enough so we could set the umbrella up and it not cross into the pergola. Thank you.
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Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Excuse the mess we definitely have some spring cleaning to do. I would just first like to develop some sort of plan first.
Laura Hill
6 years ago
What about getting a “gazebo” from Home Depot/Target/Walmart, etc. and setting it up on the grass/dirt to the right of your concrete patio? You could put an outdoor rug underneath, or a section of “faux grass” carpet if you wanted... Somewhat temporary, relatively inexpensive - it will damage the grass, but that section looks like it is mostly dirt already... Have fun getting ready for summer dining!
Cee Smith thanked Laura Hill
PRO
JAN MOYER
6 years ago
Looks as though some seriou aerating and drainage and seeding needs to happen prior to dining on grass. First rain will be a mud pit .

I know you want to limit expense, but you don't want a kludge mess either.:)
Cee Smith thanked JAN MOYER
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Very true. This house is 2 years old so yes grass is still a uphill battle, initially I was going to do some foundation planting however I’m delaying that until I figure this out.
PRO
JAN MOYER
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Grass won't grow there until new topsoil and big!!!! aerationn and weed / feed !! That builder cheap stuff is basically........concrete . Yet still mud in rain:(
Cee Smith thanked JAN MOYER
tqtqtbw
6 years ago
Do you have a budget that would cover the gravel, leveling sand, and pavers to do something like this for a patio?

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Cee Smith thanked tqtqtbw
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
I believe that depends on the size of the patio. Our current one is 10x7 so the new size would be something smaller. We most likely have the budget for this tqtqtbw however the skill level is my concern.
tqtqtbw
6 years ago
There are DIY instructions for how to make the patio and the materials needed. I think the real DIY hurdle is the physical labor needed to get the materials to the patio site.
Cee Smith thanked tqtqtbw
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
What is this type of patio called? Is that gravel and concrete pavers? Would it be silly to put a area rug on top of a portion of that? I have heard gravel is very good for drainage.
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
I really like something like this.
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Looks like it was an extension on to a pre exsisting patio. I also like that it leaves a space behind for landscaping purposes.
tqtqtbw
6 years ago
The ones I really like are made with pre-poured A/C compressor pads., but I can imagine they would be super heavy. I plan to have my DIY walkway changed to these for a modern look, like in picture #3. I did this years ago and did not prepare the base correctly.

I probably would not use a rug on this type of patio because I like the grid pattern.

- How NOT to do it regular 12x12 pavers, poor base prep
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Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
What about these??
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
miss lindsey (She/Her)
6 years ago
I'm intrigued...
Cee Smith thanked miss lindsey (She/Her)
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
I researched solid reviews... I am still researching.
suedonim75
6 years ago
They have pretty good reviews on Amazon. I have been looking at the green ones to fill in an area that my dogs have trashed.
Cee Smith thanked suedonim75
Cee Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
I saw that. I was looking at making a temporary patio on an area with little to no grass and potentially under my kids playground area under the swings.
PRO
Prime Ohio Real Estate
6 years ago
I am also look for a cost effective way to get a patio. In my case my builder was able to salvage some pavers from another job.
Cee Smith thanked Prime Ohio Real Estate
Cee Smith
Original Author
5 years ago
Hello everyone.. tiny update. Any advice for pergola placement?

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