7 stylish garden patio ideas
by
Checkatrade

A garden patio is a perfect addition to any garden. Not only is it a great place to take the indoors, outdoors, to entertain and chill, but it’s also super easy to maintain, especially compared to a lawn. Whether you’ve got a small area or a big area, we’ve got all the inspiration you need to create a stylish and functional patio.

To find out more about how much you can expect to pay for different patios, take a look at our patio cost guide. Otherwise, if you’re looking for front garden patio ideas, back garden patio ideas or even cottage garden patio ideas, read on for inspiration.

Patio materials

First things first, you will need to choose your patio materials depending on the look you’re going for and also the practicality. The following are a few great material ideas:

• Stone slabs
• Slate
• Pebbles
• Gravel
• Decking
• Tiles
• Concrete

Once you’ve chosen your material, you can begin to plan out the vibe and style of your overall patio.

Garden patio ideas

Whether you are looking to upgrade a dull, lifeless garden or you’re starting from scratch, patios are a practical and stylish addition to any garden.

There are so many ways you can make a patio your own too, from a fireplace to painted slabs, to a pergola for shade and privacy.

Back garden patios tend to be more private than front patios and can be the perfect place to relax and unwind. All you need is some stylish outdoor furniture and perhaps a BBQ, and you’ve got yourself the perfect entertaining space.

If your garden is big enough, you could add multiple patios to create different zones in the garden. You could have a chilled zone, a dining zone and a party zone too. Consider using garden screening for complete privacy.

 

 

Small garden patio ideas

No matter how small your garden is, there is always space for a patio. Even if that patio is only big enough for a chair and table, the upgrade is well worth the investment.

If you are struggling with small patio ideas, consider installing your patio over different levels. This can often give the illusion of a bigger garden and can work really well with sloped and awkward shaped gardens.

You can even use light colours and mirrors to make your small patio look larger. If you have no patio floor space available, you can instead add plants to your fencing or house wall.

Finally, for really small patios, choose folding furniture to save on space when it’s not in use.

 

 

Cottage garden patio ideas

Patios can work well with any garden design scheme, and cottage patios are no different.

For a great cottage patio idea, add plants to help bring the space to life. Or, build a colourful patio and display plants in coloured pots that complement the patio.

For a beautiful space to relax, choose comfortable furniture for your patio with outdoor textiles. You can even add a pond into your patio for a stunning garden feature.

 

 

 

Garden patio lighting ideas

Lighting should be one of the key things you consider when designing your patio. Not only does it make it practical on the warm summer evenings or bitter winter nights, but it can turn your patio into a super sleek and stylish space.

Consider built-in floor lights, or wall lights that are operated via the mains electricity. Often you can get them fitted so they automatically turn on as dusk starts to fall, or you can get them built with an on and off switch. Find out more about the cost of exterior lights.

Another way to easily incorporate lighting into your patio is to invest in fairy lights or string bulbs. These can be relatively cheap to buy and cheap to install too. You will just need to make sure that they are out of the way of anyone walking past.

 

 

Garden patio decking ideas

Decking can be a fantastic patio option for both modern and traditional homes. Not only is it super stylish, but new products on the market means it’s now easier to maintain than ever before.

Using timber or a composite decking like Trex can create an authentic feel in your garden. You can use furniture to either match or contrast with the decking to make it a real statement feature.

One of the best things about having your patio area decked out is that you can choose different coloured stains. One year you may fancy a darker decking, and then next, a lighter tone may be better for you.

Find out how much garden decking costs.

 

 

Patio fire pit ideas

Fire pits are a striking choice to enhance any patio. Not only are they a great way to keep warm in the evenings, but they also provide that WOW factor to any garden, and if that wasn’t enough, you can also use it to toast marshmallows on too!

Consider a circular shaped patio with a stone fire pit in the middle, like this garden. You can build matching seating into the patio and surrounding the fire pit to create a real focal point and space for everyone to sit together (campfire songs are optional).

You don’t have to have a fully built-in fire pit, you could opt for a chimenea or a fire pit that can be moved. The main thing is that it’s safe and looks good – oh, and keeps you warm.

See our fire pit cost guide for more details.

 

Circular back garden patio ideas

Looking for something a little different? Your new patio doesn’t have to be square. You can design it to be any shape that you like.

Take inspiration from this stone circular patio with a dining area as the centrepiece. The garden has been landscaped perfectly to complement the patio and the pathways leading off in different directions make it both practical and stylish.

Not only does it look great, but the stone slabs used are durable and can last for years to come. Just make sure you get them power washed each year to keep them in tip top condition.

 

 

 

Modern garden patio ideas

Looking to create a super cool patio area that oozes sophistication?

Consider opting for a marble or slate floor for a slick look. It can be on the pricier side, but the look makes it worth it.

Take inspiration from this covered patio area. The owners have created a sheltered gazebo style area with a fireplace in the middle and a relaxed seating area. It’s a great example of merging the indoors and outdoors and means you can entertain in pretty much all weathers.

Greys and neutrals are also still very much on trend, so you can create an area that will look good for years to  come.