A quality patio design usually turns out to be as functional as it is beautiful. To incorporate functionality into your next Lancaster, PA, patio design, consider the various components that go into a patio and the reasons why the best patios become the prime spots for family outdoor enjoyment, relaxation, and entertaining.

The Right Pavers

Many people prioritize patio materials that are non-slip. Patio pavers that fail to provide traction when wet raise a higher risk of slip-and-fall accidents. In addition to resisting slippage, your project may focus on pavers that are durable in terms of form and appearance. Such pavers are made to resist crumbling and deterioration, and have colors that are resistant to stains and fading. Advanced manufacturing technologies allow for the use of pavers that will check all of these boxes.

Dividing Spaces

Patio design tends to be more functional when it’s divided appropriately. If you are creating a sense of “rooms” in the patio, the homeowners’ style preferences and outdoor activities will dictate the end results. If they want a separate space for meal preparation, one for entertaining, and perhaps even a gaming area, it will be up to you to have these areas of the landscape clearly separated. This can be achieved through the use of different colored pavers, patterns, stone walls, or levels between rooms.

Placement of the Patio

Typically, patio spaces should be easily accessed from the interior of the home. The patio is likely to be used more frequently when this positioning is convenient. You may find that the best possible positioning would be to place the outdoor kitchen adjacent to the indoor kitchen. Other factors that could affect placement include the view seen from the patio and a consideration of the typical direction of wind movement in the area. When placement can’t mitigate the effects of the wind, a screen of shrubbery could resolve the problem.

Shade

A pergola contributes greatly to the functional use of an outdoor patio space. With a pergola atop a patio, homeowners gain shade from the sun as well as a structure that offers height to the landscape design. A strong pergola also offers decor with a place to hang patio accessories. Dramatic, wind-breaking curtains, wall-mounted container plantings, and even outdoor cooking accessories can find a home upon the structure.

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Permanent Seating

To take the patio design a step further, raise the idea of incorporating permanent seating into the design. Add a bench wall around the perimeter of the patio, or add individual or group seating around a fire feature for a functional patio design that welcomes frequent, convenient use. When homeowners don’t have to drag their chairs outside every time they’d like to enjoy the breeze, you could find themselves spending even more time out of doors.

A Fire Feature

Providing heat for cooking, encouragement of conversation, and a cozy backdrop for conversation, a fire feature is an addition that contributes quality functionality to a landscape. Homeowners might prefer a campfire-style fire pit, an elegant fire table, a masonry pizza oven, or an outdoor fireplace. All of these fire landscaping options offer warmth as well as enhanced safety features.

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Incorporate Storage

Bringing convenience to a patio project is likely to result in long-term appreciation of your hard work. Cabinets within the outdoor kitchen, bench seating within a conversation nook, and even hooks and other hanging elements mounted on vertical elements are all effective ways to add functionality to any patio design plan.