Now that social gatherings are happening again, you’re probably excited to host your friends on your patio. But is your patio ready? Many patios fall short - they’re either too small for any gathering over a handful of people; or, they’re awkwardly designed with poor traffic flow; or, they’re just not all that appealing. If it’s time for a patio upgrade, here are 2 paver patio design ideas perfect for entertaining in Vance County and Person County, NC.
Related: 5 Paver Patio Design Concepts that Complement a Retaining Wall in the Halifax County, VA, Area
1. The Chef’s Dream
If cooking up a feast for your guests tops your list of must-haves, then your patio design will revolve around an outdoor kitchen. This cooking space could be as simple as a grill station with a seating bar, or as elaborate as a full chef’s kitchen complete with a wine cooler, smoker, griddle, cooktop, and Kamado grill. Either way, its location is key: as they say in real estate, “location, location, location.”
Keep in mind the image of a wheel when designing an outdoor kitchen meant for entertaining: at the center is the hub (the cooking space); radiating outward is the dining space, a fireside entertainment area, a pergola-covered seating area, and a hot tub and/or pool area. This doesn’t mean a patio has to be round: any shape will do, as long as the central hub is obvious and easily accessible and low-activity spaces are on the perimeter.
Traffic flow to and from the outdoor kitchen must be clear and easy: no having to move chairs or bar stools so that people can move around. Ensure plenty of space around seating areas: if this means a bigger patio with a smaller lawn, then it’s a wise investment; since most lawns are underutilized (and disproportionately high-maintenance) it’s likely to be a feature you won’t miss, but you will appreciate the added comfort of a well-designed outdoor living space designed to hold a crowd.
2. The Fireside Chat Room
Cozying up with friends after a great meal (or for cocktail parties) may involve gathering around a fire. Whether it’s a fire pit, fire table, or a majestic outdoor fireplace, you’ll get the best results if you position your fire feature along the outer perimeter of a patio, out of the flow of traffic, creating a cozy space.
If you have a retaining wall alongside the patio, this is a great opportunity to integrate an outdoor fireplace into it. The walls give the space a living room feel that can be enhanced with outdoor art and sheltered by a pergola for extra comfort.
A fire table (which does double duty as a dining table) could be positioned close to the outdoor kitchen, to add drama to your parties. This is the one fire feature that could be prominently placed centrally in a patio as a functional central feature (a dining space), although creating a peninsula just for a fire table allows your guests to gather in smaller groups, around the outdoor kitchen and around the fire table.
If a fire pit is your top choice, ensure at least 8 feet around the fire pit for placement of chairs and easy movement. A fire pit could be located on the main patio, or become a destination when placed on a peninsula or completely remote from the patio. A round patio space around a fire pit echoes the shape, while adding visual interest to an otherwise very linear space.
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