According to Kiplinger, 87% of homebuyers want an outside patio area. A quality patio area makes a home more attractive and increases the value of your investment. Here are some tips for creating a hardscape patio that will be functional and beautiful.

1. Determine the Style of Your Hardscape Patio

Start by determining how you want to use your patio. Do you want a place for entertaining, a way to make a small space larger, or somewhere to hang out with friends and family? Your design should reflect this. For example, if you're looking for an outdoor living room, you might choose a sectional sofa and a few chairs. If you want to create a dining area, consider adding an outdoor table and chairs or an umbrella. The more specific your idea of what you'd like in your hardscape patio, the less room there will be for installation mistakes.

2. Make Sure You Have Enough Space for Your Hardscape Patio

Make sure you have a large enough space for a hardscaping project. If you're redoing an existing patio, measure the area to ensure it will accommodate what you want. If you're starting from scratch, measure the area and talk with experts to make sure there are no obstacles to where you want your hardscape patio.

3. Choose Your Materials

There are a variety of materials available for hardscape patios. In addition to bricks, stones, and pavers, you can also choose from tile, concrete blocks, and lattice panels. The material you use will affect the overall look of your patio. For example, wicker furniture looks best on an outdoor patio surface made of brick or stone, while wood or fabric chairs do well with pavers or tile.

4. Plan for Other Elements

Talk with your hardscaping company about what other things you may want to add, such as fountains or fire pits. You can also talk to them about incorporating plantings into your patio design. If this is part of what you plan to do, take care not to block the sun from the plants by using overhead elements, such as a patio umbrella.

5. Be Sure to Choose an Experienced Patio Hardscaping Company

Before hiring a company to build your hardscape patio, make sure you're confident in their ability to do a good job. Look at client reviews, and talk with previous customers. You should also ask about the warranties available on workmanship and materials used for hardscaping patios.

As seen by the tips mentioned above, there is much that goes into designing and building a patio. Be sure you're confident in the company you choose to do the job. Call us today to learn more about our services.