How to beautifully arrange a patio with your own hands? All stages

A country house in Russia is more than just 4 walls. This is a place for a comfortable country holiday. And you can have a good rest only if you use all the opportunities, including outdoor recreation, in nature. That’s why proper arrangement of a patio is a must have for any country house.

Land development is a question that faces everyone who is planning to build or buy a country house. And the comfort and good mood of all residents and vacationers in your country residence depends on how well this issue is thought out.

So, how can you create a cozy and landscaped courtyard inside the site, where you could gather in the evening with family and friends for a barbecue, next to the fire pit, sitting on elegant rattan chairs? And is it possible to do this at minimal cost, with your own hands? Let's figure it out.

Stage 1. Preparation

First you need to decide on the location of your patio, as well as its area. Typically the area is 20-30 square meters. meters turns out to be quite enough.

As for the location, it all depends on the landscape of the area and your personal preferences. A courtyard located on a small hill (if there is one) or in the corner of the site will look especially good.

Basic principles of design and planning

The landscaping of the yard is carried out in compliance with the main principles of design. The first principle is the unity and harmony of your cottage and surrounding area. The design of the courtyard of a private house should be combined with a project for landscaping a recreation area.

There should be no outbuildings or private areas on the way to the main entrance of the cottage; planting trees and flowers along the site will complement the beautiful view. In order for you to have a cozy courtyard, you need to remember the second design principle - functional arrangement.

The trend of dividing the dacha area according to the interests of the family is becoming popular: in one there will be a grill and a barbecue for men, and for women you can arrange the shortest path from the house to the summer kitchen, so that it is easier to do the cooking and preparing the table. A play area and an outdoor cinema will not let children get bored.

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Stage 2. Landscaping of the site next to the house

Arrangement of the yard begins from the site next to the house. As a rule, the area adjacent to the building is fenced off, leaving only one part of it (usually the southern part) open.

If the courtyard is adjacent to the front part of the house, then steps must be brought up to it from the street side. They can be decorated with flowers or decorative tiles. Do not forget also that if you decide to concrete the site, then drainage pipes must be laid under it.

Before paving the site, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work - creating a cushion for the tile material. Don't forget about drainage. The drainage device is usually made as follows:

To do this, dig a trench about 10 cm deep;
The bottom and sides of the resulting trench are covered with geotextiles, which will protect the base from roots. To strengthen the sides, curb tape is used;
The dug hole is filled up to the soil level with crushed stone, pebbles or screenings;
Then the tiles or stones of the shape you need are laid.

The interior space of the patio involves paving a certain part of it with tiles. The rest of the area can be landscaped. A beautiful border, which at the same time prevents the shedding of materials, will add additional attractiveness to the areas and paths in your yard.

Photos of ideas for arranging the yard of a private house

Stage 3. Arrangement of garden paths

Experts advise starting to install garden paths with the shape of your site. As a rule, it is rectangular, having a ratio of 1:3 or 1:5.

This should be taken into account when planning paths so that they are as functional as possible, that is, one path should lead to as many focal points as possible, that is, destinations of your route. This can be a rock garden, flower beds, gazebos and other elements.

The width of the paths should be sufficient for the passage of a garden wheelbarrow. In this case, there is no need to look for the shortest distances, that is, to lay direct routes. One of the best options is a main path encircling the area and several dividing the area into sectors. Naturally, the path should correspond to the route you will take guests, showing the beauty and landscape design of your site. But they should not be made too complicated and tortuous either.

To create paths, it is absolutely not necessary to resort to the help of construction professionals; there are no secrets of skill here; you don’t have to hire a landscape designer, but do everything yourself, that is, for free. If you use some simple tips, you can make decorative paths yourself.

In order to create a sidewalk path with your own hands, you need, even before completing your plan, to determine some aspects that will be related:

with the terrain features of the site;
with the general style of the territory, features of architectural design;
with requirements for paths that will take into account the greatest load, operating conditions, etc.;
with the peculiarities of the local climate and soil characteristics on the site;
with the necessary amount that will be needed to install the tracks.

Taking into account all these aspects, it will be clear what material to use, how and where to place the tracks.

What to pave with?

It is advisable to divide paths in the garden according to their functional purpose. For example:

Concrete paths can be made in places where you will ride a bicycle or carry a loaded wheelbarrow;
places for walking and paths for certain seasons can be made using decorative materials that are less resistant to stress. For example, in the area around a pond or individual broken flower beds, you can lay out stone paths with your own hands. Such paths will become a unique decoration for any countryside and garden area.

It is likely that one of the paths should be permanent, designed for the movement of motor vehicles. Accordingly, when planning what your courtyard should ultimately turn into, you need to determine the location for the main road. The material used is asphalt or gravel. A more elegant solution would be decorative stone, paving slabs or geogrid.

For the remaining pedestrian paths, less capital materials can be used. The cheapest solutions are paths made of sand, gravel or brick chips. But keep in mind that sand is prone to washing out and requires annual renewal, and crumbs and gravel are unpleasant when walking barefoot.

More durable solutions include bricks laid flat or on edge. However, this material is quite fragile. The concrete from which walkways with a poured base are made is stronger.

To construct such a path, a drainage layer of sand about 5 cm thick is required. The base itself is reinforced to avoid breaks, or thermal joints are installed every 1.5 - 2 meters. Reinforcement is the best option, as it eliminates the rise of slabs due to spring subsidence of the soil. For reinforcement, a rod with a diameter of 5 to 8 mm or a mesh measuring 0.5 by 2 meters is required. The reinforcement needs to be laid on supports, for which you can use fragments of bricks.

Paths in the country: functionality and main purpose

When thinking about how to decorate your yard with your own hands, you need to remember the paths. A set of paths connects the functional parts of the yard, making it possible to quickly get to the designated place. The trails protect from dirt, make it convenient for agricultural work, and are a good place for walking. The width, laying technology and material for the paths depend on their functional purpose.

The path from the gate to the porch of the house is called the front path. It can be made of decorative material. Paving slabs and natural stone are often chosen. A durable and wear-resistant coating material is used for the connection between the building and outbuildings. The surface of these paths should be smooth, non-slip and comfortable in rainy or snowy weather. Walking paths are created from lighter materials: herbaceous plants and mosaic slabs; Any form of path is welcome here.

Stage 4. Laying the patio cover

So, the boundaries of the patio have already been finally determined, the material for laying has been selected, and the top layer of turf has been removed. The area is ready for leveling.

Before you start laying any kind of covering, you should take care of organizing drainage throughout the entire area of the courtyard. If your choice fell on tiles, then when laying them, maintain at least a slight slope towards the drainage ditch.

It is advisable to start laying tiles from the highest place on your site. Drainage ditches should already be equipped and located in the lowest parts of the yard. They can be well camouflaged with beautiful borders or bushes.

First, the foundation is filled, after which it is compacted strictly along the exposed beacons. After organizing the base, a layer of mortar for laying slabs is poured onto it in the required quantity. The concrete solution is leveled with a board, after which the tiles are laid directly. The width of the seam when laying should be about 1.2 cm.

The most durable and durable material is clinker, which is a brick that has undergone additional heat treatment. Paving slabs are also popular solutions. Thanks to the huge variety of colors and shapes, you can freely choose exactly the tile that will best decorate the landscape design of your garden. And finally, if you like the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, then you can use paving stones.

Paths and platforms made of concrete will be optimal in almost any conditions. Resistance to sudden changes in temperature and moisture, and in addition, the ability to withstand severe loads depends on proper installation. You don't have to be a construction professional to do this. It will be enough to know the basic requirements for the process of creating concrete paths, which consist of:

digging a trench up to 15 cm deep for a future path and installing formwork made of wood or plastic;
preparing the base: compacting and placing a sand or gravel cushion;
pouring concrete.

To prevent cracks from forming in the canvas, you must follow some rules. To prevent the base from absorbing moisture from the solution, it is necessary to slightly moisten it. Poured concrete, previously covered with a tarpaulin, should be periodically moistened in places of intense exposure to the sun's rays.

The last stage of path construction is their decoration. If, along with functionality, you want to give the paths an aesthetic appearance, decorate them with your own hands to your taste in accordance with the general style of the area.

For example, you can use paving slabs, granite slabs or artificial stone. You can also lay a mosaic of tile fragments on the concrete or frame the path from natural stones of unusual shapes and colors. You can also lay out solid paths from natural stone along the entire length of the site, which will always look harmonious in any landscape.

It is important that in addition to their beauty, platforms and sidewalk paths can withstand the necessary loads and serve you for many years, thanks to their resistance to adverse environmental influences.

How to effectively arrange recreation areas

To effectively manage the space of a cottage, several architectural elements can be combined. A veranda with a gazebo, a kitchen with a dining room, and a play area with a gazebo are often combined. When landscaping a dacha, garden or country furniture is used. When considering the choice of furniture, you need to remember its main qualities: convenience, practicality, resistance to damage and wear resistance.

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The planning of the building site is carried out in compliance with the following recommendations:

play area in clear visibility;
the backyard will be a parking space;
Not only the arranged zones, but also the paths between them should be comfortable.

How to delimit zones in the garden

The division of territory is determined by its location, total area, family size and identification of the interests of each family member. By applying certain principles, garden design, even in a small area, can be made functional and comfortable. Hedges save space: shrubs, flowers and trees.

Fences can be open, low or solid wall. Low plants separate the playground from the general space, and solid wall trees and shrubs become a fence between the utility yard and a beautiful courtyard for relaxation.

Arch

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The material and shape of the arch depends on its location. It is located at the entrance, separating the work area of the yard and a place for relaxation. Arches are made from metal and plastic. Perennial vines, annual and fruit plants are a great addition to this part of the interior.

Plants

The arrangement of the local area of a private house becomes brighter if you add shrubs and trees to it. Fences can be open, low or solid wall.

Low plants will well separate the playground from the general space, and solid wall trees and shrubs can be used as a fence between the utility yard and the recreation area. Plants improve oxygen and protect against dust. A hedge is planted along the fence on the street side and on the inside. The appearance of the area is noticeably improving.

Fence

The fence near the cottage protects prying eyes and prevents children and pets from leaving the yard. A fence built by yourself can be very unusual.

Any available items will do:

wires,
bottles,
car tires.

Braided dry branches also create fences.

A fence made of logs is combined with natural stone, giving the structure a solid appearance. Fences made of wooden intersecting sticks set the mood for a relaxing holiday. The gaps in the fence allow air and light to pass through, so plants planted along them can grow for a very long time.

Screens

Garden areas can be fenced off using a wicker veneer screen, not forgetting the treatment with an antiseptic. Living weaving screens made of climbing plants will be an excellent decoration for your home area.

For a longer period of use, metal screens are used; they can be painted in different ways, diluted with live vegetation in pots.

Stage 5. Fencing the patio

Fencing is an important component of the patio, so the construction of such a fence must be approached thoroughly. It is important to consider that the fence must perform not only its main function, but also a decorative one.

It is better not to build a fence for the courtyard from heavy materials such as concrete slabs or bricks. Decorative fencing should be breathable and lightweight, not monumental and forbidding. A good material for fencing a patio is a picket fence made from thin boards. In some cases, thin brushwood can also be used.

If you use wicker material when building a fence, then it is better to paint all its elements in the same color as the material itself. This way you will maintain a uniform color scheme, and your fence will not look tacky.

Don't forget about an overhead cover for your patio that can protect you from the elements. Such a shelter can be made from awnings. You can also use awnings, wooden pergolas or umbrellas. The third option is vertical gardening of the yard using climbing plants. However, use all methods wisely - it is not recommended to completely cover the entire space of the courtyard.

Outdoor or covered dining area

To install a dining group you need very little space. You just need to purchase a table and chairs (or mini-chairs) to be able to dine outdoors.

But if you have the opportunity to organize a covered canopy for the dining area on the site, then in this case your plans will not be affected by bad weather conditions. In hot weather, you and your family or guests will be protected from the sun; in rainy weather, you can safely continue lunch or dinner.

The main thing is the layout of the site

A private courtyard is an area adjacent to your home. She greets not only you, but also other guests and neighbors. The overall impression of the house will depend on its appearance from the outside. This is why it is so important to tackle the exterior as quickly as possible. And to do it efficiently, you need to plan your landscape.

But, before doing this, it is important to note that a beautiful design may be different for everyone, since, as they say, there are no comrades according to taste and color. You must understand for yourself what you think beauty is. There are many factors that influence choice and preference:

Some prefer the convenience and practicality of the site, while others create the design of the house to impress the neighbors.
Lifestyle also plays a big role. Are you often at home? Or do you come there to spend the night?
Do you have children? Then the design of the house and the layout will be done so that there is a playground for them, and staying on the site is not traumatic.
Almost the same can be said about pets. If they are, then the layout of the yard will be slightly different.
How often do you invite guests to your place for barbecues or barbecues? Do you like to relax outdoors in a gazebo in your yard?

All these factors play an important role when decorating a yard in a private house. If you take these nuances into account, you can speed up the work process and save money.

It is worth noting that the landscape design of the yard directly depends on the size of the area near the house. The larger it is, the more diverse, practical, beautiful and richer the house can be decorated. Here your imagination may not be limited. But what you will need to say goodbye to is finances. After all, the more you want to do in your yard, the more everything will cost.

As for decorating a small courtyard, you need to set your priorities correctly, because everything that you might want to do on the territory may simply not fit. It’s no longer possible to create a large children’s playground with space for barbecues, relaxation and flower beds. In the photo you can see an approximate plan from which you can start when designing a plot in the yard.

Based on the plan, you need to make markings on the ground where all the objects will be located. Among them are a gazebo, flower bed, path, pond, patio, rock gardens and other desired buildings. As professionals advise, the entire area can be divided into squares. In each of them, place one of the key figures (a decorative element or a structural building). This way everything will look beautiful, organic, not messy and even. Such balance in the interior of the site is very important. The photo shows how beautifully and correctly everything can be placed on the site near the house.

Note! Before starting construction work in the yard, check the condition of the site. If you find water accumulation, it is important to drain it. The same applies to communication wiring, especially when placing a fountain, irrigation system or artificial reservoir on the site.

Video description

See an example of arranging a yard and terrace in the video:

If you use stone and concrete in the design, then you will get a more modern, European style.

Many people choose metal among a variety of materials. Such a recreation area can be decorated in a minimalist style, combining originality and practicality.

If there are children in the family, then a playground will be a must-have element. A small gazebo, a sandbox - all this will certainly appeal to children, especially if everything is decorated in bright colors.

A barbecue must be present in the recreation area - you should not deprive yourself of the opportunity to cook delicious food in the open air.

Relaxation area in a private courtyard with barbecue Source paradiserestored.com