Planning a patio

A paved patio can add the perfect touch to your backyard, providing a stylish space for the barbecue and summer entertaining.

Don't leave your DIY paving project for later, aim to get it done now! Summer will be sticking around for only a few more weeks, so it's best to get this work completed before the rainy season arrives - plus you'll want to put the patio to use while the sun's still shining!

The first - and most important - task you will want to complete is the planning.

It's a good idea to draw up a simple plan of your backyard and mark out where the landscaped areas will be, also noting down any changes of level.

Pavers

What kind of look are you going for? Do you want your patio to appear more modern and improve the aesthetics of your home?

One of the current trends is to have grey squares of concrete pavers, evenly spaced apart from each other in a grid pattern, on top of a gravel of contrasting colour (beige or sand for example).

Edging

Also consider what kind of edging you want for your patio. Maybe just a standard cement or a cobbled edging?

If you decide to use timber for your edging, make sure that it is treated to withstand dampness, insects and fungi.