Weekend Project to Create a Quick, Attractive Mini-Patio
Instead of spending your weekend sitting in front of the tube again, why not devote one weekend to creating a patio that you will be able to then enjoy for many weekends to come? You don’t need a large back yard to have room for a patio – a mini patio of any size can be just right for giving you and your family a little outside oasis to enjoy and a place to escape from the stresses of the work week. The good news is that creating a patio that looks great can be a snap, and you don’t have to be a DIY expert to get the job done.
Adding a mini patio to your home is good for you and it is good for your pocket book. You will get plenty of enjoyment from your patio, whether you use it as a place to sit out and bask in the glow of the sun in the summer, a quiet place to read away from the hustle and bustle of kids and family or a place to throw impromptu neighborhood barbeques. Along with all of that personal enjoyment, you will also see a nice increase to the property value of your home. A patio adds instant value to your home, and when it comes time to sell, you will be able to sell potential buyers of the benefits of all of the things you used the patio to do when you owned the home.
To add a patio to your home, the first thing you need to do is decide where you want to put it. Of course, the ideal place is directly outside a backdoor to your home, so you can step out of the home and onto the patio. If you don’t have a backdoor, or if it is not practical to put a patio outside of the door, fear not. You can still enjoy your patio even if you have to walk around the house to get to it.
If you are going to place the patio away from the backdoor, consider a few other factors when placing your patio. Do you have a nice, large tree in your backyard that offers tons of shade? Do you have swing set, garden, big flower bed, or water feature in your yard? Place you patio near the other amenities in your yard so you can enjoy them all together. Just be mindful to look for level ground – placing your patio on a slope will make laying the foundation difficult and make the patio less “user friendly.”
Once you have decided where to place your patio, measure off the area and head to your local hardware store. The foundation of the patio can be anything from concrete to brick to slate, but when choosing the foundation, consider the area in which you live. If you get a lot of rain, slate may be a bad choice because it is slippery, for instance. Your local hardware store should be able to advise you on which materials stand up best to the elements in your area, as well as which materials are most compatible with your skill level – pouring concrete is easier than laying bricks, for instance.
When the patio foundation is in, you can consider the other little features that will bring your work to life. A rod iron fence surrounding the patio, an outdoor lamp or fireplace, a nice new grill – all of these additions can give your patio “wow” factor. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to adding these finishing touches to your new patio – the only rule is to make it the perfect outdoor oasis for you.
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