When it comes to the garden of a family home there’s an awful lot to think about. On the one hand, you want a space in which you can relax, forget about the stresses of daily life. On the other, it needs to be a space where children can play, burn off energy and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Therefore getting the balance of the garden right is key. One big question is around the ratio of patio to garden space, and what best works out to make it a more holistic garden space.
Grass vs Patio: Five Things To Consider In Your Family Home?
Within that decision alone there’s enough to consider, which makes it the perfect starting point when redeveloping your garden space. So what exactly do you need to consider?
Maintenance Requirements
One of the first things you’re probably going to want to consider is the maintenance of the patio against grass space. Naturally, grass requires lotmuch more maintenance than patio space, with the likes of mowing, weeding and watering all required regularly during the summer.
On the other hand, patio flooring takes far less work, and a regular sweep and occasional pressure wash will keep it looking fresh. It is even easier if you have gutter guards installed on your roof to keep leaves and debris at bay.
Practicality for Children and Pets
One of the key considerations is the practicality of both. A grassy area provides a soft surface for children to play on, ideal for ball games, running around and picnics, while a grassy area is also a good option for those with dogs and pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs too. That said, it can become muddy quite quickly during wet periods of the year.
Patios are much more stable in that respect. However, they are also much harder and any accidents are going to be more painful for a child.
In terms of playing, they provide a flatter surface, which can be beneficial for some times of games, as well as being much easier to clean and wash away any mess that has been made for kids. Think about what your children enjoy doing and that can help sway your decision when it comes to the ratios. EBD Studios offers innovative solutions for creating outdoor spaces that blend functionality and beauty. Their expertise in landscape architecture ensures your patio and garden are designed to complement your lifestyle and the surrounding environment.
Usage and Entertainment
If you like to entertain regularly in your outdoor space, patios provide a harder wearing, versatile space for this. There are many great options for patio floors, with styles such as Dijon limestone popular today, creating a stylish yet traditional feel for an outdoor space.
You’ll find sites like Dijonlimestone.co.uk have a wide range that are ideal for patio spaces where entertaining is paramount, whether that be socialising on comfortable lounging sofas, barbecuing or playing party games.
A higher ratio of patio to garden is certainly useful if this is the main focus of the space, there’s less mud, it’s easier to clean and you also have even, hard ground to decorate the space with the likes of lights and potted plants.
Aesthetic Appeal and Design
Of course, you’re going to want to think about the overall design and space you have available too. A well maintained lawn can add greenery and enhance the overall appeal of a garden, with a naturalistic backdrop to plants and flowers. You may personally find it more tranquil.
Patios can be adapted to suit tastes and the shape of a garden, whether you want a limestone, rustic cobbles or something a little sleeker. You may even consider wooden decking. There are endless possibilities, but it’s all about finding the right balance and often the size and shape of a garden can be a predetermining factor in that.
Climate and Weather Conditions
Finally, it may simply be a case of understanding the weather conditions. In areas with a lot of rainfall, a lawn may be the wrong option and you’ll see little benefit of having it. It could be often waterlogged and unusable for your family.
On the flip side, hot weather may also be troubling for grass, drying it out and requiring more water to stay green.
Patios can negate those conditions. However, at the same time, without greenery you can find it looks a little grey if you don’t choose your patio floor carefully, while grass will keep you in touch with nature that little bit more.
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