Welcome to March! The nice weather is officially back. It’s unusually warm for this time of the year (which I’ll actually dive into in my next post!), but I’m certainly not complaining. Just like everyone else, myself included, I want to spend every possible minute outdoors right now.
When the weather is this inviting, our patios, decks, and porches become the perfect places to live, relax, and entertain.
But if you are thinking about building or upgrading your outdoor space, there are a few crucial steps we need to walk through to get it right.
Step 1: Decide on the Patio Dimensions
Before we even look at a single stone or tile, the very first thing you have to decide is the dimensions of your patio.
Ask yourself: Do you actually have enough space for what you want to do?
It is incredibly important to have enough room to comfortably circulate. It can be frustrating to host a beautiful outdoor dinner and have your guests squeeze sideways past chairs just to get to the grill or the lawn.
If your current patio feels too tight, give us a call to help rethink your layout. When I design a space, I always map out this “traffic flow” first to ensure the footprint is genuinely usable.
Step 2: Choose the Right Patio Material
Once you have your dimensions locked in, it’s time to pick your surface. The material you select doesn’t just impact the look of your space; it determines durability, maintenance, and the overall experience.
Here are my top five recommendations for patio materials.
1. Porcelain Tiles
If you are looking for a sleek, highly refined aesthetic, porcelain tiles can be very elegant.
They offer a pristine finish that beautifully bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor living.
Is tile slippery? Will it crack, you may ask?
No, outdoor-graded tiles have enough grip and are very hardy. In fact, some boast a strength of 6,000 psi, compared to the 4,000 psi you’d typically find for most concrete driveways.
Take a look at this beautiful porcelain tile front patio we designed for a client in the Druid Hills area
Notice how it instantly elevates the home’s entrance?
2. Pavers
When it comes to everyday practicality, pavers are hard to beat. They are incredibly versatile, offering an enormous range of choices in colors, shapes, and patterns.
Because they come in such a wide range of prices, it’s easy to find a paver that fits your budget.
Plus, if a section ever gets damaged, you can easily lift and replace individual pieces without tearing up the whole patio.
3. Natural Stone
Natural stone, like flagstone, granite, or limestone, offers a timeless look that blends seamlessly into your landscape. It’s sophisticated and organically beautiful.
However, I always remind my clients that a more expensive material doesn’t always mean it’s the right choice for your specific yard.
It requires careful installation and sometimes a higher level of maintenance to keep it level and pristine.
4. Gravel
Staying on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice elegance!
Sometimes, the landscape simply calls for simplicity.
Take a look at these two patios we did in Decatur using Indiana pea gravel from Bentley Stone Yard, alongside some slate chips
See how fitting they are for the natural surroundings?
Gravel provides excellent drainage, a satisfying crunch underfoot, and a relaxed, organic vibe that looks incredibly high-end when bordered correctly.
5. Concrete
Concrete is often overlooked as a basic option, but when poured and finished creatively, it can be absolutely stunning.
Take a look at this beautiful midcentury modern home:
and see how we made concrete look like a million dollars.
We chose concrete here because it is a perfect match for the style of the house.
To add a modern flair to it, we combined regular saw-cut concrete with exposed aggregate (a finish where the top layer of cement paste is washed away to reveal the textured stones and pebbles mixed underneath).
Summary: Patio Materials at a Glance
To make your decision easier, here is a quick breakdown of the materials we just covered:
| Material | Best Feature | Maintenance Level | Budget Range | Vibe / Aesthetic |
| Porcelain Tile | High elegance, incredibly strong | Low | Moderate to High | Modern, Sleek, Luxurious |
| Pavers | Practicality, easy to repair | Low to Medium | Low to High | Versatile, Traditional to Modern |
| Natural Stone | Timeless, organic look | Medium (Needs leveling/sealing) | High | Rustic, Sophisticated, Classic |
| Gravel | Excellent drainage, affordable | Low (Occasional raking/topping) | Low | Natural, Relaxed, Simple Elegance |
| Concrete | Clean lines, highly customizable | Low | Low to Moderate | Minimalist, Modern, Architectural |
Custom Patio Design
At Designed Landscapes, we evaluate every detail of your space, from the soil and sun exposure to your family’s lifestyle, to develop customized solutions that balance design, functionality, and longevity.
