Landscape Design · Topic hub
Patios & Decks
Patios and decks extend living space outdoors. This hub gathers patio, deck and outdoor-structure planning guides — layout, materials and drainage.
Educational planning only. Footings, structure and drainage are handled by qualified professionals; requirements vary by location and project.
20 guides in this topic · Updated
Topic diagram
Outdoor space planning concept
Conceptual editorial diagram — not a construction drawing or to-scale plan. Requirements vary by project and are confirmed with qualified professionals.
Browse by topic
Related topic hubs
Outdoor Rooms →Planning outdoor living spaces — kitchens, seating areas, fire pits, courtyards and garden rooms.Drainage & Site →Planning yard drainage, grading, slopes, irrigation and water features at a planning level.Gardens & Planting →Planning gardens and planting — beds, vegetable gardens, lawns, low-maintenance and climate-aware planting.All Landscape →Back to the full Landscape Design section.
Start here
Featured guides
Patio Materials Comparison →A practical comparison of patio surface material categories — concrete, pavers, natural stone, brick, gravel and decking — across drainage, maintenance and climate and site conditions. Educational planning only; no universal best material and no invented costs.Low-Maintenance Patio Planning →A guide to planning patios with lower maintenance needs — material selection, drainage, edges, joints, planting nearby, furniture, cleaning access and long-term care. Educational planning only; lower-maintenance, never maintenance-free.Patio Drainage Planning Guide →A practical educational planning guide to patio drainage concerns — surface slope as a planning concept, puddling, joints, materials, nearby walls and foundation, and the landscape relationship. No installation instructions.Deck Planning Guide →An educational planning guide for deck projects — intended use, location, access from the house, shade, privacy, materials, structure and professional review, and maintenance. No structural or installation instructions.Covered Patio Planning Guide →A high-level educational planning guide for covered patio projects — weather protection, the roof or cover relationship, drainage, light, outdoor furniture, materials and professional review. Not a feasibility determination.Screened Porch Planning Guide →An educational planning guide for screened porches — insects, ventilation, privacy, furniture, weather exposure, connection to the house and materials. Not a feasibility determination.Pergola Planning Basics →A practical educational planning guide for pergolas — shade, placement, materials, climbing plants, wind and weather exposure, maintenance and professional review. Not a feasibility determination.Block Paving vs Resin Bound →Compare block paving and resin bound surfaces for drives and patios - on look, drainage, joints, weeds and upkeep - to choose the right surface for your site.
In this topic
All guides
Every planning guide grouped under this topic, for quick scanning and crawlable navigation.
Patio Design Planning →Plan a patio for actual use — size, shape, materials, shade, drainage, access, furniture, lighting and maintenance. Practical planning rather than a style catalog.Decking Board Profiles →Compare decking board profiles - grooved, smooth, reeded and capped - by grip, drainage, look and fixing approach, separate from the choice of decking material.Hardwood vs Softwood Decking →Compare hardwood and softwood decking by durability, look, upkeep and cost factors to choose the right timber for your deck and habits.Patio Cover Roofing →Compare patio cover roofing - polycarbonate, glass, solid panels and louvered roofs - by light, shade, weather protection and upkeep.Paving Slab Materials →Compare paving slab materials - porcelain, natural stone and concrete - by look, slip, staining, upkeep and durability to choose slabs for patios and paths.Pergola Materials →Compare pergola frame materials - timber, aluminium and steel - by look, durability, upkeep and span to choose the right structure for shade and outdoor living.Porcelain vs Stone Paving →Compare porcelain and natural stone paving on look, slip, staining, sealing and upkeep to choose the right surface for a patio or path.Deck vs Patio Planning →A decision framework comparing a garden deck and a patio by site, levels, drainage, upkeep and use, to choose the right outdoor surface for your space.Covered Patio vs Porch →Compare a covered patio with a screened porch on bugs, enclosure, openness and use, to plan the right kind of outdoor room for your home.Deck vs Patio →Compare a raised deck and a ground-level patio: how grade, view, materials and upkeep shape which outdoor surface fits your yard and situation.Pergola vs Pavilion →Compare an open pergola and a roofed pavilion for outdoor shade: how much cover each gives, the feel they create, and which suits your space.Garden Gazebo Planning →Plan a freestanding garden gazebo, covering siting, use, proportion and how it relates to the garden, distinct from a pergola or pavilion comparison.
From the Ideas Library
Related design ideas
Educational design inspiration and owner-side planning ideas related to this topic — planning directions and questions to explore, not advice or built projects.
Patio & Deck →Patio and deck design ideas for planning — layouts, materials, shade and transition questions to explore before an outdoor project.Outdoor Seating →Outdoor seating design ideas for planning — built-in benches, dining and lounge zones, and the material and drainage questions to discuss.Backyard →Backyard design ideas for planning — outdoor living zones, play and gathering areas, and surface and drainage questions to explore.
Owner-side preparation
Related planning checklists
Educational preparation checklists for this topic: decisions to record, documents to gather and questions to bring to a qualified professional.
Landscape Design
Landscape planning for front and back yards, patios, outdoor lighting, irrigation and low-maintenance gardens.
Explore the full Landscape Design section →