The best backyards have plenty of room for relaxing and outdoor activities. From deck barbecues to midnight fire pits, your outdoor living space should accommodate your entire household and all of your favorite friends. If your existing patio can’t fit all your preferred design features, you may need an expansion.
The good news is that you can extend your patio space in many different ways. Whether you hire a professional or take a DIY approach, you’ll have more room for your favorite outdoor events. Consider these methods before investing in a complete deck rebuild.
Expand With Gravel
Gravel is your best option if you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive expansion idea. Not only is this material cost-effective, but gravel is also easy to work with. Build a border around your extended space to keep the gravel in its rightful place.
First, pull up any weeds and compact the soil in your chosen space. Then, lay your gravel in a thick layer, pushing down to keep things secure. That’s it! You can decorate this space with lightweight furniture, grills, and fire features for a luxurious outdoor living space.
Use Paver Stones
If gravel isn’t solid enough for you, paver stones will provide the same effect. Paver tiles come in many shapes, materials, and styles so you can customize your patio space. The installation process is a little more involved than gravel, but still doable for handy homeowners.
Tamp the potential land and lay paver sand to create a solid base. Lay the stones in your desired pattern—be sure to fit them together tightly to prevent shifting. Build a border around your extended deck floor and go over everything with a compactor to keep things in place.
Create More Shade
Another way to extend your patio space doesn’t involve adding floor materials. Instead, use your roof to create more shade. You can choose a patio roof stylet hat lengthens your deck area and looks like a natural addition to your home.
You should leave this type of project to professional contractors. And while you’re at it, have them build a custom skylight and fireplace to transform your outdoor area. Your deck will be the prime spot for get-togethers and entertaining all season or year long.
Of course, you don’t have to do any of these renovations yourself. Hiring a professional will ensure you get the quality outcome you deserve. Now, you’ll have plenty of space for all of your favorite seasonal outdoor activities with friends and family.
