Pros and Cons of a Large Patio in Boise, Idaho

You have a vision in your mind: a low murmur as friends and family mingle under the stars amid the twinkle of bistro lights, the sound of laughter carried on the warm, midsummer breeze. Perhaps a barbeque to celebrate a recent accomplishment or simply the joys of suburban life, and your yard, the perfect venue for an intimate gathering of the people you love the most. As you begin planning how to curate your yard to craft the ideal setting for your vision to come to life, you may find yourself debating how large to make your patio. 

Patio size isn't something most people spend a lot of time thinking about, and this can lead to cramped spaces overfilled with too much furniture, or a patio awkwardly large in size that rejects that cozy, intimate setting no matter how you try to fill it. A good benchmark is to have about 25 square feet of patio per person you plan to accommodate, so a good place to start is to consider how large of a group you plan on hosting--those square feet can add up quickly! Today, we'll be discussing the pros and cons of building a large patio. 

Pro # 1: Less time invested into yard maintenance like lawn mowing.

As any homeowner knows, the time spent weeding, mowing lawns, and performing general maintenance can easily eat away hours of weekend and off-hours time. Because patios are very low-maintenance, with a larger patio, you have less landscaping that needs attention!

Pro #2: More space for lounging, fire.

Especially if you have a firepit or outdoor kitchen, you definitely want more space for you and your guest to enjoy the patio. If you want to add more furniture, like couches, chairs, or tables, it's also good to keep in mind the square footage necessary to accommodate that furniture. Even more so if you plan on dining on the space!

Con #1: Less space for vegetation and other amenities.

If you love plants or want a large lawn for your kids to throw a football around, bear in mind that a larger patio does eat into the space you may have for a lawn. Additionally, if you have hopes of installing a large garden, swimming pool, or overhead structure such as a gazebo, you will need to account for the amount of space each of these features will take up on your property. 

Con #2: Large patios can be unsightly and appear disproportionate to your house. 

A patio that's disproportionately larger than your house can definitely make for some wonky aesthetics; a large patio can overshadow your house. A good rule of thumb is to keep your patio to the approximate size of the footprint of your home, and to keep the width no wider than your home. 

Patios can be an amazing addition to a fun yard! Especially as we enjoy the hot summer months here in Boise, Idaho, our team of professionals at Bella Vista Landscaping is excited to bring your vision for your dream yard to life! We serve clients in Boise, Meridian, Kuna, Middleton, Star, Eagle, Caldwell, Nampa, ID, and all surrounding areas. Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at (208) 995-3532 for more information today!