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washing; a brick wall or a shabby shed isn't very soothing. Patios at the back of the house and which overlook a well-tended garden offer a better, more enjoyable view.

A patio needs to be large enough to seat at least two people comfortably. Consider the size of the patio in relation to the rest of the garden and aim to strike a harmonious balance between all the elements. A narrow strip of paving stones along the side of the house looks inappropriate and badly thought-out, while an over-large patio dwarfs the grassed and planted areas.

In a very small garden, you may wish to dispense with a lawn altogether. As an alternative, a series of interconnecting paved areas, paths and raised beds can be very effective. Small town gardens, in particular, appear more spacious with this architectural approach.

It is important to mark the boundary between the patio and the rest of the garden. If your garden is naturally slopping, take advantage of this gradient to site your patio on a higher or lower level. Low retaining walls, hedges, shrubs, raised planters or even a row of containers all help to distinguish between paved and grassed areas and they provide a valuable sense of enclosure. You could also build in a permanent brick barbeque along one side of a paved area.

Since many patio materials come in the form of slabs, a square or rectangular shape proves easiest to construct. It is simplest if you make the design so that the site can be divided exactly by the dimensions of the paving slabs you use. The method has the advantage that you don't have to cut pieces to fit. If you use irregular shaped materials, such as crazy paved or broke stone, you have to work out where to put each piece as you go along.

Make a scale drawing of the site before beginning, and draw in the correct number of slabs, leaving an appropriate gap for mortar joins or edging if necessary.

Cost, durability and appearance are the factors to consider when choosing paving materials. Aim for a harmonious look that blends with both your house and garden. Avoid garish, unnatural colored pavers that clash with your plants and flowers, or a vast expanse of featureless concrete. Remember that patios are rarely used during winter months, so it should contribute some visual interest of its own.

Some of the most interesting terraced areas combine materials for attractive contrasts of texture and shape. Mixing the paving materials is also a good way of lowering the overall cost.

Manmade materials, such as concrete

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