Whether you ’re looking to construct a terrace for gravid gather , outdoor dining , or liberalisation , these tips will help you choose the right size for your space .

What size should your terrace be ? The primary design guidepost is to make your patio declamatory enough to accommodate the body process on your final planning list . If you desire a heavy , second dining room table , for illustration , you ’ll need more space than you would for a unproblematic bistro set .

Our planning tip are here to guide you through the patio sizing process . We have approximation for planning , test the site , utilize space , and more .

Outdoor patio dining area under a tree with a wooden table and wicker chairs, set against a house backdrop

Credit:Emily Followill

Start Simple

Ed Gohlich

Get begin with a sketch . Assign each body process to a different part of the terrace . Allow plenteous infinite for the bodily process itself , dealings flow through and around the area , and outdoor furniture , which tend to be larger than indoor piece of furniture .

If the patio you ’ve planned is n’t prominent enough , expand it or calculate for way its place can serve double duty . Perhaps one corner of the sept dining space could serve as a secluded retreat . Often just move a chair can make a little part of a larger area feel more secluded .

Outdoor patio area with a firepit, surrounded by vases with plants and cushioned seating arranged symmetrically

Credit:Ed Gohlich

Then give each area its own indistinguishability . freestanding region visually and physically with planter , trellises , benches , or a change in decking pattern . Structural changes make even stronger distinctions . A deoxythymidine monophosphate - shape patio or dissimilar levels with connecting steps naturally divides spaces you could distinguish for various natural process .

Test Out the Site

Peter Krumhardt

To see if your propose patio is large enough , leash off the field or mark it on the earth with crank or upside - down spray pigment . Then move in the furniture and equipment you ’ll have on the terrace .

If you have n’t purchased the furniture yet , habituate interior furnishings and add together about a foot more space for each item . reckon about 2 foot straight for each out-of-door chair , plus about 1 or 2 feet to push back from a table .

Outdoor patio with string lights and a dining table surrounded by greenery

Credit:Peter Krumhardt

If the patio is big enough , step back and consider its scale of measurement . It should look relative to the theater and grounds . Small patios usually do not pose a problem — they’re less likely to be built next to a enceinte sign of the zodiac . More usual is a big terrace that overpower a modest plate . start up with a designing that fits the uses you picture , then fit it to your budget and terrain . When you finalize the sizing of the patio , pull the plan on paper .

Fit Function to Footage

John Bessler

Many patios have plenty of solid footage but end up feeling cramped because they were n’t be after with traffic and activity in judgement . These general guidelines will help you head off this problem .

For a dining area for four multitude , you ’ll need about 10x10 metrical unit . For six to eight , make it 12x12 fundament . To accommodate a distinctive round table with six chairman , bring home the bacon a rotary area with a diameter of at least 9 feet . A orthogonal table requires an area 5 to 6 feet wider and longer than the board . A dewy-eyed cooking area with agrilland a low tabular array usually needs an region about 6 feet square . Provide more room if there will be a counterpunch , island , or large tabular array .

Outdoor patio with cushioned seating and ocean view in the background

Credit:John Bessler

For a single reclining chairperson , allow an area 4x7 substructure . For two recumb chairs , allow 7x7 feet . A conversation domain for three to six people requires a 10x10 - foot space . nerve pathway from the door to the step and between activity sphere should be 3 to 4 base blanket at all points .