- 1). Decide what size patio you want. This will depend on the size of your back yard and what you want the patio for. Is it just for a place eating outdoors or are you going to be using it to set up an entire outdoor center for eating, lounging and installing a hot tub? Whatever the size you decide, measure it off and stake the corners. Pick out the material you want to use. Patio pavers come in many different shapes and sizes, patio brick also makes a nice impression. Ask the professional at the landscape or home improvement store to figure out how many you need for the size patio you are building. Also ask him how much plastic sheeting you will need to put under the pavers and how much sand you will need to put between the pavers.
- 2). Remove the grass layer and set the string level. You will want the area cleared as deep as the pavers are, so when you set them in they will be level with the rest of your yard. Start scraping the dirt with the flat end shovel until the entire area is level. If you don't have a string level, use a 4 foot level on a 2 X 4 cut to the length and/or width of the area. Lay the 2x4 across and put the 4 foot level on top. Watch for small holes that may need to be filled in. These are usually caused by roots or rocks that were in the ground. The area should be level and free of any grass, roots and rocks. Tamp the ground in the entire area to push down any loose dirt. Spread the plastic sheeting and cut to the edges. The plastic will keep the weeds and grass from growing up between your pavers. Now you can start to set your pavers or brick. Leave a small gap between them and fill the entire area. Pour a bag of sand on top. Use the broom push it around and let it fall into the gaps. You may have to do this again after it rains or settles. Place the tiki torches at the corners and add a nice touch for your evening dinners.
- 3). Place two plastic fence pieces on each side of your back corners. Two along the back with two along the side touching to make the corner. Inside each corner plant a nice small sized bush. A fun thing you can do with all the dirt and grass you just removed for your patio is to make a flower and rock garden. Just pile it all up, if it wasn't already and place some big rocks around in it. Then put some plants in planters and place them around on the pile. Now plant some other flowers right in it. Wild flowers work well and grow in anything. Be creative--you could even install a water feature if you're a little handy. They also sell them at home improvement and landscape stores, with instructions. It can be beautiful with just a little imagination.
- 4). Pick a theme and use planters, benches, sculptures or whatever you can find in that theme. Get a nice patio set with an umbrella for sunny days. Set up the hot tub or bar. Plant different varieties of flowers down one side of your lawn. Or some nice small flowering trees on both sides to make a border. Put up trellises along one area and plant some clinging vines. You will have to train the vines to climb the trellis at first. Go to your favorite home improvement store and visit their garden department. You can get a ton of ideas there and all the help you need. Have fun and let your imagination go wild.
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