Replacing Our Back Patio

I mentioned a few weeks ago when I shared all about our new windows that we were getting ready to replace our back patio. Like pretty much everything else with the house, the patio is in really rough shape. We have so many plans for the backyard, but before we can start on any of them, or the mountain of landscaping we have to do, the patio needs to be the first thing we change before moving forward. 

Even though we’ve repainted the house, installed a new roof, soffit, gutters and windows, we still have so much to do… as you can see! Replacing our back patio is the first step to really being able to start working on the back of the house. 

Here’s what our existing patio looks like…

It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but the concrete is in really rough shape. It’s been added onto several different times, and the last pour really wasn’t done properly. Several sections look just like this and it’s getting worse…

The top layer has completely crumbled away leaving sections of rock showing through. It was also drilled into several times and has large bolts sticking out. Plus, the entire side by the kitchen window has sloped and started cracking. It’s time to remove all of it and start fresh!

Since the house was severely neglected for soo many years, we’re still trying to contain all the weeds that are growing everywhere. We basically have a weed jungle and we’re both so over it. Luckily, this huge gravel area covered with weeds will be going away and in its place we’ll be installing a concrete patio in this entire section…

The existing patio is definitely too small, so when we were talking about extending the patio, we made a list of all the different areas we’d like to have on the patio. We’d like a grilling area/ outdoor kitchen, dining space and a lounge area where we can relax. With all that in mind, we’ll be extending the patio all the way down to the siding seam by our central a/c condenser. 

It feels like the perfect spot to stop the patio, as well as giving us a little extra room to conceal the a/c unit from the main patio view.

I’ve been knee deep in finding patio inspiration, and all of these spaces are really nudging us in the right direction…

From the beginning, when we first started dreaming up a new patio, I’ve wanted to include a pergola on the back side of the house. Since we’re extending the patio, we’ll have the perfect space to do this. Not only will it provide us some shade, but it will really add some interest to the back of the house…

Image: Room For Tuesday

I’ve also contemplated curving the patio to add a little dimension to the yard and to break up all the straight lines on the back of the house. This patio basically sold me on it…

Image: HGTV

This area is completely dreamy. Even though it’s not concrete, I plan on having our concrete installer “score” the patio to have more of a pattern…

Image: HGTV

Like this…

Image: Style Me Pretty

The pattern, even with it being large, adds an extra touch and brings the concrete to another level. 

I also really want to keep a flower bed up against the side of the house to plant some evergreen trees, ornamental grass, or a climbing vine. I can’t decide, but this side of the house is really long, and I’d like something to break up the siding. A smaller flower bed should do just that, and add such a pretty element to the patio…

Here’s a beautiful example of what I mean… Our planter areas will be a little larger than these, but the addition of the plants makes such a difference…

Image: Jenna Sue Design

I can’t wait to see this patio area come to life, and even though we’ll be adding to it and tweaking things for the next few years, it’s such an exciting addition to the house. We start demo’ing out our current patio tomorrow, and then our concrete contractor will be be here next week to start pouring the new patio! 

Exciting days!