Patio: Aesthetic next to shed

13 years ago

Looking at doing a paver patio in an L shape around our storage shed. We plan on adding on to the house at some point in the next decade, and the shed is something we'd both like to dress up if possible. We'd like to do some pavers, but 2-3" tree roots are a concern (I've already dug a small area up)...would a brick/stone patio, firepit and potentially a small pergola look too stark butted against the shed?

We cook out a lot and like the idea of doing a simple counter prep area (pictured)...

Are we better off pulling the patio back toward the house in an open area (with the potential of having to tear it out)?

Featured Answer

Carolina

13 years ago

Another idea: if you 'draw' a large circle with the center point being the left corner of your shed (if you stand in front of the short side facing it). So your shed will be partly in that circle, but not central in it. Fill the circle with gravel (weed cloth or whatever you call it (I'm not English, so...) under it). Firepit in front of the shed (so it can't damage the tree).

L-shaped pergola around the shed, under that your outdoor kitchen. Perhaps you can even partition off part of the shed, make that a cozy seating area so that if it rains you can still sit outside.

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Comments (13)

rinked
13 years ago
What does your house look like?
rinked
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
And you could incorporate the patio and shed by making a single large roof over it, part closed, part pergola-ish. Imagine two L-shapes, one shed-roof-porch and the patio coming from underneath it towards the front. Hope this makes sense.
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J Taylor Craig
Original Author
13 years ago
The first of the pictures are taken from standing where the proposed patio would be. The addition would bring the recessed portion of the house out to where the previous addition (brown) is.

I like your idea though, thanks! Any idea on the tree roots, by chance?

If from the pictures you're seeing a more ideal spot, please float it out there.
rredpenn
13 years ago
"Float" ideas? :) That got me thinking...Floating a deck frame a few inches above the grade would allow the tree roots to exist. It would be easier to dig a few footings than to wrestle with the all the roots alongside the shed. I like your site idea... your shed needs a patio/deck to dress it up and make it a destination!

We have paver stone paths and a small patio that are heaved by freeze/thaw, tree roots, moles and ant hills. A deck would be so much easier to maintain.
rinked
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
You could use half the garage length and not be bothered by the tree.
Carolina
13 years ago
Rinq., great mock-up!
J Taylor Craig
Original Author
13 years ago
Wow...talk about above and beyond...thank you both so much! So I assume both of you agree that I'm not crazy for wanting to dress this up...as well as ignoring the most obvious place for a patio(a rounded patio that wraps from the steps of the addition to the front of the addition)?

I'm going to do some reading into building codes as well as how much it would cost to do an HVAC move...assuming we're unable to add on to the previously indicated portion of the site, would it be better to add a patio/deck by the brown addition?
Carolina
13 years ago
Your craziness depends very much on when you expect to build an addition to your home (if allowed). I have neighbours who have been planning an addition for the past 7 years now. If it will take you that amount of time, you'll have 7 years of enjoyment from a lovely area around your shed :-)

It also depends on where you like to sit when you're outside. If the spot near the shed is the most appealing spot for you to have a patio... But if you're not allowed to build out, I think you will also have to put up a deck there, in addition to the patio near the shed. The current steps look small and it would be lovely if you could have a deck with wider steps. Something like the steps in this photo perhaps:
Mid century House · More Info
User
13 years ago
Why don't you turn this shed into an outdoor living space. You could add a large window to the empty wall space. Add a pergola overhead. A nice paver or flagstone foundation. Paint the shed and add french doors. Well, unless, you actually use this for storage...my mind tends to wander!
rinked
13 years ago
I have something similar at home, Margo, a lot simpeler though. Our wooden shed is about 7 meters long (total width of our lot) and 4 meters deep. About a third is closed off for storage and the other part has an open front.
User
13 years ago
@rinqreation- I am glad someone else has a similar vision. Sometimes my vision does not quite translate in print.
wally'sgirl
13 years ago
What if you come off the door in the brick section, going towards the shed? Then if you add on (where were you planning? I guess I was assuming over by the other addition.) it would be kind of like a courtyard