the patio really is the heart of any garden space this is the area where you and your friends and family can get together and relax read a book enjoy a glass of wine or entertain now it really isn't that taxing to get your patio summer ready there's a host of small tests that can be broken down to make this space fantastic this summer first things first you would never not clean your kitchen and I think so many people forget that they do need to clean their patio so make sure that you chuck out all the clutter give it a good sweep down give it a pressure wash and make sure that it's just looking neat and tidy if you're starting from scratch with a new patio really think about the materials that you're going to use I think it's a wonderful idea to use materials that you've got inside your house leading to the outside so if you've got floorboards use decking if you've got a slate tiles you slate outside think about the direction that you're laying those paving materials in if you lay them which ways you'll give your garden with and if you lay the lines going out into the garden space of course you'll make it feel larger your patio really doesn't have to feel like a flat space make sure you're using vertical height in the garden by putting large shrubs like camellias or bamboos and big containers which will make your garden feel a whole lot bigger smaller pots around the terrace and different height see different groups of planting will create lots and lots of seasonal and textural interest think about your patio as being the quintessential outdoor room a room would have a roof so why not add a pergola it's a wonderful way to add lots and lots of climbers and scent and color right up at sky level I think mirrors and paint fixtures can make your garden feel a whole lot bigger mirrors will obviously bounce like a reflection ever is in a really tiny garden space and a whitewash wall will make your garden just feel crisp clean and big I think of the patio as being your outdoor kitchen and really make sure that it's ready for any occasion this summer think about how you would actually furnishing indoor space you'll need to think about a table that's marginal for all of your guests to fit around obviously a kitchen area a barbecue is ideal herbs by the barbecue are a wonderful addition they have such sensory flavors that are just released as soon as they hit the cold so why not put herb garden right next to the Barbie and that way they are always close to crop and add some flavor to your dishes it's like so many of us have you've got a complete mishmash of different pop styles terracotta core 10 steel a really good tip to do is to group them together that plant them was exactly the same variety of plant it will give you a cohesive look which will really brighten up the corner the patio really is about you and your family deciding how you want to use the space so do you please yourself