So many of us dream of a large garden that stretches as far as the eye can see. What could be better than an outdoor space for the kids to play in, guests to dine in, and you to garden in?
Sadly, a large garden won’t look after itself. If round-the-clock gardening work turns your large garden dream into a nightmare, a patio could answer your prayers. A large patio can have multiple outdoor uses, make a big impact, and require little maintenance, meaning more time for you to sit back and enjoy your space.
While it's good to pave a large garden, there are significant benefits to keeping an area of green space. Green spaces, or soft landscaping, can improve mental health and provide better environmental benefits by helping with flooding and supporting biodiversity. So, if you have a large garden but want to add some function to it with a patio, do so with a balance between soft and hard landscaping. This way, you can enjoy the best of both worlds – a functional, low-maintenance patio and the natural beauty and benefits of a green garden.
When it comes to patios for a large garden, we’ve got designs and solutions that suit different aesthetics and needs. So whether you’re building a patio from scratch or looking for ways to revamp your existing patio, read on to see our favourite large patio ideas.
25 large patio ideas
Your patio's design will depend on your personal style, the type of garden you want to create, and your budget. We’ve gathered together our favourite large patio designs for all gardens.
Modern patio ideas
A large patio area is the perfect way to bring a luxurious, contemporary feel to the gardens of modern properties. Here are some ideas for creating a state-of-the-art patio design.
1. Symmetry
If you’re building a patio from scratch or extending a smaller patio, consider creating a symmetrical space. A uniquely shaped patio with mirrored planters, trees, and water features like the one pictured below makes for a striking, cutting-edge design.
2. Bold paving
For a modern aesthetic, switch out the neutral tones for bold materials like porcelain and slate in darker colours. Black or blue paving slabs will create a striking contrast to the green spaces in your garden.
Our Fairstone Natural Slate or Symphony Classic Porcelain Paving in blue are stunning choices for a classy and contemporary patio.
3. Dramatic lighting features
Ground lights, spotlights, and pillar lights can transform your garden in the evenings. These lighting features give your garden a dramatic, modern ambience whilst looking sleek and professional.
Traditional patio ideas
A large patio is a bold design choice, so for the traditionalists, maintaining the feel of a classic garden is essential. Here are some ways to embrace tradition in your designs.
4. Neutral tones
Natural stone paving slabs in neutral tones like buff and brown can beautifully complement your garden’s organic elements. For a timeless look, incorporate limestone or Indian sandstone into your design.
5. Patio planters
As mentioned, having a large patio doesn’t mean you can’t have a green garden. But if you want to bring the soft landscaping into your patio area, you can do so with garden walling by incorporating raised planters into your design so you can sit amongst the greenery when dining or entertaining.
6. Wood-effect patio
Decking is a classic choice for traditional gardens. However, wood can splinter, fade, and rot, making it a high-maintenance material for your patio. Wood-effect paving achieves the aesthetic benefits of decking without the maintenance drawbacks.
Our Woodstone Paving offers the appearance of aged timber with the durability and practicality of concrete, whilst our Symphony Porcelain Plank paving provides a low-maintenance, oaky look.
Outdoor living patio ideas
A large patio can often feel like too much space to fill. Our favourite way to break up a patio is by creating zones in your garden. Why not take a leaf out of the Scandinavian garden playbook and bring the inside out? Create zones in your garden to function as outdoor living areas for dining, playing, and relaxing.
7. Outdoor kitchen
An outdoor kitchen is a great way to elevate your garden design and impress your guests. It could be as simple as a table and chairs with a few shelves for crockery or a full kit out with a BBQ, pizza oven, and bar.
Whatever your vision and budget, let our outdoor kitchen ideas inspire you.
8. Outdoor games room
A games area is perfect for gathering the whole family together and making sure your garden is the hub of the house. A sheltered ping pong or pool table surrounded by comfy bean bags and a table for board games will keep your family entertained all summer.
9. Outdoor living room
A serene retreat for you to enjoy your morning coffee, a place to spend hours catching up with friends, and a space to cuddle up with your loved ones; a living room is many things. But who says it has to be inside your house?
Find a comfy outdoor sofa, layer it with cushions and blankets, grab an outdoor coffee table, lay out a weatherproof rug, and hey presto! Your outdoor living room is ready to entertain.
Top tip: For outdoor living spaces that can be enjoyed all year round, consider building your rooms under a patio cover like a pergola or roof. Heating features like a fire pit, log burner, or heat lamp and lighting elements like fairy lights or solar lights can extend your garden’s usability well into the colder, darker months.
Multi-level patio ideas
A multi-level or split-level patio can add height and interest to your space. Raised elements can stylishly break up a large patio while making it more functional.
10. Staircases
Make a dramatic entrance with a spotlight-lined staircase leading to your garden, or use stairs as an exit from your patio to grass areas.
Use our Fairstone Fawn Versuro or Casarta Slate Steps for a modern look, or keep it classic with our Granite Eclipse Steps.
11. Split-level patio
Split your patio across two or more levels to elevate your garden (quite literally). Create levels with zones for relaxing, entertaining, and dining. A dining area would shine on a raised terrace, whilst a cosy, sunken seating area would slot in nicely underneath.
12. Planter patio
Raised planters are a versatile solution for creating the illusion of levels and adding greenery to your patio area. Use them as a border around the patio area, between split levels to separate floors, as standalone focal points, or to create zones in your patio.
Our easy-to-install garden walling is ideal for building durable raised planters. From traditional, natural styles like Tumbled Croft Stone Walling and Marshalite Pitched Walling to modern Sawn Veneer Walling, Marshalls has a style to suit every garden.
Unique patio ideas
When you think of patios, do you think of large squares of dull, grey concrete? Or do you think of creative designs that can transform your whole garden? A patio is what you make it, so if your style is a little on the quirky side, we’ve got you covered.
13. Patterned patio
Our Symphony Matte statement tile range can create a vibrant, colourful patio that feels like a slice of the Mediterranean. If paving your entire patio with these patterned tiles feels too bold, you can still make a statement by dotting them amongst plain tiles, paving a smaller section, or using them for your patio stairs, as pictured below.
14. Unique shapes
A patio doesn’t have to be regular and symmetrical. When choosing a shape for your patio, the sky's the limit! Our Indian Sandstone Circle is great for creating circular or round patios.
If you have a large garden, you could incorporate several patios of all different shapes and sizes and add pathways to link them.
15. Water features
A large patio provides ample space for eye-catching focal points and exciting features. Make your space stand out with unique water elements, such as a stream, waterfall, or water statue down the middle or to the side of your patio. You could add lilypads or floating flowers for a zen touch.
16. Metallic patio
Use Symphony Elements Corten to create a rugged, industrial-looking patio. Plain paving slabs across a large patio can be monotonous, but the tonal differences and mixed patterns in this range make it ideal for adding interest and texture to vast spaces. Use our copper colourway for a rusty, lava-like look.
Cosy patio ideas
Big gardens can often seem vast and lacking in character. But with thoughtful design, even the largest patio can be made into a warm, welcoming extension of your home.
17. Cobblestone patio
A cobblestone patio is quaint and sweet, reminiscent of fairytales and English cottage gardens; pair it with rustic features and our other tips to create a cosy hideaway. Drivesys Original Cobble is ideal for paving large spaces, adding a unique textural element to your patio design.
18. Magical lights
Nothing says cosy like twinkling fairy lights. Hang strings of warm lights across your patio to make a fairy light roof, adorn your walls or fence with bulbs, or let cascading lights drape from poles or posts.
Dot large candles along a pathway or around the borders of your patio for a soft, magical glow, or incorporate hanging lanterns into your patio design for a vintage touch.
19. Stepping stones
If your garden is large enough to warrant a pathway, why not create your path using stepping stones or gravel to make it a bit whimsical?
20. Fire pit
A fire pit is the ultimate cosy touch for any garden. Having a large patio area means there are more ways to incorporate one in your design. Build one into your patio using matching garden walling and paving slabs for a seamless transition, or construct a sunken seating area around a firepit to add levels to your large space.
Private patio ideas
In a big garden space, creating areas where you can capture a moment of peace and privacy is important. Here’s how you can make private areas on your large patio.
21. Sheltered zones
Our favourite way to bring privacy into your patio is by creating sheltered areas. Use a pergola or a gazebo to shade and steal away a part of your garden, or build a roof extending out from your home to become your patio hideaway.
22. Curtains and screens
A curtain could be added to the exposed sides of a pergola or roof to make a cosy little nook in your patio. Alternatively, use bamboo screening to blend with the natural elements of your garden whilst tucking away sections for quiet time.
Natural patio ideas
Many homeowners have reservations about building a large patio because it can overrule the natural elements of their garden. However, you don’t need to choose between greenery and a patio; with these ideas, you can introduce flowers and foliage to your large patio.
23. Potted plants
Make your patio into a luscious jungle with large, leafy potted plants. Bay trees, skimmia japonica, and Hebe species will make a big impact, even in a big space. Add potted plants with colourful flowers like geraniums, pansies, and fuchsia to complement your leafy greens and watch your patio become a wild and wonderful space.
Our garden walling is ideal for creating raised planters to house your potted plants; check out the image below to see how it’s done.
24. Climbing plants
Plants like climbing roses, honeysuckle, and ivy are ideal for adding greenery to your patio. You can introduce climbers to walling, a trellis, or a pergola, or grow them in plant pots and place them around your space.
25. Plant circle
Get the best of both worlds by surrounding your patio with greenery. A large patio in the centre of a garden surrounded by overgrowing plantlife makes for a stunning contrast. If your patio lies on your back doorstep, try creating a fertile border to surround it.
What are the benefits of a patio area?
Adding a patio area to your space can enhance your home and lifestyle in many ways. Here are some of the benefits of a large patio:
A spacious patio can significantly boost your property’s value. Potential buyers often look for impressive outdoor areas to relax and entertain.
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Creative landscaping opportunities
A larger patio allows for more creative landscaping. You can incorporate raised planters, water features, or different zones, making your outdoor space personal and practical.
With a larger area, you can design your patio with privacy in mind. Whether through strategic planting or adding a pergola, you can create a secluded retreat in your garden.
Bring your large patio ideas to life with Marshalls
When you choose Marshalls for your hard landscaping solutions, you’re investing in quality materials that stand the test of time. Not only do our products look great, they’re crafted for durability and practicality, ensuring your patio looks great and functions well year after year.
Our unbeatable variety of paving slabs and outdoor tiles means you can create a large patio that suits your garden to a T. From wood-effect paving to bold slate tiles to patterned slabs; there’s something for every style.
Don’t let your finishing touches be an afterthought; keep building with the best! Use our staircases to add levels and create dramatic entrances, as well as our garden walling for raised planters and firepits.
Struggling to envisage your dream patio? Marshalls’ Visualiser Tools are ideal for making your vision become reality.
FAQs about large patios
How can I create/revamp a large patio on a budget?
A big patio doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Using some of our tips, you can easily breathe new life into your existing patio without breaking the bank:
- Adding lighting features like fairy lights and spotlights to your garden is a budget-friendly way to transform its ambience
- Upcycle old furniture or wooden palettes to make outdoor dining tables and chairs for your garden zones
- Buying (or making) planters and seeds instead of grown-up potted plants can bring greenery to your patio for a fraction of the cost
Check out our budget garden patio ideas for more ways to transform your patio on a budget.
What is the best material for a large patio?
Sustainable and durable materials are the best for your patio floor. Marshalls’ paving slabs and outdoor tiles are practical, weather-resistant, and built to last, so you can rest easy knowing you’ve made a solid choice.
We’d recommend natural stone as a hard-wearing and long-lasting option, whilst porcelain and concrete are equally great options. For a more relaxed look, opt for our wood-effect paving or antique cobblestone.
Do I need planning permission for a large patio?
There are no restrictions on the area of land you can cover with hard surfaces at ground level, so you’re unlikely to need planning permission for a large patio. However, there are some exceptional cases where significant works may require permission.
Chances are, your patio project won’t be subject to these rules, but if in doubt, it’s best to check the regulations via the planning portal or contact your local authority.
