Outdoor living spaces can add significant value and enjoyment to your home and lifestyle. Whether your outdoor living areas are for entertaining guests, relaxation, or increasing the value and appearance of your property, a well-designed verandah, patio or pergola can increase the value of your home (in monetary terms and in enjoyment).
If you’re looking into investing in extending your lifestyle with outdoor living areas, there are some key things that are important for you to know. This is where we come in, at Discounted Patios. As Melbourne’s leading outdoor living specialists, we have been helping Melbourne families and homeowners create the patios, verandahs, pergolas and outdoor living spaces that match their goals, lifestyle, home and aesthetic for decades.
We have put together our experience and knowledge in outdoor living to provide you with this Patios 101 guide, with everything you need to know about outdoor living solutions.
Understanding outdoor living spaces
'What is a patio or outdoor living space?'
Defining outdoor living spaces
Outdoor living spaces are, like the name suggests, designed for outdoor enjoyment. These can include patios, verandahs, decks, decks, porch areas and pergolas, each adding unique value and functionality to your home.
A thoughtfully designed outdoor area enhances the overall appeal of your property and provides a perfect setting for relaxation and social gatherings.
A well-designed outdoor living space perfectly integrates the comfort, functionality and aesthetics of indoor living with your garden/backyard and outdoor spaces.
Still wondering ‘what is a patio’? or ‘What is a patio vs a verandah or pergola?’ We’ll cover those answers and more shortly. But first, let’s look at why they are important.
The importance of outdoor living spaces
In Australia, outdoor living is an integral part of our lifestyle. Creating versatile and beautiful outdoor spaces enhances our way of life, opening the door to allow us to enjoy the natural environment, backyard and garden areas, while expanding our living areas.
Outdoor living spaces offer many benefits, including:
- Providing a comfortable retreat for relaxation
- Excellent for entertaining guests
- Facilitating outdoor dining, barbecues, and family gatherings
- A well-designed outdoor space can significantly increase your home's value, making it a smart investment for the future
- They protect against the elements (often providing rain coverage, shade, and a wind block)
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They make it easy to enjoy your outdoor areas at any time of the day/evening and any time of the year
(check out our tips for enjoying your outdoor spaces in Melbourne’s colder months) - Spending time outdoors can reduce stress and improve mental health, and outdoor living spaces encourage this
- They add beauty and character to your home
- They make your living areas feel bigger
- They provide additional areas for busy/large households to spread out and get some much-needed relaxation
- Outdoor living spaces can be adapted for various uses throughout the year
- Connection of your indoor and outdoor living zones
- Added functionality to your property, using your space efficiently.
What is a patio, and what different types of outdoor living areas are there?
Understanding patios: answering the question, 'what is a patio?'
Patios are paved outdoor areas adjoining a house, typically used for dining or recreation. They are versatile and can be customised to fit various styles and preferences.
Patios offer a practical solution for creating an outdoor living area that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, providing a perfect spot for relaxing or entertaining guests.
Porches, verandahs and decks
Porches are covered structures attached to the front of a house, often serving as an entryway or a place to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Verandahs are similar but typically wrap around the house, offering more space and a panoramic view. Decks are elevated platforms, usually made of wood, providing an excellent area for outdoor activities.
Each of these structures has its unique features and benefits, catering to different needs and preferences.
Pergolas
A pergola is an outdoor structure consisting of vertical posts or pillars that support cross-beams and an open lattice roof. Unlike a fully covered roof, the lattice allows sunlight to filter through while providing partial shade. Pergolas can be freestanding or attached to a house, creating an inviting transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. They are often used to support climbing plants, adding a natural element to the structure and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of outdoor living areas.
Patios vs Verandahs
Verandahs and patios are popular choices for outdoor living in Australia, each offering unique benefits. A verandah is a covered structure attached to the house, often wrapping around the front or sides, providing shade and protection from the elements. It’s perfect for enjoying the outdoors while staying sheltered from sun and rain. Patios, on the other hand, are paved outdoor areas that can be either attached or separate from the house. They offer a versatile space for dining, entertaining, and relaxing, with the option to add shade structures like umbrellas or pergolas for comfort. Both enhance outdoor living.
However, while these are technically two slightly different things, many people in Australia will use the terms patio and verandah interchangeably, and so we refer to both in the same way at Discounted Patios, as this is what makes sense for most of our customers. If you’re looking for which exact solution would suit your home and lifestyle best though, our team is always happy to help out — we’ve been providing patios, verandahs and other outdoor living solutions to Melbourne homes for decades.
More about the different structure types.
The basic outdoor living options and their differences
Still confused about ‘what is a patio?’ vs the other outdoor living structures (like pergola, porch, verandah, etc) — the basics of outdoor living types & their differences are explained in these two articles: choosing the perfect patio design and the best outdoor living solutions for your home.
These guides cover the difference between each type of outdoor living structure, from paved surface and concrete floor structures to those that allow the sun in and those that protect against it. Most importantly, these guides help you to uncover which outdoor living choice is best for your home or residence. and how each one can help you enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of the garden you have planted.
Choosing the right structure for your home:
We recently developed a guide on how to select the best outdoor living structure for your home, based on variables like size, function, location, and personal style.
You can check out that guide to choosing the perfect patio type or design to suit your home here. You can also find more advice on how to find the best outdoor living solutions for your home and lifestyle, here. In this guide, we looked at the different types of outdoor living structures, and their benefits, to help you choose.
Our friendly team is also always happy to help. Contact us for dedicated Melbourne outdoor living structure advice.
Designing your patio: Factors to consider
Design
There are many design elements to consider when designing a patio. These include things like:
- Size
- Shape
- Location
- Access to your home
- Outdoor furniture, outdoor features, and accessories
- Lighting
"At Discounted Patios, we understand that every home is unique and calls for a tailored approach. I vividly recall a project where the client's outdoor space had an unconventional triangular shape. However, this was more of an opportunity than a challenge. We turned this shape to our advantage by designing the patio to follow the sun's path throughout the day.
This maximised the natural light and warmth in the outdoor space. Our creative approach ensured that our client could enjoy the sunlight at any time of day, whether they were having their morning coffee or enjoying an evening BBQ. It's moments like these that underscore our commitment to crafting functional, customised outdoor solutions that cater to the unique needs of each home."
— Daniella Montesalvo, Discounted Patios Managing Director, with 25 years of experience.
This is exactly why we offer custom patio, verandah and outdoor living designs for our Melbourne customers — because every individual family or homeowner’s needs and wants are so unique. Contact us to learn more.
Materials
The materials used in patio construction matter. At Discounted Patios, we offer only tried and tested materials from the best brands, so that your investment is sure to stand the test of time and provide enjoyment well into the future.
To learn more about the materials we use, check out our product information, or give us a call.
Overview of the common materials used for patio construction, including their pros and cons.
Cost
There are so many factors that combine to make up the overall cost of your patio, verandah or outdoor living solution. There are many considerations, such as construction, time and labour, design, materials, permits, and any delays you may experience.
The best way to find out what your patio or verandah would cost (and how you can get the best product for your budget) is to request a quote from our friendly team.
We’re experts and finding the solutions that work with you. At Discounted Patios, we provide excellent value for money which cannot be beaten for quality verandahs, patios and outdoor solutions.
Wanting to build a new outdoor space? Here are our services and expertise at Discounted Patios
At Discounted Patios, we offer a range of services to help you create your dream outdoor living area. From outdoor living consultation and design to the outdoor living spaces themselves, their construction and even assistance with patio installation via our network of installers in and around Melbourne, we provide a custom approach tailored to your specific needs. For every outdoor living solution, we focus on excellent customer service, superior workmanship and excellent results.
We’re a Victorian family business with more than 25 years of experience in outdoor living solutions and have been Melbourne’s leading outdoor living specialists for some time. You can learn more about what makes Discounted Patios the best here.
We’re even able to create custom outdoor living solutions, for the perfect fit for your home, aesthetic and lifestyle. Get in touch with us today to learn more, or view some of our recent work.
Building permits and council applications
Want to know whether you need a building permit for your verandah, patio or outdoor living structure? We answer that and more about building permits in this article on building permits for Melbourne outdoor living spaces.
The short answer, in most cases, is: yes. But don’t worry if you live in Melbourne and are looking to upgrade your outdoor living lifestyle: At Discounted Patios, we handle all of the paperwork for you when you choose to build a patio or outdoor living structure with us. We do this so that we can ensure a hassle-free, low-stress experience for our clients.
We also get approvals back faster than most, due to our efficient processes and organisation. Being local and supporting local, we also save time on delivery timeframes for materials. This means you can enjoy your new outdoor area sooner.
Inspirational patio designs
View our recent work for patio design inspiration
Incorporating Australian native plants into you backyard or patio design
If you are looking for Australian native garden ideas and patio/verandah design ideas, you can combine the two together to incorporate Australian native plantings into your outdoor living areas. We recently created a guide to doing just this. Check out Australian native garden ideas: small spaces, big impact. This guide has some great Australian native garden ideas for incorporating Australian native plants into your verandah, patio and overall landscaping and garden design.
Other patio inspiration, tips, tricks and information
From outdoor dining and outdoor seating, to native garden ideas, outdoor living design, how to choose the best patio or verandah for your home, and more
If you’re looking for more patio inspiration, tips, tricks and advice, here are some of our recent guides for inspiration. Whether you’re looking to understand ‘what is a patio?’, ‘what are the differences between the outdoor living options?’ or looking for Australian native garden ideas for your patio or verandah, or anything else to do with patios and outdoor living, chances are we have covered it in our blog.
Here are some of our recent articles and guides for more inspiration and advice. And of course, our team is always happy to help, too.
- How a patio can add value to your home: You’ll find the answers here in this guide: How to add value to your home (why you should build a patio)
- Want to know how to find the best outdoor living solutions for your home and lifestyle? You’ll find all the information here: How to find the best outdoor living solutions for your home and lifestyle
- Looking for patio design tips? Here’s a guide on how to choose the perfect patio design for your home: Choosing the perfect patio design for your home
- Outdoor dining and outdoor living spaces on a budget can be found on this guide: Outdoor living space ideas on a budget
- These two articles cover ideas on outdoor seating, outdoor living and general design ideas for small backyards: 10 Small outdoor space ideas and Creative small backyard ideas for big impact
- Tips for getting your outdoor living areas ready for summer can be found here: How to get your outdoor area ready for summer living
- If you’re looking for patio privacy screen, wall and decoration tips and ideas, we have you covered: 5 outdoor privacy screen ideas
- Verandah and patio styling ideas for impact: 10 Stylish verandah ideas for every home
- How to best enjoy your patio or verandah in the evening: 7 outdoor living design tips for relaxed evenings in Melbourne
- Tips for making the most of your patio or verandah in the cold months in Melbourne: Enjoying your patio or verandah in the Melbourne cold
- Looking for Australian native garden ideas? As we mentioned earlier, we recently created a guide with Australian native garden ideas that you can incorporate into your patio, porch, deck, verandah or pergola design and overall landscaping design. This guide covers some great Australian native garden ideas for your patio, verandah, porch and backyard gardens. Australian native garden ideas for your patios and verandahs: Australian native garden ideas: small spaces, big impact. In this way you can add the beauty of our country into your own backyard design and plantings from indigenous Australian plants to enjoy from your very own porch.
- Patio maintenance guides: everything you need to know to maintain your patio. Are you struggling with faded timber or want to know how you can protect your porch, deck or outdoor living structure so it can stand the test of time? Our recent guide on maintaining outdoor living areas should help. You can check it out here: A guide to maintaining your outdoor living spaces
Need expert advice?
We hope that this guide has answered all of your questions, from ‘What is a patio’ or ‘what is a patio vs a verandah’, how to choose the best option for your home, what the different types are, and everything else in between. Our experts are here to help you with everything else you need to know, too.
At Discounted Patios, our team is passionate about creating the spaces that you will love. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor living solution for a hilltop home, or at ground level, something that can incorporate a fabulous planting scheme, or something that matches contemporary home design that is popular along Victoria’s surf coast, or more of a chic country garden feel, our team love to help with solutions and advice. With decades of experience in Melbourne patios, pergolas, verandahs, carports, and decorating and privacy screens and walls for your outdoor living structures, we are experts at connecting your outdoor lounging and relaxing spaces with your spaces indoors.
A well-designed outdoor living space is transformative. Ready to upgrade your outdoor living lifestyle?
A great outdoor living area provides the perfect setting for relaxation and entertainment and adds value and enjoyment to your home.
At Discounted Patios, we are committed to helping you create a space that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
Contact us today to start your outdoor living project and experience the difference of working with Melbourne’s leading outdoor living specialists.
Ready to transform your outdoor space?
Get in touch with us today to learn more, get a quote or chat to our friendly team about the best solutions for your goals and needs. Let’s create the perfect outdoor living area for your home together.
