Choosing the right patio design involves assessing your space, complementing your home’s style, and determining your needs.
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across Perth design and install their dream patios. In this guide, we’ll share the tips we’ve found most helpful during the design and planning stage.
How to Choose the Right Patio Design for your Perth Home: 5 Steps to Get Started
- Assess Your Needs and Space
- Match Your Home’s Style
- Find a Patio Roof Style to Match Your Needs
- Assess Patio Materials
- Discuss and Consult Your Plans with an Expert
Step 1. Assess Your Needs and Space
The first step in choosing the right patio design for your home is completing a thorough assessment of your home, yard, space, and layout.
Along with taking accurate measurements, you’ll have to consider weather, exposure, privacy, and budget.
Here are some helpful questions to help you choose the right patio design:
- How will the patio connect to your home? Consider how the space will flow between indoors and outdoors. Ensure no doors or pathways will be obstructed as this will detract from functionality and make the space look crammed.
- Are there existing features you’ll need to work around, such as a pool, garden, fences, sheds, driveway, slopes, or trees?
- What is your budget?
- Where does the sun hit throughout the day?
- How much of the yard is available to devote to the patio area?
- Are there privacy concerns to address?
Let Function Be Your Guide
Once you take accurate measurements and answer the questions above, determine how you intend to use the patio.
Common Perth patio uses include:
- Entertaining/hosting area
- Outdoor dining
- Outdoor kitchen and BBQ
- Kid-friendly play area
- Outdoor office
- Carport or storage area
- Relaxation space
- Reading nook
Step 2. Match Your Home’s Style
When designed well, a patio should look like a natural extension of a house. When we design and install patios, our goal is to create a seamless transition between interior and exterior living spaces.
We do this by complementing your home’s architecture, colours, and roof type. Complementing your home’s style will ensure your patio is a beautiful continuation of your home rather than just an afterthought.
Step 3. Find a Patio Roof Style to Match Your Needs
Here’s a look at common roof styles in our patio range to help narrow down which design is right for you.
Gable Patios
- What It Is: Gable patios feature a pitched, triangular roof
- Pros: Spacious, airy, adds a high degree of visual interest and beauty, and complements a variety of architectures
- Ideal For: Homeowners looking to maximise their space, add a stunning aesthetic, and ample natural light
- Examples: See some of our recent Gable Patio projects to learn more about this popular patio design option. For more inspiration, see our guide here: 10 Gable Patio Ideas and Examples for Your Home.
Flat Patios
- What It Is: Patios with a horizontal roof that are versatile, easily customised, and complementary to a variety of house styles
- Pros: Practical; cost-effective; timeless appearance that lets your home’s architecture stand out
- Ideal For: Contemporary homes with a modern design; homeowners seeking a clean-cut, sleek appearance and minimalist style
- Examples: Custom Flat Patio Perth
Dome/Curved Patios
- What It Is: Dome patios feature a signature curved roof that is instantly recognisable, airy, spacious, and visually captivating
- Pros: Make a space feel bigger with soaring ceiling height, modern appeal, and an eye-catching design
- Ideal For: Homeowners looking for elegance and sophistication combined with functionality, or homeowners who want to create the illusion of more space
- Examples: See some of our favourite designs on our Dome Patio Page or check out our recent Dome Style Carport Build.
Skillion Patios
- What It Is: A flat surface installed at a singular sloped angle
- Pros: Visually distinctive, functional, efficient water drainage, quick installation due to straightforward design
- Ideal For: With a sophisticated appearance, skillion patio roofs work well with trendy homes. They offer a perfect blend of function, timeless appeal, and sleek beauty.
We often recommend skillion patios for homeowners who need a unique roof angle or have limited space to work with. Their high degree of flexibility makes them highly adaptable to trickier spaces.
- Examples: View our recent skillion roof patio projects and learn more about this popular patio style here.
Hip End Patios
- What It Is: Similar to gable roof patios, hip-end patios feature a pitched roof with sloping ends for a classic look.
- Pros: Highly durable; sleek and modern design that complements a variety of architectural styles; interesting roof angles add visual interest and character; multiple slopes enable efficient water drainage
- Ideal for: Homeowners who want a high level of creative freedom and a visually stunning result
- Examples: View Hip End Patio styles here or read our guide comparing Gable vs. Hip End Patios to learn more.
Combination Patios
- What It Is: Combination patios feature a custom blend of patio styles to serve a multi-functional purpose
- Pros: Highly customisable and multi-purpose; mix and match according to your design and function needs
- Ideal For: Homeowners who want multi-functional patios that can serve several purposes, such as a carport and flat patio all-in-one.
- Examples: Scroll through our Combination Patio Page to see examples of how beautiful these custom designs can turn out. Or, check out our blog on creating the ultimate multi-function patio: 7 Creative Multi-Purpose Patio Ideas.
Freestanding Patios
- What It Is: A patio structure that is not attached to the home
- Pros: High level of flexibility in the design process; higher freedom when it comes to shape and size
- Ideal for: Flat and gable style patios work well as freestanding structures; great for carports
Step 4. Assess Patio Materials
While curved patios are almost always constructed from Polycarbonate materials, other design styles offer varied materials to choose from.
We recommend choosing materials that are sleek and visually appealing while still offering high durability and functionality.
We only supply and install the toughest materials that have been tested to withstand Australia’s scorching temps and UV rays.
Here’s an overview of our range of durable, low-maintenance patio materials.
Fielders C-Dek
We frequently recommend Fielders C-Dek range for its sleek appearance and ability to span large areas.
Advantages of C-dek include:
- Available in several different COLORBOND® colour combinations
- Complements a range of home styles
- Sleek, double-sided high-gloss finish for easy maintenance
- Smooth, clean lines
Bondor Solarspan
Bondor Solarspan is ideal for flat patio or low-pitch roofs and is available in a wide range of colour options.
Advantages of Bondor Solarspan include:
- Rigorously tested
- Great for covering long, unsupported spans
- High thermal efficiency
Stratco Smoothdek
Stratco’s Smoothdek is a unique roofing solution that works exceptionally well with low roof pitches.
Here are some of the reasons we frequently recommend Stratco Smoothdek:
- Reduces heat from overhead sunlight to create a naturally cooler space
- Highly durable combination of polystyrene and steel
- Built to withstand heavy rain, high winds, and harsh UV rays
- Rapid installation
- Strong profile, enabling a wide span between supports
- Minimised risk of roof leakage
Stratco Cooldek
Stratco Cooldeck is a durable, insulated roof option. While other insulated patio roofs offer limited colour options, Cooldek is available in several top-side and under-side colour combos.
Stratco Cooldek advantages include:
- All-in-one patio roofing solution
- Dramatically reduces heat from overhead sunlight to keep your patio naturally cooler
- Withstand harsh weather conditions with ease, such as heavy rain or high winds
Step 5. Discuss and Consult Your Plans with an Expert
We know this is a lot to consider, so Step #5 is consulting with a patio design expert. This ensures the smoothest process and best outcome.
When you work with our team at Aussie Patio Designs, we’ll take your dream patio vision and bring it to life.
We ensure your design complements your home, complies with all local regulations, and will fit your lifestyle and needs.
Tips for Choosing the Right Patio Design Style
Decide Between an Insulated vs. Non-Insulated Patio Roof
Insulated vs non-insulated patio roofs differ in appearance, function, temperature regulation, and cost.
Insulated patio roofs incorporate a thin layer of foam between the roof and ceiling. This polystyrene foam acts as a thermal regulator and also dampens sounds.
Insulated patio roofs are ideal if you:
- Want to maximise energy efficiency
- Want noise-dampening properties
- Plan to spend time in your patio year-round
- Want maximum temperature regulation (ie, stay naturally cooler in the hot summer months and cosier in winter)
- Want added durability and performance
- Want extra protection against the elements
A non-insulated patio roof can work well if your budget is limited or you only intend to use your patio occasionally.
For more guidance and deciding between the two, see our guide here: Key Differences Between Insulated vs. Non-Insulated Patio Roofs
Consider Maintenance
This isn’t as fun as imagining how you’ll decorate a patio, but maintenance is a big concern. If low-maintenance is your priority, the right patio design will focus on durable materials that withstand the elements and resist build-up.
For the ultimate low-maintenance patio, we’re huge fans of Colorbond Steel for its robust quality and high durability.
Double Check Local Council Regulations
Depending on where you live, local regulations might restrict the size or shape of the patio you can build. We recommend checking with your local council early in the planning process to get an idea of any restrictions.
Learn more about the patio approval process in our guide: Patio Shire Approval Process in Perth: How to Get a Patio Approval.
Not interested in messing with paperwork or deciphering regulations? When you work with Aussie Patio Designs, we handle all that for you. We take care of all the details, arranging submissions for your local council and ensuring all regulations are adhered to.
Consider Complementary Colours
Colour plays a significant role in patio design. Consider colours that complement your home’s exterior and fit the function of your space.
View our range of patio colour options here: Our Patio Colour Range. For the widest range of colour options, we recommend Bondor Solarspan.
Custom Perth Patios Designed for Your Home and Needs
The right patio design will match your needs and lifestyle and work in harmony with your home’s architecture.
Need guidance deciding which patio design will best suit your home, yard, and lifestyle? We’ve enjoyed building dream patios for Perth homeowners for over 26 years, and we’d be honoured to help with yours!
See some of our favourite patio builds for inspiration as you decide on the right patio design. Or, get in touch with our team of professional patio designers. We’d love to hear your ideas! Reach out for your free design consult.
