What Size Patio Do I Need for My Garden?
A practical guide for Chichester & West Sussex homeowners
One of the most common mistakes with patios isn’t the material — it’s the size. A patio that’s too small quickly feels cramped and underused, while one that’s well-proportioned becomes a natural extension of the home.
If you’re planning a patio in Chichester or nearby areas, this guide will help you work out what size patio you actually need, based on how you’ll use it, your garden layout, and your lifestyle.
Why Patio Size Matters
A patio should feel:
Comfortable, not cramped
Balanced with the rest of the garden
Practical for furniture and movement
Many patios are built just big enough for the slabs ordered — not big enough for real life.
Start With How You’ll Use the Patio
Before thinking about dimensions, think about function.
Ask yourself:
Will it be mainly for dining?
Seating and relaxing?
Entertaining guests?
Family use with children?
BBQs and social gatherings?
Your answers will drive the size far more than garden dimensions alone.
Minimum Patio Sizes (As a Rough Guide)
Bistro / Small Seating Area
Approx. 2.5m × 2.5m
Small table and chairs
Ideal for morning coffee or quiet seating
Best for compact gardens
Dining Patio (Table & Chairs)
Approx. 3m × 3.5m
4–6 seat dining set
Allows space to pull chairs out
One of the most popular sizes for family gardens
Entertaining / Multi-Use Patio
Approx. 4m × 5m or larger
Dining and seating zones
BBQ area
Space to move around comfortably
Ideal for hosting and family use
These are guidelines — not rules — but they highlight how quickly space is used once furniture is added.
Don’t Forget Space Around Furniture
A common mistake is sizing the patio to the furniture only.
You should allow:
900–1,000mm behind dining chairs
Clear walkways around seating
Space to open doors fully
Without this, patios feel tight even if they look fine on paper.
Patio Size vs Garden Size
Your patio doesn’t need to fill the garden.
A good rule of thumb:
The patio should feel proportionate
Leave space for planting, lawn, or play
Avoid dominating small gardens
In many West Sussex gardens, a slightly larger patio near the house works better than multiple small paved areas.
Shape Matters as Much as Size
Rectangular patios often:
Suit dining and furniture layouts better
Work well with modern paving like porcelain
More organic shapes can:
Soften traditional gardens
Blend with planting
Suit natural stone finishes
The best layout depends on the property and garden flow.
Planning for the Future
It’s worth thinking ahead.
Consider:
Growing children
Entertaining more often
Outdoor furniture upgrades
Pergolas or canopies later on
Building a patio slightly larger than you think you need often proves worthwhile.
Common Patio Sizing Mistakes
🚫 Building only to match existing paving
🚫 Not accounting for furniture movement
🚫 Ignoring door openings
🚫 Forgetting about steps or level changes
🚫 Designing without seeing the space marked out
Marking out the patio on the ground before building is one of the best ways to visualise it properly.
Professional Design Makes a Difference
Experienced installers don’t just lay slabs — they help you:
Choose practical dimensions
Balance patio and garden space
Get the most usable area
Avoid costly mistakes
Good sizing improves usability far more than expensive materials alone.
Patio Design & Installation in Chichester
A well-sized patio:
Feels natural to use
Works with your garden layout
Adds real value to your home
Gets used far more often
If you’re investing in a patio, getting the size right from the start makes all the difference.
If you are from Chichester or the surrounding areas such as Bosham, Fishbourne, Southbourne, Itchenor, Witterings, Rowlands Castle, Emsworth, and you’d like a quote, we would welcome you to visit our patio installation page, see examples of our work, and get in contact to book a visit for your quotation.
