One great way to shape your outdoor entertaining is with a patio or deck. Both home improvement projects can do wonders for extending your reach into the outdoors while providing a good place for lounging and entertaining.

Installing a Patio: Some Thoughts
We once installed a slate patio ourselves, with several friends helping, and it was worth it in the end. We picked a patio because it fit in with our landscaping and allowed us to walk from the patio to the yard. If you nestle shrubs and flowerbeds around a patio, they can become a natural part of the landscaping, surrounding your patio with life and bright colors.

However, if you are thinking of installing your own patio, remember that both the preparation and building of the deck take time and preparation. You may want to enlist the assistance of a contractor, as patio installation typically requires design work, the right tools and labor, as well as significant amounts of heavy lifting.

Should You Install a Deck?
Decks can also be a great addition, but may fit better in a setting where the terrain is not so even and you want to come out from a kitchen that is raised up from the ground. Deck contractors do not always build patios, so you may need to interview different contractors depending on which route you take. For the do-it-yourselfers, I always recommend caution when it comes to building a deck. Do you have the time, materials, and carpentry skills to make it work?

Get Creative When Installing a Patio or Deck
Regardless which home improvement project you choose, look for quality materials and get a little fancy with the shapes. Many people do rectangular patios, which can seem stark. Try adding a few curves where you can add a fire pit or small seating area.

If you are looking for ideas, pictures of decks and patios can be a good place to start. Using the ideas of others can help you refine what you want in your deck or patio–from size and shape, to style and color.