The patio is the floor of your outdoor living space. Get it right and everything else, from the furniture to the fire pit to the outdoor kitchen, falls into place. Get it wrong and you end up with a slab that is too small, too hot or holding water against the house. As a landscape design-build company serving San Antonio and the Hill Country, we design patios as part of the whole yard. These are the backyard patio ideas we use most, with photos from our own projects around town.
1. Size the Patio for How You Will Use It
The most common mistake we see is a patio that is too small. A dining table for six needs roughly a 12 by 12 foot area with room to pull chairs out. A lounge set with a coffee table needs about the same. If you want both, plus a grill, plan for 300 to 400 square feet or more. We lay out the furniture on paper first, then size the patio around it.
2. Pavers for Pattern and Easy Repairs
Concrete pavers come in endless colors, sizes and patterns, and individual pavers can be lifted and reset if a utility needs to be reached or the ground settles. Herringbone, running bond and multi-size patterns each give a different feel. A contrasting soldier-course border frames the patio and gives it a finished look.
3. Travertine for a Cooler, Elegant Surface
Natural travertine stays noticeably cooler underfoot than dark concrete, which matters by a pool or for kids running barefoot. Its soft, natural look suits Mediterranean, Tuscan and Hill Country homes. See more about the difference between materials in our concrete vs. brick pavers guide.
4. Raised Patios on Sloped Lots
Many San Antonio and Hill Country yards slope away from the house. Instead of fighting the grade, we build a raised patio on a block retaining wall with steps down to the yard. It creates a level, usable space and a natural spot to look out over the view. Learn more on our retaining wall contractor page.
5. Stepping Pads and Gravel for a Modern Look
Large concrete or paver stepping pads set in black or gray gravel create a clean, modern patio that drains well and costs less than a full hardscape. It works great for side yards, fire pit areas and transitions between spaces.
6. Belgard Pavers With Limestone Edging
For a Hill Country look, we pair gray or tan pavers with native limestone edging and boulders. The limestone ties the patio into the landscape and the surrounding beds.
7. Add Shade, Fire and Light
A patio becomes an outdoor room when you add a cover or pergola for shade, a fire pit for cool evenings and low-voltage lighting for the night. See our patio cover ideas and outdoor kitchen ideas for more inspiration.
8. Do Not Skip Base Prep and Drainage
What you cannot see matters most. A properly excavated and compacted base, edge restraint and a slight slope away from the house keep a patio flat for decades. In our expansive clay soils, skipping these steps is why so many patios crack or sink. Our drainage team plans where water goes before we build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best patio material for San Antonio heat? Travertine and light-colored pavers stay the coolest. Dark concrete and dark pavers get the hottest in direct sun.
Pavers or concrete for a backyard patio? Concrete costs less up front. Pavers offer more design options, handle soil movement better and can be repaired one piece at a time. Compare options on our paver patio and concrete patio pages.
Can I finance a new patio? Yes. See our financing page.
Design Your New Patio
Hole In One Lawns is a licensed and insured landscape design-build company, a BBB Accredited Business, and was named 2025 Best Landscape Designer in San Antonio. Contact our team to schedule a design consultation, and browse our work for more finished patios.
