L shaped patio dining lounging | Patio

Design decision

Why this idea works

The L shape lets dining stay close to the house while a lounge area feels slightly separate. A planted inside corner can create a buffer rather than leaving an awkward hard-to-use angle.

The tradeoff: The fixed features give the patio a clear purpose, but they reduce room for later changes. Measure each leg and the inside corner carefully; the shape should support use zones rather than simply follow a decorative outline.
How to measure it: Conceptual range: two legs roughly 10 × 14 ft to 14 × 18 ft, each sized around its actual furniture zone.

On your property

Plan it for your site

Use one consistent finish and let joints follow the L-shaped geometry. Keep panel ratios balanced and do not create narrow legs that are difficult to furnish or joint cleanly.

Allow full chair pullback in the dining leg and a clear route around it.
Keep the inside corner planted edge below slab elevation and manage water at the re-entrant corner.
Estimate the two rectangles separately rather than approximating the L as one oversized slab.

Before forms are set

Build implications

Confirm before estimating Actual furniture dimensions, door swing, gates, and lawn access.
Confirm before estimating Joint layout at the inside corner and any isolation at house walls.
Confirm before estimating Drainage direction across both legs and the planted inner corner.
Measure the site and establish elevations Record boundaries, thresholds, grade changes, utilities, and the dimensions of vehicles, furniture, equipment, or structures that affect the layout.
Test how the space will be used Check walking routes, turning paths, door swings, working clearances, maintenance access, and the route back to the house or street.
Resolve drainage, services, and structural support Decide where water goes and coordinate drains, conduit, irrigation, fuel, electrical work, footings, and independent supports before forms are set.
Define and estimate each concrete element Confirm the slab or footing section, base, joints, edges, and finish, then estimate simple measurable fields separately from steps, walls, drains, and supported features.

Prevent these problems

Crowding the usable areaFurniture can fit in a drawing while still blocking doors, chair movement, serving routes, or the direct path back to the house.
Sending water toward the houseA terrace that appears level can hold runoff at thresholds unless finished elevations and a discharge route are established first.
Treating added features as decorationPergolas, fire features, kitchens, walls, and planters need their own supports, clearances, utilities, drainage, and maintenance access.

Next step

Turn the idea into your estimate

Enter dimensions measured on the property. The conceptual image does not provide a takeoff.

Estimate your patio

Questions this idea raises

How do you calculate an L-shaped concrete patio?

Break it into two rectangles, calculate each section, and avoid double-counting the overlap. Measure any steps, curves, or thickened edges separately.

Why add a planting area in the inside corner?

A planted inside corner can soften the geometry and reduce an awkward hard-surface angle, but it still needs drainage and enough usable patio width around it.

Best when: Backyard with two distinct uses, a rear door near one leg, and enough width to avoid narrow leftover strips.
Reconsider when: Reconsider the idea if drainage, circulation, and support for added features cannot be resolved on the property.
Verify first: Measure each leg and the inside corner carefully; the shape should support use zones rather than simply follow a decorative outline.
Professional input: Concrete contractor; specialist review for supported structures, fire features, or utilities

Sources and further reading

NRMCA CIP 6: Joints in Concrete Slabs on GradeA concise industry reference for planning panel and control joints on a patio slab instead of improvising them.
Building America Solution Center: Slope Patios Away from the HouseDOE-affiliated guidance on setting patio grade so surface water moves away from the house.
NRMCA CIP 11: Curing In-Place ConcretePractical guidance on curing methods and timing for new concrete.

Read the slab planning guide