Includes how to information on customizing plans and patios; creating mortared brick and stone patios; building concrete patio stairs; and planning for a simple walk-out patio, a flagstone patio with pergola, courtyard patio with arbor, brick patio, pocket garden patio, garden courtyard, hillside patio with retaining wall, patio with a formal pond, two-level patio, wrap-around patio, multi-level patio with spa, split level garden patio, garden colonnade, and a split patio with private spa.

Includes index.

Design guidelines for a successful patio -- Site guidelines for a successful patio -- How to adapt a plan to your house -- Laying out and excavating the site -- Foundations -- Mortared brick and stone patios -- Posts, piers, and footings -- Concrete patio stairs -- Simple walk-out patio -- Flagstone patio with pergola -- Courtyard patio with arbor -- Brick patio -- Pocket garden patio -- Garden courtyard -- Hillside patio with retaining wall -- Patio with a formal pond -- Two-level patio -- Wrap-around patio -- Multi-level patio with spa -- Split level garden patio -- Garden colonnade -- Split patio with private spa.