Patio Size (Average & Covered Patio Dimensions Guide)

Here’s our patio size guide, including the average floor plan and total square footage, different dimensions for tables & chairs, and how big it should be.

Ideally, the perfect home will have a sizable yard perfect for relaxing and basking in the outdoors every morning or afternoon. However, that reality is not always the case for most homes, which makes considering the size available important before deciding on the perfect patio for a home to get as much out of the space as possible. 

Personal preference and the available space in your backyard will dictate how big a patio will be. Still, there are general sizing rules any homeowner can look into to ensure that it will fit their needs and, simultaneously make them spend less than they would need to.

Average Patio Size 

Many factors will decide what patio size you should choose, like whether it is for entertainment or you would rather have a private sanctuary for reading or meditating. Even having children is essential in their decision since some homeowners would like to designate a space as a play area. 

There is no set standard size for patios. They will have set measurements for suggestions ranging from small, medium, and large. 

Small patios will usually be 7 by 7 feet or about 2 by 2 meters. This size will be enough to accommodate a small bistro table plus two chairs anyone can use as a breakfast nest or a private knitting workspace. 

Medium-sized patios are usually 12 feet by 14 feet or 3.66 by 4.27 meters. It is a perfect size if homeowners love entertaining because it can accommodate a full dining table with six to eight chairs. 

Large patios are usually 16 feet by 18 feet or 4.88 by 5.49 meters. These are the perfect dimensions if homeowners want to make their outdoor space into an outdoor living room that will have lounge chairs and a couch available. 

Knowing the primary use of the space and how much space a homeowner will have available for the floor plan is the first step to figuring out the ideal measurements and plan. 

Primary uses: (maintain 3 feet clearance for pathways for house access)

• Sitting area – Alow 10 x 12 ft for lounge & entertaining area
• Outdoor kitchen – Allow 10 x 12 ft for foor prep area, bbq and storage space
• Outdoor dining area – Allow 10 x 12 feet for a table and chairs.

Patio Square Footage 

One easy way to figure out measurement is by looking at the square area of the house lot to use for the layout. Usually, it will be easy to determine the total square meters of the space since all you will need to do is multiply the size of the width and the length of the area. 

For a small bistro patio 7 by 7 feet in dimensions, the size in square meters is 40 square feet. Making sure that the space is functional and small enough to fit everything will be challenging for this size. 

A medium-sized patio at 12 by 14 feet will be 168 square feet in total. An excellent table for this outdoor dining space will usually be a circular round table at 48 inches in diameter. 

A large patio at 16 by 18 feet will have a total square area of 288 feet. This space allotment for living room furniture should allow at least a 3 feet clearance space around each piece of furniture. 

Covered Patio Dimensions

Covered patios have roofs over them, and it usually wouldn’t affect the entire size. Homeowners can follow the standard size suggestions or decide the size according to their space. 

Spaces with roofing will usuallyhave a larger floor plan meant for entertaining or an extension of a homeowner’s living room. Some of these patios will also have a fireplace or a fire pit for ambiance and warmth. 

Outdoor patios dedicated to this purpose usually have pergolas or a gazebo for shade. Concrete columns hold this roofing in or outside the designated space. 

You can also purchase DIY outdoor pavilion kits that can be assembled on top of your concrete surface. These range in size depending on your budget and needs.

Patio Sizing For Tables And Chairs 

Although standard patio sizes are there to guide any homeowner, sometimes the set square footage will feel cramped because there is no consideration made regarding furniture space or foot traffic. Here are some guidelines to help. 

For patios dedicated as a four-person dining area, a space of about 10 by 10 feet or 100 square feet will be enough. The size is 12 by 12 feet or about 144 square feet for six to eight people to fit comfortably. If any homeowner plans to use a rectangular table, the area around the table should be 5 or 6 feet longer and broader. 

For small patios with a reclining chair, a space of 4 by 7 feet will be enough; up the chair by two and you adjust the room a little at 7 by 7 feet. Conversation areas for more than two people will be highly functional at 10 by 10 feet. 

What Are Good Patio Measurements? 

A good patio size will accommodate all the activities any homeowner would like to use their space for, from smaller operations like a private breakfast nook to more extensive functions like entertaining. 

If the latter is what you are thinking of, a minimum patio size of about 550 square feet or about 51 square meters should be allocated. This will give every person in the space at least 25 square feet or 2.32 square meters to move around in the room freely. 

If you want an area to be big enough to hold at least 50 people for some reason, by using this method of measurement that will give each person at least 2.5 feet of space, the perfect measurement for you will be a layout of 1250 square feet or about 116.13 square meters. 

To find the total required space, multiply the space per person by the number of people:

How Big Should A Patio Be? 

A homeowner should decide how big a backyard lounging area will be. The first thing is looking at what the patio will be used for. Often, patio sizes are not decided with the full knowledge of what they will be used for. A designer usually lists all the details a homeowner would like to include  — features like a grilling station, fire pits, or a gathering zone. 

The second is how many people it will hold at a single time. Is it for a few people, or will it be hosting regular parties like an event place? The last thing to regard is the total size of your yard.

Visit our patio table umbrella size guide for more related content.