Cheap Patio

[yummyscummymummy01]

We currently have a little path around the outside of our house but no patio area. I'd love to have a really nice one done eventually but in the meantime need a cheap and cheerful idea for creating a little patio area. I've found an old post on her about possibly laying it on sand but have no idea how to do it. The area where the patio would sit is currently a mix of grass/mud with the little path next to the house. Any ideas on what might work?

Wood chip or stone chip like pea gravel? Over a weed smothering landscaping fabric. How big is the area?

About 3 by 5 meters. So not large

Have a look for second hand patio slabs - they can be laid on sand or plots, so it is relatively easy sometimes to take them up and they can be found for good prices.

To lay on sand, mark out the area you want it on, put on a good bed of sand, tamp down, and then lay the stones on it. You can fill the grouting gaps with more sand, or sand mixed with a bit of soil if you want to have plants growing through them.

I have a patch down the back that I retreat to when it's (v. rarely) too hot on the big patio at the back doors. I did it myself and it's hit and miss but does the job for a chair and a little table. I used the rubber matting squares (for playgrounds) and set them down on just mown grass with weed membrane underneath. They survived the Winter so far and although a bit wobbly in places didn't cost that much anyway. Amazon has them.

Don't use Indian sandstone. Looks shit after a year, full of black spots which are not removable.