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While it may be fashionable to talk of this area as an `outdoor room' - which in theory should be as stylish as indoor rooms - the reality is most of us ignore it until the weather clears.
There's still time to take it hand, boot out those sad pub-style plastic stackable chairs and turn it into a perfect spot for summer lounging and entertaining.
According to television gardener Gay Search, author of a new book, The Impatient Gardener, there are three types - romantic, formal or strictly modern.
ROMANTIC STYLE: Best summed up as the traditional English cottage garden look, with curves and soft lines. Floor materials should be informal, with old bricks, gravel, or randomly laid paving slabs - sandstone's hardwearing and mellow. Complement the look with curved furniture in classic wood or rattan, and a profusion of terracotta or cast iron pots.
FURNITURE: Woolworths garden bench, £49.99; or the rattan Kim chair, £39, from the Pier. John Lewis, Colston table and chairs, £995.
TIP: Mix crazy paving with brick and roofing tiles for an interesting floor. Break up expanses of plain paving by removing a few at random intervals and planting with spreading plants.
FORMAL STYLE: Geometry and symmetry reign here. Lines are straight and angles square. Brick, stone slabs and gravel also feature but laid in regular patterns. There's room here for Eastern style furniture, and sleek white pots and a stunning water feature.
FURNITURE: Heal's Lombok range: a folding teak table, £295; Marks & Spencer's classic Suffolk collection: lounger, £199; table and four chairs, £599; Habitat's Citra range: teak and galvanised metal table, £195.
ACCESSORIES: Marks & Spencer whitewashed pots and birdbath, from £20. Heal's planters in black and polished steel, from £29.
STRICTLY MODERN STYLE: Floor materials which are textural and colourful such as slate, chippings or concrete can be dyed or polished.
Decking is still top favourite, but if it leads off a wooden indoor floor ensure it is laid in the same direction to enhance the feeling of space.
Echo the look with slim, metal furniture, and symmetrical groups of metal pots.
FURNITURE: Heal's Mouse white metal table, £39 and chair, £75; John Lewis Vela table, £149 and chair, £79. Asda's Blenheim steel patio set, £87.96 for a glass topped table, four chairs and black parasol.
ACCESSORIES: Asda's galvanised metal pots and a watering can. Three metallic pots, £2.42; 10 litre watering can, £5.47;£1.96 for a barrel and a bucket £1.55.
TIP: Industrial salvage like old wheels or stainless steel pipes can be a dramatic decoration in a pared down setting.
The Impatient Gardener by Gay Search, is published by Quadrille, priced £12.99. Available now.