I have a small area between two ponds that I don't know what to do with. If it were just the patio area, I'd probably have no problem deciding, but my problem is more that I don't know how to tie the patio area to the two pathways that the patio will lead to. One pathway will obviously lead to the shed. The second pathway you can't see from this photo, but it comes up from down behind the pond (down by the hemlock trees) and then alongside the front of the shed, intersecting with the pathway to the shed (from the patio), and then it vears off to the right where it continues into the woodsy area to the right of the shed. I plan to have a woodland type garden there which the path will meander through. I am thinking the path into the woods should be something natural looking - a mulch path, for example, instead of stone. And I just don't know how to tie it all together.
My first pick for the patio area is a stepping stone path from the bridge toward the shed, a bench on each side (one already exists in photo) and some more plantings in between. Would it look foolish to intersect a mulch path with a stepping stone path??
Second idea is a natural stone patio between the ponds, set the benches on top and then maybe some container plantings. How do I transition to the pathways from a solid stone patio?
Third idea (which is my least favorite) is a gravel patio and gravel paths...
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance for your help!
