Two essential ingredients for a successful garden are:

• a path for convenience.
• a patio for relaxation.

Although grassy paths may look attractive, you have to cut them frequently to keep them useful, and in wet weather you really need a firm dry surface to access your garden. And you could put garden furniture on the lawn, but you will have to keep moving it around to prevent the grass dying, and in summer you will have to keep moving it to mow. Add to that the problem of wonky chairs and tables, and damage to metal or wood from the wet ground, and you can soon see the need for a proper sitting out area.