Small backyard with lots of potential. We created the perfect space adding visual interest from inside the house to outside of it. We added a BBQ Island with Grill, sink, and plenty of counter space. BBQ Island was cover with stone veneer stone with a concrete counter top. Opposite side we match the veneer stone and concrete cap on a newly Outdoor fireplace. far side we added some post with bright colors and drought tolerant material and a special touch for the little girl in the family, since we did not wanted to forget about anyone. Photography by Zack Benson

Mere Point Residence

Whitten Architects

photography by Trent Bell
Contemporary patio in Portland Maine with decking and no cover.

Ozone Extension/Renovation

Liz Prater Design Home

Dmax Photography
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio in Perth with an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.

Poolside Retaining Wall with Built In Bench

User

Pool Decks, Swimming Pool Hardscapes, Custom Swimming Pool Design
Traditional patio in Philadelphia.

The Amber Courtyard by Alvarez Homes - New Home Builder in Tampa Florida

Alvarez Homes

Home builders in Tampa, Alvarez Homes designed The Amber model home. At Alvarez Homes, we have been catering to our clients' every design need since 1983. Every custom home that we build is a one-of-a-kind artful original. Give us a call at (813) 969-3033 to find out more. Photography by Jorge Alvarez.

Sydney Living

Dean Herald-Rolling Stone Landscapes

Rolling Stone Landscapes
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary courtyard patio in Sydney with a roof extension.

Rose Garden

Design Focus International

© Lauren Devon www.laurendevon.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional courtyard patio in San Francisco with natural stone pavers.

Miwa

Phil Kean Design Group

This contemporary home features clean lines and extensive details, a unique entrance of floating steps over moving water, attractive focal points, great flows of volumes and spaces, and incorporates large areas of indoor/outdoor living on both levels. Taking aging in place into consideration, there are master suites on both levels, elevator, and garage entrance. The home’s great room and kitchen open to the lanai, summer kitchen, and garden via folding and pocketing glass doors and uses a retractable screen concealed in the lanai. When the screen is lowered, it holds up to 90% of the home’s conditioned air and keeps out insects. The 2nd floor master and exercise rooms open to balconies. The challenge was to connect the main home to the existing guest house which was accomplished with a center garden and floating step walkway which mimics the main home’s entrance. The garden features a fountain, fire pit, pool, outdoor arbor dining area, and LED lighting under the floating steps.

Gathering House

Sandbox Studio®

Positioning the home as a conduit for family and togetherness, Gathering House is expanded to facilitate an open and engaging residential experience, melding both old and new within the one generous site. Taking references from the existing formal silhouette and materiality already in place, the focus became on extruding the original form while imbedding new principles of increased scale and openness throughout. Binding the interior to the larger landscape was also key, driving clear visual connections between inside and out and allowing the functions of the home to spill out into dedicated outdoor entertaining areas. The home celebrates coming together, dotted with moments of compression and release to align with varying levels of passive or active animation, retaining the familiar intimacy of home.

Lake Front Country Estate

Markalunas Architecture Group

Lake Front Country Estate Outdoor Shower, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling
Expansive traditional backyard patio in Other with natural stone pavers.

Wallingford Modern Farmhouse

Atelier Drome Architecture

Country patio in Seattle.

3rd Street

Space Intervention

Inspiration for a transitional backyard patio in Los Angeles with a pergola.

Clover Silver Rug

The Rugs Warehouse

This item is part of the Clover Rugs collection, which is a range of contemporary plain indoor/outdoor flat-woven rugs. Woven by hand from yarn made from recycled plastic bottles, rugs in this collection feature looped pile and decorative fringes. This collection is available in a selection of sizes and popular neutral greys, as well as blue and pink tones. In addition, the rugs practicality is enhanced by the fact that they are reversible and would work equally well in both your living room and outdoor spaces.

Wai’alae Tropical Modern

Peter Vincent Architects

The house opens in dramatic fashion to the golf course view. The Ipe rain-screens and trellis will weather naturally and over time will gracefully blend into the soft monochromatic color palette.

Contemporary Patio

Inspiration for a contemporary patio in San Francisco with tile and no cover.

Techo-Bloc Design Gallery

Inventive Landscape Creations

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard patio in Boston with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Custom Timber Shutters

Newport Custom Shutters

Custom timber shutters helped transform this space into a comfortable, cool dining space by adding deflection from the heat and protection from the weather.

Diagonal Lattice Fence & Arched Gate

Riverside Fence

Mid-sized traditional backyard patio in New York with a container garden and no cover.

Enhancing a Classic Charm

Braen Supply

Enhancing the Classic Charm The experts at Braen Supply were tasked with finding materials that would enhance the character and charm of this house, which was built in 1960. The homeowner was looking to give the older, existing walkway, driveway and patio a face lift that would bring it into the twenty first century. In addition to redoing those areas, the homeowner added a large fire pit in the backyard, which is surrounded by pea gravel, where friends and family can sit and enjoy the fire on a cool night. Boulders were added to the landscaping bringing depth and texture to the flowerbeds. The changes that were made to the home made a huge difference in the overall appearance of the house. It now has a modern look while still maintaining that classic charm feeling.

House in Town

Elliott Architects

Trent Bell
Transitional backyard patio in Other with a container garden, gravel and no cover.

Beige Patio Design Ideas

A patio is a paved outdoor area that adjoins a house, and is a popular addition to Australian and New Zealand homes. Not only is it yet another place to enjoy the great outdoors, but it can also save you time and money on landscaping. Often seen as an extension of the indoor living space, patios and courtyards can serve multiple functions. If you add outdoor furniture such as lounge chairs and a sofa, a barbecue or outdoor kitchen and a dining table and chairs, you can use them for entertaining, cooking, dining, and relaxing. Browse the Photos on Houzz for courtyard and patio designs to see how you can best utilise your existing outdoor area.

What materials should I use to construct my patio?

Stone pavers and bricks are the most common surface materials used for patios, while concrete, tiles and gravel are also popular. Stone paving is usually at the top end of the price bracket, but is highly durable and the most natural-looking of the surface materials available. Brick patios, on the other hand, are relatively easy to lay, and provide a warm, rich colour that can complement traditional homes. Concrete patios are one of the least expensive to build and are also very durable, while gravel is quick and easy to install. You will also need to decide whether you want your patio covered or left uncovered. You can add roofing if you plan on using the space regularly, or opt for a pergola, trellis or umbrella for shade instead. Patio enclosures, usually made from glass or mesh screens, can also transform your space into an outdoor room.

What outdoor patio furniture and decor should I include?

A patio can be so much more than just a paved slab, if you add the right additions. An outdoor kitchen and bar will help make the space the life of the party, while high-quality, low-slung chairs will make you want to stay outside for longer. If you have the budget, you may even consider adding a spa or pool. To make it the ideal al fresco area even when temperatures drop, a fire pit or fireplace will be able to keep you and your company toasty warm. To entice you and your guests into the space, make some room for greenery, even if you just a place a pot plant atop a table. It will help tie in the area to the surrounding garden. Fairy lights, garden torches and citronella candles will also help set the mood and keep the mozzies at bay, while soft furnishings such as waterproof rugs, pillows and chair cushions will add personality. For something striking, consider adding a water feature or wall garden. If you're ready to hire a landscape professional to help you with the job, browse our directory here!