This is an example of a large tropical backyard patio in Miami with tile and a roof extension.

Robert Whitworth Creative
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard patio in San Francisco with a water feature, brick pavers and a roof extension.

Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard patio in Jacksonville with an outdoor kitchen, tile and a roof extension.

Designed using the time proven durable, strong old world timber dovetailed framing combined blue ribbon awarded The Dovetail Difference™ mortise and tenon joint system, built to stand against strong winds and heavy mountainous snows, this fast and easy to install timber frame 24' x 19' pavilion and 12' x 12' gazebo kit is installed in just a few hours over a backyard patio area and hot tub on the back deck.

This poolside covered patio and outdoor kitchen by Outdoor Homescapes of Houston features a Big Green Egg kamado grill built into a stone island. The far side of the island is raised to accommodate bar seating. www.outdoorhomescapes.com

Mid-sized traditional backyard patio in Dallas with an outdoor kitchen, stamped concrete and a gazebo/cabana.

Draper White
Traditional patio in Denver with concrete slab and a roof extension.

Large skylight with aluminum frame around each pane of glass is sloped to offers natural light and contains no tinting. The unit was made by CrystaLite Inc., based in Everett, WA

This compact patio has a small pool and vibrant landscaping.
Small modern backyard patio in Dallas with a water feature, concrete slab and a roof extension.

Landscape Design: AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc. / Photography: Jeri Koegel
Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard patio in Orange County with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a gazebo/cabana.

Mid-sized traditional backyard patio in Nashville with a roof extension.

Inspiration for a large country backyard patio in Other with an outdoor kitchen, stamped concrete and a roof extension.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard patio in Denver with concrete pavers and a roof extension.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional backyard patio in San Francisco with an outdoor kitchen, brick pavers and a pergola.

We are so excited about this stylish Houston patio addition! It's one of our most recent outdoor living space design projects - and one of our new favorites! We particularly love the rustic corner fireplace, the beautiful, vaulted pine ceiling and the Restoration Hardware furniture and accessories. "Even though this space has an outdoor kitchen - often the highlight of our projects - the focus here is beautiful, comfortable outdoor living," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. "And I have to say, I think this is one of the most gorgeous spaces we've created for doing that - in style." "This project was special from the start, as we were creating this space for a friend of Wayne’s who had been a long time mentor to his boys growing up," adds Lisha Maxey, owner of LGH Designs in Houston (she coordinated furniture and finishes for the project). "This client was the principal of their high school and knew all of them very well and Wayne, too. This made it very personal, indeed, and we wanted everything to be perfect!" The 23- by 16-foot addition, located at the back of the house in Cypress, looks out onto a manmade lake in the homeowners' subdivision. The focal point? A 9-foot-8-inch-high-by-7-foot-wide corner fireplace in Earth Grey rustic ledgestone from Colorstone in Houston. The fireplace features a custom wooden mantel, stone bench seating and a 52-inch Sunbrite outdoor TV. Another highlight is the flooring - silver travertine tile laid out in a Versailles pattern. "We chose silver travertine in a 'Tumbled' color palette with variations of cream and brown," says Lisha. "So we had those two colors, plus grey, to pull from." The 7-foot-long, stucco outdoor kitchen island's countertops are also noteworthy - Absolute Black granite in a leathered finish offering a modern look and a dark grey hue that works perfectly with the color palette. The kitchen island also houses an RCS 30-inch grill and fridge. The seating area includes a sectional couch, coffee table, two swivel chairs and two ottomans - all from Restoration Hardware. "We used Restoration Hardware's Biscayne sectional, swivel chairs and ottomans in gray, with textured linen weave in Sand and cushions and peacock accent pillows in gray," says Lisha. The coffee table is made of solid teak with a concrete top - as is the matching side table. "We added a console table, also in teak, behind the sofa. And for accents, we added three Amalfi lanterns from Restoration Hardware in weathered zinc." A Sunbrella® Heathered area rug (in Gray) was added to anchor the space and visually tie it together. "The space as a whole leans towards a transitional style, in that it has many traditional cozy comforts and colors, but the furniture gives it a more contemporary look," says Lisha. "The idea from the beginning was to marry these two styles, as our clients wanted a look that would not age and be in vogue for years to come." On the exterior, you can see how we worked to make the addition blend with the existing home - matching the shingles and stucco and continuing the landscaping. 3D graphic renderings and a virtual video tour allowed the clients to know exactly what the space would look like beforehand. "It takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process," says Outdoor Homescapes' graphic designer, Kristy Buell Franks. "Floor plans and elevation drawings are good for giving an idea of the overall scope of the project, but it's the 3D renderings that really show what the space is going to look like." The 3D graphics and video tours also help immensely when choosing finishing materials and furniture, she says: "The clients' choices can be put into the design to allow the clients to see how the materials will work with the existing materials on the house and how the furniture will look in the space." What do you like about this space? Post a comment and let us know!

Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts backyard patio in Toronto with concrete pavers and a gazebo/cabana.

Photo of a mid-sized asian backyard patio in Seattle with an outdoor shower, gravel and a gazebo/cabana.

TrueVine Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard patio in Philadelphia with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Full view.
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard patio in Boise with concrete pavers, an outdoor kitchen and a pergola.