Grande Entrance & Retaining Wall - Bluestone, Retaining Wall, Steps, Walkway

The first goal for this client in Chatham was to give them a front walk and entrance that was beautiful and grande. We decided to use natural blue bluestone tiles of random sizes. We integrated a custom cut 6" x 9" bluestone border and ran it continuous throughout. Our second goal was to give them walking access from their driveway to their front door. Because their driveway was considerably lower than the front of their home, we needed to cut in a set of steps through their driveway retaining wall, include a number of turns and bridge the walkways with multiple landings. While doing this, we wanted to keep continuity within the building products of choice. We used real stone veneer to side all walls and stair risers to match what was already on the house. We used 2" thick bluestone caps for all stair treads and retaining wall caps. We installed the matching real stone veneer to the face and sides of the retaining wall. All of the bluestone caps were custom cut to seamlessly round all turns. We are very proud of this finished product. We are also very proud to have had the opportunity to work for this family. What amazing people. #GreatWorkForGreatPeople As a side note regarding this phase - throughout the construction, numerous local builders stopped at our job to take pictures of our work. #UltimateCompliment #PrimeIsInTheLead

Hot Tub with City View

Wolf Design Studio

Large modern backyard patio in Los Angeles with a vertical garden, decking and no cover.

Outdoor Living Contractors Nashville

RSU Contractors

This is an example of a large traditional backyard patio in Nashville with concrete slab, a roof extension and with fireplace.

Project of the Month: June 2016

TCP Custom Outdoor Living

American traditional Spring Valley home looking to add an outdoor living room designed and built to look original to the home building on the existing trim detail and infusing some fresh finish options. Project highlights include: split brick with decorative craftsman columns, wet stamped concrete and coffered ceiling with oversized beams and T&G recessed ceiling. 2 French doors were added for access to the new living space. We also included a wireless TV/Sound package and a complete pressure wash and repaint of home. Photo Credit: TK Images

Mangaris Wood Custom Patio Screen

Outside InStyle

Mangaris wood privacy screen with changing widths to add interest. Porch wood screen blocks barbeque from deck patio view. Photo by Katrina Coombs
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio in Los Angeles with an outdoor kitchen, decking and a pergola.

Fire Features

Markham Landscape Products, Inc.

Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Large contemporary backyard patio in Charlotte with a fire feature and concrete slab.

Guest House in Laytonsville

Lofgren Construction

Mid-sized traditional backyard patio in DC Metro with natural stone pavers and a pergola.

Outdoor living

Monarch & Maker

The pergola, above the uppermost horizontal 'strip' of cedar, is a bronze poly-carbonate, which allows light to come through, but which blocks UV rays and keeps out the rain. It's also available in clear, and a few more colors.

Custom Patio doors

Wood Windows, Inc.

Milgard Essence fiberglass clad / wood interior sliding door.Lifetime warranty that includes accidental glass breakage.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard patio in Boise with an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.

Ridges Las Vegas 2014

Modify Your Space

Arslan Gusengadzhiev
Small contemporary courtyard patio in Las Vegas with a container garden, concrete pavers and no cover.

Fire Pits

Affordable Hardscapes of Virginia

At Affordable Hardscapes of Virginia we view ourselves as "Exterior Designers" taking outdoor areas and making them functional, beautiful and pleasurable. Our exciting new approaches to traditional landscaping challenges result in outdoor living areas your family can cherish forever. Affordable Hardscapes of Virginia is a Design-Build company specializing in unique hardscape design and construction. Our Paver Patios, Retaining Walls, Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits add value to your property and bring your quality of life to a new level.

California Country

David Thorne Landscape Architect

An indoor-outdoor banquet room with attached bar and hearth is a natural gathering place to overlook the serenity of the pool, lawn and gardens. Photography by Marion Brenner

Deck + Firepit

Artistic Concrete Surfaces

Lindsey Denny
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard patio in Kansas City with a fire feature, stamped concrete and a roof extension.

Fireplaces & Fire Pits - Compact Stonewall Fire Pit and Patio

Red Valley Landscape & Construction Inc

Perfect for compact backyard, this cozy area encloses a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, several seating areas, and landscaping.
Small arts and crafts backyard patio in Oklahoma City with a fire feature and concrete slab.

Little Horn Residence

AquaTerra Outdoors

This gourmet kitchen includes wood burning pizza oven, grill, side burner, egg smoker, sink, refrigerator, trash chute, serving station and more! Photography: Daniel Driensky

Courtyard of period cottage, Rye

Cornus Garden Design

This lovely old red brick wall was too good to waste so iron pot holders were sourced and now carry clay pots with a range of useful herbs, just a step from the kitchen door.

Quince Reverse Shed Eichler

Guy Ayers, Architect

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Northeast Courtyard View - Covered Awining

Krueger Architects

Ulimited Style Photography http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/49412194/list/patio-details-a-relaxing-front-yard-retreat-in-los-angeles

Outdoor Spaces

Offenbachers Home Escapes

The furniture you see here features a classic English motif with clean, flowing lines. This is a substantial, enduring collection cast from high-grade, rust-free aluminum alloy. Cushions available in over 100 Sunbrella fabrics. Come see this furniture exclusively at our Reston, Virginia showroom. Or visit us online at www.HomeEscapes.com.

Newton Contemporary

Sage Builders LLC

Ipe, exterior stairs, patio, covered patio, terrace, balcony, deck, landscaping
This is an example of a large contemporary backyard patio in Boston with natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Brown 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!