House shoot on location for Hazel Mill, Slad.
Photo of an expansive country patio in Gloucestershire.

Expansive country backyard patio in Salt Lake City with an outdoor kitchen, concrete pavers and a pergola.

photography by Andrea Calo
Inspiration for an expansive transitional backyard patio in Austin with a pergola and an outdoor shower.

Tim Burleson
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary backyard patio in Other with with fireplace, concrete slab and a pergola.

Framed by lush palms and a serene water view backyard, this modern outdoor living space blends tropical calm with upscale design. The contemporary patio design features cushioned poolside lounge seating under a shaded pergola, overlooking a crystal-clear modern swimming pool that mirrors the sky. An inviting backyard oasis, the layout includes artificial grass accents, patio lounge chairs, and warm stone tiling—ideal for both quiet relaxation and stylish entertaining. Every detail, from the resort-style home exterior to the curated poolside décor, evokes a refined, coastal backyard design perfect for elevated waterfront living.

This luxurious firepit area in Atherton, California, seamlessly blends modern and traditional elements to create a serene oasis. The sunken fire pit is surrounded by a spacious stone patio, perfect for lounging and entertaining. Comfortable lounge chairs and an umbrella provide shade and relaxation, while a built-in fire pit creates a cozy gathering spot. The surrounding landscape is lush with greenery, including mature trees and shrubs, creating a sense of privacy and seclusion. This private backyard retreat is perfect for enjoying the California sunshine and escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Photo of an expansive country backyard patio in Milwaukee with natural stone pavers.

Combining a classic aesthetic with modernist design principles, the home is a marriage of light and dark. Clear-coated alder planks clad the ceiling, keeping the mood light and bright. The flooring is porcelain tile; the fireplace wall is a textured black granite. Project // Ebony and Ivory Paradise Valley, Arizona Architecture: Drewett Works Builder: Bedbrock Developers Interiors: Mara Interior Design - Mara Green Landscape: Bedbrock Developers Photography: Werner Segarra Flooring: Facings of America Limestone walls: Solstice Stone Fireplace buildout: Cactus Stone https://www.drewettworks.com/ebony-and-ivory/

The beauty and resiliency of a natural Travertine patio make it a perfect choice for any outdoor environment. With rich tones and inherent shade variations, its use adds warmth and elegance to any setting. This multi-faceted outdoor living combination space in Dallas by Archadeck of Northeast Dallas encompasses a covered patio space, expansive patio with overhead pergola, custom outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchen and much more!

View of second guest house.
Design ideas for an expansive modern patio in San Francisco.

Designed and constructed with a clean and timeless look, this home is a reflection of the perfect transitional design. From the light wood floors with white walls to the espresso wood accent, the features of this home allow for the timeless design to be ageless. Keeping the furniture a dark wood tone paired with white fabrics also allows them to use accent colors through the seasons.

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary backyard patio in Orange County with an outdoor kitchen, concrete pavers and no cover.

Challenge This 2001 riverfront home was purchased by the owners in 2015 and immediately renovated. Progressive Design Build was hired at that time to remodel the interior, with tentative plans to remodel their outdoor living space as a second phase design/build remodel. True to their word, after completing the interior remodel, this young family turned to Progressive Design Build in 2017 to address known zoning regulations and restrictions in their backyard and build an outdoor living space that was fit for entertaining and everyday use. The homeowners wanted a pool and spa, outdoor living room, kitchen, fireplace and covered patio. They also wanted to stay true to their home’s Old Florida style architecture while also adding a Jamaican influence to the ceiling detail, which held sentimental value to the homeowners who honeymooned in Jamaica. Solution To tackle the known zoning regulations and restrictions in the backyard, the homeowners researched and applied for a variance. With the variance in hand, Progressive Design Build sat down with the homeowners to review several design options. These options included: Option 1) Modifications to the original pool design, changing it to be longer and narrower and comply with an existing drainage easement Option 2) Two different layouts of the outdoor living area Option 3) Two different height elevations and options for the fire pit area Option 4) A proposed breezeway connecting the new area with the existing home After reviewing the options, the homeowners chose the design that placed the pool on the backside of the house and the outdoor living area on the west side of the home (Option 1). It was important to build a patio structure that could sustain a hurricane (a Southwest Florida necessity), and provide substantial sun protection. The new covered area was supported by structural columns and designed as an open-air porch (with no screens) to allow for an unimpeded view of the Caloosahatchee River. The open porch design also made the area feel larger, and the roof extension was built with substantial strength to survive severe weather conditions. The pool and spa were connected to the adjoining patio area, designed to flow seamlessly into the next. The pool deck was designed intentionally in a 3-color blend of concrete brick with freeform edge detail to mimic the natural river setting. Bringing the outdoors inside, the pool and fire pit were slightly elevated to create a small separation of space. Result All of the desirable amenities of a screened porch were built into an open porch, including electrical outlets, a ceiling fan/light kit, TV, audio speakers, and a fireplace. The outdoor living area was finished off with additional storage for cushions, ample lighting, an outdoor dining area, a smoker, a grill, a double-side burner, an under cabinet refrigerator, a major ventilation system, and water supply plumbing that delivers hot and cold water to the sinks. Because the porch is under a roof, we had the option to use classy woods that would give the structure a natural look and feel. We chose a dark cypress ceiling with a gloss finish, replicating the same detail that the homeowners experienced in Jamaica. This created a deep visceral and emotional reaction from the homeowners to their new backyard. The family now spends more time outdoors enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Their professional lives allow them to take a trip to paradise right in their backyard—stealing moments that reflect on the past, but are also enjoyed in the present.

The landscape of this home honors the formality of Spanish Colonial / Santa Barbara Style early homes in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix. By re-grading the lot and allowing for terraced opportunities, we featured a variety of hardscape stone, brick, and decorative tiles that reinforce the eclectic Spanish Colonial feel. Cantera and La Negra volcanic stone, brick, natural field stone, and handcrafted Spanish decorative tiles are used to establish interest throughout the property. A front courtyard patio includes a hand painted tile fountain and sitting area near the outdoor fire place. This patio features formal Boxwood hedges, Hibiscus, and a rose garden set in pea gravel. The living room of the home opens to an outdoor living area which is raised three feet above the pool. This allowed for opportunity to feature handcrafted Spanish tiles and raised planters. The side courtyard, with stepping stones and Dichondra grass, surrounds a focal Crape Myrtle tree. One focal point of the back patio is a 24-foot hand-hammered wrought iron trellis, anchored with a stone wall water feature. We added a pizza oven and barbecue, bistro lights, and hanging flower baskets to complete the intimate outdoor dining space. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Higgins Architects Landscape Contractor: Premier Environments Photography: Scott Sandler

This French Villa backyard retreat highlights luxury architecture and custom patio design. A pergola with exposed heavy wooden beams frames two hanging swings and petrified wood coffee tables. The exterior fireplace with tile and stone detail serves as the focal point, overlooking a serene pool and spa. Porcelain pavers, bricks & masonry, plush pillows, and exterior furniture create an inviting outdoor living room, enhanced by string lights, urns, and layered exterior lighting.

This is an example of an expansive modern backyard patio in Other with a fire feature and stamped concrete.

Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design, & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Photography by Raquel Langworthy Shop the East Hampton New Traditional accessories at the Chango Shop!

photography by Andrea Calo
Design ideas for an expansive transitional backyard patio in Austin with a container garden and a gazebo/cabana.

Expansive transitional backyard patio in San Diego with tile and a roof extension.