This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard patio in Portland with gravel and a fire feature.

Photos: Anthony Dimaano
Inspiration for a country backyard patio in San Francisco with a fire feature.

A Memorial area family commissioned us to create a natural swimming pool in their back yard. The family already had a standard pool on premises, but it was isolated in an area of the yard not particularly suited to seating guests or hosting get-togethers. What they wanted was a second, natural swimming pool built that would serve as the hub of a new home outdoor entertainment area consisting of a new stone patio, comfortable outdoor seating, and a fire pit. They wanted to create something unique that would preserve as much of the natural features of the landscape as possible, but that would also be completely safe and fully functional as a swimming pool. We decided to design this new landscaping plan around a pre-existent waterfall that was already on the property. This feature was too attractive to ignore, and provided the ideal anchor point for a new gathering area. The fountain had been designed to mimic a natural waterfall, with stones laid on top of one another in such a way as to look like a mountain cliff where water spontaneously springs from the top and cascades down the rocks. At first glance, many would miss the opportunity that such a structure provides; assuming that a fountain designed like a cliff would have to be completely replaced to install a natural swimming pool. Our landscaping designers, however, came up with a landscape plan to transform one archetypal form into the other by simply adding to what was already there. At the base of the rocks we dug a basin. This basin was oblong in shape and varied in degrees of depth ranging from a few inches on the end to five feet in the middle. We directed the flow of the water toward one end of the basin, so that it flowed into the depression and created a swimming pool at the base of the rocks. This was easy to accomplish because the fountain lay parallel to the top of a natural ravine located toward the back of the property, so water flow was maintained by gravity. This had the secondary effect of creating a new natural aesthetic. The addition of the basin transformed the fountain’s appearance to look more like a cliff you would see in a river, where the elevation suddenly drops, and water rushes over a series of rocks into a deeper pool below. Children and guests swimming in this new structure could actually imagine themselves in a Rocky Mountain River. We then heated the swimming pool so it could be enjoyed in the winter as well as the summer, and we also lit the pool using two types of luminaries for complimentary effects. For vegetation, we used mercury vapor down lights to backlight surrounding trees and to bring out the green color of foliage in and around the top of the rocks. For the brown color of the rocks themselves, and to create a sparkling luminance rising up and out of the water, we installed incandescent, underwater up lights. The lights were GFIC protected to make the natural swimming pool shock proof and safe for human use.

Photo of a traditional backyard patio in New York with a fire feature and a pergola.

Rocco Smith Photography
Inspiration for a traditional patio in New York with brick pavers and a fire feature.

Pavers set into lawn lend a distinctive modernistic feel to the landscape
This is an example of a contemporary patio in Chicago with a fire feature.

modern backyard with tudor home in Portland Oregon
Contemporary backyard patio in Portland with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

extension of pool area with a fire pit and comfortable , colorful seating. great outdoor lighting.
Design ideas for a large midcentury backyard patio with a fire feature, gravel and no cover.

The distinct spaces can be seen from this overhead view. The dining space is separated from the social space by three large containers on one side and from the fire pit by a low profile planting bed on the other side. A small grill with counter is conveniently located near the three season room. Landscape design by John Algozzini. Photo courtesy of Mike Crews Photography.

Jeff Rak
This is an example of a large country backyard patio in Cleveland with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Natural stone patio and firepit overlooking Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata.
Design ideas for an expansive traditional backyard patio in Minneapolis with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Photo of a transitional patio in Other with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Transitional backyard patio in Dallas with a fire feature, brick pavers and no cover.

Our client wanted to create a fresh outdoor living space within their outdated backyard and to give a makeover to their entire property. The overall setting was a tremendous asset to the spaces - a large wetland area just behind their home, full of interesting birds and wildlife that the homeowner values. We designed and built a spacious covered outdoor living space as the backyard focal point. The kitchen and bar area feature a Hestan grill, kegerator and refrigerator along with ample counter space. This structure is heated by Infratech heaters for maximum all-season use. An array of six skylights allows light into the space and the adjacent windows. While the covered space is the focal point of the backyard, the entire property was redesigned to include a bluestone patio and pathway, dry creek bed, new planting, extensive low voltage outdoor lighting and a new entry monument. The design fits seamlessly among the existing mature trees and the backdrop of a beautiful wetland area beyond. The structure feels as if it has always been a part of the home. William Wright Photography

This is an example of a country patio in Cleveland with a fire feature and no cover.

Stacked flagstone has been used for centuries for small garden walls and pillars. With Rivercrest Wall, you get the character and flexibility of natural stone combined with the durability and affordability of concrete.

This patio and Fire Boulder were part of a total backyard overhaul! We installed this beautiful Fire Boulder atop Techo-Bloc Blu 60 pavers in Mojave Beige. The matching Mojave Beige Mini Creta sitting wall capped with Portofino wall cap in Chocolate brown completes the entertainment space created by the fire pit.

Christa Tippmann Photography
Midcentury backyard patio in Denver with a fire feature, concrete slab and a roof extension.

Stamped concrete patio with fieldstone pattern, the darker gray border, and the curves makes this patio look amazing.
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard patio in Other with a fire feature, stamped concrete and no cover.