With bright outdoor upholstery fabrics, this patio on the golf course was inviting and fun. A pop of color on the exterior doors that fully opened into the interior made indoor/outdoor living a breeze.

Mid-Century Outdoor Sanctuary

Kraft Custom Construction

After completing an interior remodel for this mid-century home in the South Salem hills, we revived the old, rundown backyard and transformed it into an outdoor living room that reflects the openness of the new interior living space. We tied the outside and inside together to create a cohesive connection between the two. The yard was spread out with multiple elevations and tiers, throughout which we used WORD MISSING to create “outdoor rooms” with separate seating, eating and gardening areas that flowed seamlessly from one to another. We installed a fire pit in the seating area; built-in pizza oven, wok and bar-b-que in the outdoor kitchen; and a soaking tub on the lower deck. The concrete dining table doubled as a ping-pong table and required a boom truck to lift the pieces over the house and into the backyard. The result is an outdoor sanctuary the homeowners can effortlessly enjoy year-round.

Beaverton Mid Century Modern

Chinick Landscaping & Nursery

Design by Candace Chinick. This entry courtyard provides a dining space, uplighting on the wall, an herb container by the kitchen, two insets in the courtyard wall--one to screen the barbecue and one for the bins, furthest away.

Less Is More.....Unless It's A Bore

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Landscape design by Bob Hursthouse and Josh Griffin.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury backyard patio in Chicago with a container garden and natural stone pavers.

Mid Century Modern Home

Riverdell Construction, Inc.

Jesse Smith
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury courtyard patio in Portland with a container garden, concrete slab and no cover.

Hollywood

Jeremy Taylor Landscapes

Jeremy Taylor designed the Landscape as well as the Building Facade and Hardscape.
Design ideas for a midcentury side yard patio in Los Angeles with a container garden, brick pavers and a pergola.

Capital Hill Townhouse - Seattle, WA

Carrie Case Designs

Carrie Case Designs
Design ideas for a small midcentury courtyard patio in Seattle with a container garden and no cover.

Lovely split-level driveway and entryway.

Beall's Nursery & Landscaping

mid-century home updated with paver driveway, steps and path.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury front yard patio in Other with a container garden, brick pavers and no cover.

Marin County Eichler

Peter Lyons Photography

A beautiful Eichler home in Marin County, CA, renovated and represented by Marika Sakellariou. Photo by Peter Lyons Photography
Photo of a midcentury patio in San Francisco with a container garden.

Exterior Styling - Palm Springs

Blooming Desert

Exterior styling project at the Avalon Hotel in Palm Springs, CA. for Modernism Week using the Steel Life planter line.
Photo of a midcentury courtyard patio in Other with a container garden.

Midcentury Modern Hillside 1.0

Soulful Nest

Designed Midcentury Modern home for a Marin County Real Estate Investor. Used simple modern lines for the patio and decks.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury front yard patio in San Francisco with a container garden, concrete slab and no cover.

Midcentury Modern 2

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Private Midcentury Courtyard features concrete pavers, modern landscaping, and simple engagement with Kitchen, Dining, Family Room, and Screened Porch - Architecture: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Interior Architecture: HAUS with Design Studio Vriesman, General Contractor: Wrightworks, Landscape Architecture: A2 Design, Photography: HAUS

Comfortable stone tiled steps down a steep slope with stone and steel walls

Village Landscape Architecture

Corten steel walls above large Sonoma field stone boulder walls dramatically showcase the more formal stone veneered stairs
Design ideas for an expansive midcentury courtyard patio in Other with a container garden and natural stone pavers.

Sunrise-Sunset House-architecture design

square three architecture, inc

Inspiration for a large midcentury backyard patio in San Francisco with a container garden.

Hollywood Hills Mid-Century Modern

Joel Reis Architecture and Real Estate Photography

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury courtyard patio in Los Angeles with a container garden and a roof extension.

Bell Canyon Residence

Hsu McCullough

View from the Living Room with Dining room, courtyard patio and pergola covered outdoor dining with mature trees at the back. The interior spaces of the Great Room are punctuated by a series of wide Fleetwood Aluminum multi-sliding glass doors positioned to frame the gardens and patio beyond while the concrete floor transitions from inside to out.

Midcentury Modern 2

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Separation of driveway and entry walk with change of ground plane surfaces

Village Landscape Architecture

Plantings through crushed rock are used to soften and reduce the impact of the driveway. Very large boulders also help 'hide' the driveway. Concrete entry patio with accent scoring pattern, street trees, corten steel planters, floating bench and plantings all work together to accent this paved entry courtyard.

Lovely split-level driveway and entryway.

Beall's Nursery & Landscaping

mid-century home updated with paver driveway, steps and path.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury front yard patio in Other with a container garden, brick pavers and no cover.

Midcentury Patio

This is an example of a midcentury patio in San Diego with a container garden, no cover and concrete slab.

Midcentury Patio Design Ideas with a Container Garden

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, midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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!