Already partially enclosed by an ipe fence and concrete wall, our client had a vision of an outdoor courtyard for entertaining on warm summer evenings since the space would be shaded by the house in the afternoon. He imagined the space with a water feature, lighting and paving surrounded by plants. With our marching orders in place, we drew up a schematic plan quickly and met to review two options for the space. These options quickly coalesced and combined into a single vision for the space. A thick, 60” tall concrete wall would enclose the opening to the street – creating privacy and security, and making a bold statement. We knew the gate had to be interesting enough to stand up to the large concrete walls on either side, so we designed and had custom fabricated by Dennis Schleder (www.dennisschleder.com) a beautiful, visually dynamic metal gate. The gate has become the icing on the cake, all 300 pounds of it! Other touches include drought tolerant planting, bluestone paving with pebble accents, crushed granite paving, LED accent lighting, and outdoor furniture. Both existing trees were retained and are thriving with their new soil. The garden was installed in December and our client is extremely happy with the results – so are we! Photo credits, Coreen Schmidt

Modernist Courtyard

terraneo landscape design

Small spaces can be even harder to design for. Balance between hard and soft elements is super important and more green is better than not enough. Every plant here is in a pot or a planter that have become features themselves.

Woodinville Pivot Site Design

Board & Vellum

Photography by Meghan Montgomery
Photo of a small midcentury front yard patio in Seattle with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Olympus Cove

DFS Construction Inc.

Outdoor dining room with large open fireplace and wood ceilings.
Inspiration for an expansive midcentury backyard patio in Salt Lake City with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Modern Prairie Front Patio - New Berlin

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

'Rozanne' geranium was added at the front walk and at the sitting patio to tie the two spaces together. Westhauser Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury front yard patio in Milwaukee with natural stone pavers.

Saratoga

HWH Home and Garden

Belagard Pavers - Catalina Grana Toscana and Aspen border. Daybed swing and pond
This is an example of a large midcentury backyard patio in San Francisco with natural stone pavers and a pergola.

Modern Frontier- Texas Ranch House

Mary Anne Smiley Interiors

Danny Piassick
Photo of a large midcentury backyard patio in Austin with a water feature, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Bluestone Pavers and Mahogany Bench

California Eco Design, Inc.

The courtyard merges a seating area with a wrap around deck. The deck maximizes space without causing harm to an enormous Japanese yew tree.
Small midcentury backyard patio in Los Angeles with a fire feature and natural stone pavers.

Mid-Century Modern Landscape

Inge Daniels Design LLC

Our natural cleft bluestone patio continues the bluestone edge of the interior floor, making the indoor/outdoor divide seamless. A pea gravel path set one step lower extends the view and provides circulation.

Umgestaltung Hausgarten

besgen Landschaftsarchitektur

besgen Landschaftsarchitektur
This is an example of a small midcentury backyard patio in Cologne with natural stone pavers.

Flagstone Patio with Custom Garden Beds

Ecology Artisans

Five months after install, we have nearly complete coverage by silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae). Very pleased how fast and flushed this came through. Looking forward to experimenting more with the possibilities. We also built the custom garden beds around the patio to provide non-compacted growing space for the client.

Mid-Century Modern Landscape Revival

Frisella Landscape Group

Curved natural stone steps
Large midcentury backyard patio in St Louis with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Mast Residence

Stratos Form

The same windows that provide natural light during the day, illuminate the outdoor living areas by night. Aidin Mariscal www.immagineint.com
Large midcentury backyard patio in Orange County with natural stone pavers, a fire feature and no cover.

Residential: Bespoke Mid-Century Home – Pergolas for Windy Areas.

Azenco Outdoor

Outdoor Project: Remarkable Functionality And Elegance This 22 x 16 installation had to cover three spaces in our client’s outdoor space – the bar, the outdoor dining area, and the seating area. Our main aim was to shade all three zones with an R-Shade pergola that complimented the mid-century Mediterranean aesthetic of the home.

Gooseberry Hill

Westmade Homes

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury front yard patio in Perth with natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Caldera Grigia Pavers

MSI

Open air, fall breezes in door tile flows to an outdoor paver
This is an example of a large midcentury backyard patio in Orange County with natural stone pavers.

Outdoor Kitchen and Tile Backsplash

SilverSun Landscapes

Timothy Reed
Inspiration for a large midcentury backyard patio in Tampa with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a roof extension.

Woodward MCM Remodel

M.O.Daby Design

Remodel and addition to a midcentury modern ranch house. credits: design: Matthew O. Daby - m.o.daby design interior design: Angela Mechaley - m.o.daby design construction: ClarkBuilt structural engineer: Willamette Building Solutions photography: Crosby Dove

El Cerrito Mid Century Modern Deck Patio

Leigh Designs

Photo of a large midcentury backyard patio in San Francisco with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Olympus Cove

DFS Construction Inc.

Inspiration for an expansive midcentury backyard patio in Salt Lake City with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone pavers and a pergola.

Midcentury Patio Design Ideas with Natural Stone Pavers

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!