What a striking home! This home in South Baton Rouge was designed by Cockfield-Jackson and the clients wanted a complete landscape design that would accompany the architecture of this A. Hays Town inspired home. Featured in this design are a substantial entertainment area in the rear, complete with an outdoor kitchen (built by Joffrion Construction) expansive pool with water feature wall, and a bluestone courtyard. Additionally, this home features a quaint side yard complete with brick steps leading to a bluestone courtyard with an antique sugar kettle fountain. The clients also needed options for guests to park. A circular driveway in the front provided a grand entrance, as well as ample parking for plenty of guests.

Modernity on University (sneak peek)

Masa Studio Architects

Inspiration for a small modern backyard patio in Houston with a water feature and decking.

Montecito, George Washington Smiths Design Studio

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Garden and hardscape Transformed
Expansive mediterranean backyard patio in Santa Barbara with a water feature, no cover and natural stone pavers.

Urban Outdoor Living

Trevor Fulmer Design

To create a colonial outdoor living space, we gut renovated this patio, incorporating heated bluestones, a custom traditional fireplace and bespoke furniture. The space was divided into three distinct zones for cooking, dining, and lounging. Firing up the built-in gas grill or a relaxing by the fireplace, this space brings the inside out.

California Spanish Revival

User

This is an example of an expansive mediterranean courtyard patio in Orange County with a water feature, tile and no cover.

Koi pond

Creative Zen, Inc. Landscape Designer & Contractor

Koi pond in between decks. Pergola and decking are redwood. Concrete pillars under the steps for support. There are ample space in between the supporting pillars for koi fish to swim by, provides cover from sunlight and possible predators. Koi pond filtration is located under the wood deck, hidden from sight.

Desert Retreat at Silverleaf

Drewett Works

The genesis of design for this desert retreat was the informal dining area in which the clients, along with family and friends, would gather. Located in north Scottsdale’s prestigious Silverleaf, this ranch hacienda offers 6,500 square feet of gracious hospitality for family and friends. Focused around the informal dining area, the home’s living spaces, both indoor and outdoor, offer warmth of materials and proximity for expansion of the casual dining space that the owners envisioned for hosting gatherings to include their two grown children, parents, and many friends. The kitchen, adjacent to the informal dining, serves as the functioning heart of the home and is open to the great room, informal dining room, and office, and is mere steps away from the outdoor patio lounge and poolside guest casita. Additionally, the main house master suite enjoys spectacular vistas of the adjacent McDowell mountains and distant Phoenix city lights. The clients, who desired ample guest quarters for their visiting adult children, decided on a detached guest casita featuring two bedroom suites, a living area, and a small kitchen. The guest casita’s spectacular bedroom mountain views are surpassed only by the living area views of distant mountains seen beyond the spectacular pool and outdoor living spaces. Project Details | Desert Retreat, Silverleaf – Scottsdale, AZ Architect: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB; Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Sonora West Development, Scottsdale, AZ Photographer: Dino Tonn Featured in Phoenix Home and Garden, May 2015, “Sporting Style: Golf Enthusiast Christie Austin Earns Top Scores on the Home Front” See more of this project here: http://drewettworks.com/desert-retreat-at-silverleaf/

George

User

With an impressive double-volume entrance setting the tone, this ‘modern natural’ home design combines contemporary and natural materials as effectively as it combines form and function. The zoned layout unfolds from the entrance hub, providing a separate living space for adult children and a secluded master bedroom wing, as well as an office/home theatre and family living, dining and kitchen area. There’s a large underground garage and store – all incredibly practical, all designed to embrace the site’s northern orientation. This is an elegant home too, with a cohesive form that brings natural materials like stone and timber together with a modern colour palette and render, creating overlapping planes and an unmistakably sophisticated ambiance.

Scott's Lake House

Bassett Furniture Design Studio

Interior designer Scott Dean's home on Sun Valley Lake
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional front yard patio in Other with a water feature.

Personal resort

Fran Kerzner- DESIGN SYNTHESIS

This is an example of an expansive contemporary backyard patio in Los Angeles with a water feature, concrete slab and a roof extension.

Koi Pond/Water Garden-HGTV Amazing Water Homes

Pool Environments, Inc.

Bill Bibb, Designer Archiverde Landscape, built by Pool Environments The project includes a koi pond/water garden and waterwall. The koi/water garden acts as a "mote" to the entrance of the residence. Thick native Texas limestone leuders create a bridge visitors cross to reach the home. A large glass wall with built in planters on top is settled in the middle of the water garden and greets visitors upon arrival. It also services as a divider between the main house and guest quarters.

Outdoor Living Seating

Fratantoni Interior Designers

French Villa features a custom-built pergola with two large hanging sofas and petrified wood coffee tables. The built-in fireplace with tile detailing acts as the focal point, as the space overlooks the pool & attached hot tub.

View with Cider Press & Benches

Haver & Skolnick LLC Architects

Teak benches on either side of the garden afford shady spots to enjoy the fountain. Robert Benson Photography
Inspiration for a large country courtyard patio in New York with a water feature, natural stone pavers and a pergola.

House in Historic Belle Meade, Nashville

Studio 511

Regency style home has a wonderful space off the kitchen, a walled courtyard with a fountain and brick floor. Flowering vines cover the pergola over the doorway to the kitchen.

City: McDougald Residence

Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

Linda McDougald, principal and lead designer of Linda McDougald Design l Postcard from Paris Home, re-designed and renovated her home, which now showcases an innovative mix of contemporary and antique furnishings set against a dramatic linen, white, and gray palette. The English country home features floors of dark-stained oak, white painted hardwood, and Lagos Azul limestone. Antique lighting marks most every room, each of which is filled with exquisite antiques from France. At the heart of the re-design was an extensive kitchen renovation, now featuring a La Cornue Chateau range, Sub-Zero and Miele appliances, custom cabinetry, and Waterworks tile.

Private Courtyard Addition

The Cleary Company

Private courtyard - Master suite deck
Design ideas for a large transitional courtyard patio in Columbus with a water feature, concrete pavers and no cover.

SERENDIPITY Residence | Design + Build

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

KuDa Photo 2015
This is an example of a large modern backyard patio in Portland with a water feature, concrete slab and a roof extension.

Edgewater NJ | Custom Pool Designer New York City

The POOL ARTIST | Brian T. Stratton

Award winning pool designer Brian T. Stratton | The Pool Artist designed this beautiful custom concrete / gunite swimming pool. Luxury pool designer nj, international pool design, new jersey swimming pool designer, pool artist, swimming pool engineer, swimming pool architect nj, water designer, eleuthera Bahamas pool designer, infinity edge pool design, custom spa design, California pool designer, Mississippi pool designer, south Carolina pool designer, new York pool designer, Pennsylvania pool designer

Artist House and Museum antique Limestone Restoration

Ancient Surfaces

This is an example of a small mediterranean side yard patio in New York with a water feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Wick Residence

Epic Landscape Construction

Yuki Batterson
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean backyard patio in San Diego with a water feature, concrete pavers and a pergola.

Patio Design Ideas with a Water Feature

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!