Small Contemporary Patio Design Ideas
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Mihaly Slocombe
Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open.
For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility.
The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors.
Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.
Krueger Architects
Unlimited Style Photography
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard patio in Los Angeles with a fire feature and a pergola.
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard patio in Los Angeles with a fire feature and a pergola.
Hayley Bridges Design
This is an example of a small contemporary patio in Santa Barbara with a roof extension.
KD Landscape
Pergola design by John Algozzini and Cara Buffa.
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard patio in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a pergola.
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard patio in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a pergola.
Revive Landscape Design
Copyright Protected by: Lori Brookes Photography
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard patio in San Diego with concrete pavers, no cover and an outdoor kitchen.
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard patio in San Diego with concrete pavers, no cover and an outdoor kitchen.
SJS Studios Inc.
Bluestone Pavers, custom Teak Wood banquette with cement tile inlay, Bluestone firepit, custom outdoor kitchen with Teak Wood, concrete waterfall countertop with Teak surround.
Harper Design Build
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard patio in New York with natural stone pavers and a pergola.
Rooftopia, LLC
This small backyard landscape sandwiched between home and garage, was transformed from a drab weed patch into a stunning outdoor breakfast nook! Porcelain patio pavers were carefully installed for improved drainage to move water away from the home. A new cedar fence was installed between neighboring lots. A custom cedar trellis was installed over the garage facade, to draw attention away from the garage siding, framing windows and foliage. Pretty white planters, large hydrangea blooms, crisp lime green hostas and purple pansies add color and brightness to this shaded retreat. LED lighting and irrigation systems were also integrated into the landscape.
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
This shade arbor, located in The Woodlands, TX north of Houston, spans the entire length of the back yard. It combines a number of elements with custom structures that were constructed to emulate specific aspects of a Zen garden. The homeowner wanted a low-maintenance garden whose beauty could withstand the tough seasonal weather that strikes the area at various times of the year. He also desired a mood-altering aesthetic that would relax the senses and calm the mind. Most importantly, he wanted this meditative environment completely shielded from the outside world so he could find serenity in total privacy.
The most unique design element in this entire project is the roof of the shade arbor itself. It features a “negative space” leaf pattern that was designed in a software suite and cut out of the metal with a water jet cutter. Each form in the pattern is loosely suggestive of either a leaf, or a cluster of leaves.
These small, negative spaces cut from the metal are the source of the structure’ powerful visual and emotional impact. During the day, sunlight shines down and highlights columns, furniture, plantings, and gravel with a blend of dappling and shade that make you feel like you are sitting under the branches of a tree.
At night, the effects are even more brilliant. Skillfully concealed lights mounted on the trusses reflect off the steel in places, while in other places they penetrate the negative spaces, cascading brilliant patterns of ambient light down on vegetation, hardscape, and water alike.
The shade arbor shelters two gravel patios that are almost identical in space. The patio closest to the living room features a mini outdoor dining room, replete with tables and chairs. The patio is ornamented with a blend of ornamental grass, a small human figurine sculpture, and mid-level impact ground cover.
Gravel was chosen as the preferred hardscape material because of its Zen-like connotations. It is also remarkably soft to walk on, helping to set the mood for a relaxed afternoon in the dappled shade of gently filtered sunlight.
The second patio, spaced 15 feet away from the first, resides adjacent to the home at the opposite end of the shade arbor. Like its twin, it is also ornamented with ground cover borders, ornamental grasses, and a large urn identical to the first. Seating here is even more private and contemplative. Instead of a table and chairs, there is a large decorative concrete bench cut in the shape of a giant four-leaf clover.
Spanning the distance between these two patios, a bluestone walkway connects the two spaces. Along the way, its borders are punctuated in places by low-level ornamental grasses, a large flowering bush, another sculpture in the form of human faces, and foxtail ferns that spring up from a spread of river rock that punctuates the ends of the walkway.
The meditative quality of the shade arbor is reinforced by two special features. The first of these is a disappearing fountain that flows from the top of a large vertical stone embedded like a monolith in the other edges of the river rock. The drains and pumps to this fountain are carefully concealed underneath the covering of smooth stones, and the sound of the water is only barely perceptible, as if it is trying to force you to let go of your thoughts to hear it.
A large piece of core-10 steel, which is deliberately intended to rust quickly, rises up like an arced wall from behind the fountain stone. The dark color of the metal helps the casual viewer catch just a glimpse of light reflecting off the slow trickle of water that runs down the side of the stone into the river rock bed.
To complete the quiet moment that the shade arbor is intended to invoke, a thick wall of cypress trees rises up on all sides of the yard, completely shutting out the disturbances of the world with a comforting wall of living greenery that comforts the thoughts and emotions.
Lucy Willcox Garden Design
This Courtyard was transformed from being an Astro Turf box to a useable, versatile Outdoor Room!
Small contemporary backyard patio in London with tile and a pergola.
Small contemporary backyard patio in London with tile and a pergola.
Luxury Garden Design
This courtyard garden is perfect for adults and provides an escape from everyday life with luxury finishes, such as the bespoke kitchen and planters.
Fireplace Stone & Patio
Looking to add that traditional look to your backyard? Our pergolas can be built with a peak louvered top and traditional looking end caps to give you your desired aesthetic.
Bosler Earth Design
Fire pit with seating area in front of retaining wall.
©Daniel Bosler Photography
Small contemporary backyard patio in Los Angeles with a fire feature and concrete pavers.
Small contemporary backyard patio in Los Angeles with a fire feature and concrete pavers.
GO Designs Inc.
Cool & Contemporary is the vibe our clients were seeking out. Phase 1 complete for this El Paso Westside project. Consistent with the homes architecture and lifestyle creates a space to handle all occasions. Early morning coffee on the patio or around the firepit, smores, drinks, relaxing, reading & maybe a little dancing. Cedar planks set on raw steel post create a cozy atmosphere. Sitting or laying down on cushions and pillows atop the smooth buff leuders limestone bench with your feet popped up on the custom gas firepit. Raw steel veneer, limestone cap and stainless steel fire fixtures complete the sleek contemporary feels. Concrete steps & path lights beam up and accentuates the focal setting. To prep for phase 2, ground cover pathways and areas are ready for the new outdoor movie projector, more privacy, picnic area, permanent seating, landscape and lighting to come.
KD Landscape
The black fence, black deck and black pergola establish unity for the space.
Small contemporary backyard patio in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a pergola.
Small contemporary backyard patio in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a pergola.
SED Design
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard patio in Philadelphia with a water feature, brick pavers and a pergola.
Lexington Company
Photo location: East Hampton
Design ideas for a small contemporary patio with decking, no cover and an outdoor shower.
Design ideas for a small contemporary patio with decking, no cover and an outdoor shower.
Kalu Interiors
Small contemporary backyard patio in Vancouver with a fire feature, decomposed granite and no cover.
Prideaux Design
Matt Vacca
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard patio in Phoenix with a water feature, concrete slab and no cover.
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard patio in Phoenix with a water feature, concrete slab and no cover.
Rooftopia, LLC
This small backyard landscape sandwiched between home and garage, was transformed from a drab weed patch into a stunning outdoor breakfast nook! Porcelain patio pavers were carefully installed for improved drainage to move water away from the home. A new cedar fence was installed between neighboring lots. A custom cedar trellis was installed over the garage facade, to draw attention away from the garage siding, framing windows and foliage. Pretty white planters, large hydrangea blooms, crisp lime green hostas and purple pansies add color and brightness to this shaded retreat. LED lighting and irrigation systems were also integrated into the landscape.
Small Contemporary Patio Design Ideas
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