Photo of a small backyard patio in Phoenix with a water feature.

We raised the entertaining terrace up to the height of the kitchen floor, so that the passage between the kitchen and the table was less difficult. Photo -Chris Jacobson, GardenArt Group.

This compact Modern Retreat is big on style! A Pergola extends from the home, anchored by cables. Privacy is provided by an accent wall, which is accentuated by bright benches and a sleek water feature. Artificial turf, stone pavers, and beach pebbles combine to create a functional, comfortable space that is pleasing to the eye. Photo by Cascade Outdoor Design

From an unusable junk heap to a largely recycled back deck with pergola, vines, fountains, permeable paths, native and xeriscape plantings, storm water infiltration, and repurposing of an existing tile platform at the owner's request, this space is now a peaceful and restorative retirement retreat.

Design ideas for a small asian backyard patio in DC Metro with a water feature, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Design ideas for a small tropical courtyard patio in Miami with a water feature, natural stone pavers and a pergola.

The Sater Design Collection's luxury, traditional home plan "Turnberry Lane" (Plan #6602). http://saterdesign.com/product/turnberry-lane/

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.

FINE DINING The arching back splash and intricate tile medallion extend the beauty of the home’s design theme into the exterior dining room and kitchen. Woven all weather wicker by Patio Renaissance dining pieces in a dark finish provide an eye catching contrast to the neutral kitchen tiles and flooring. Decorative tile: Natural Travertine Tile with Glass tile in-lay by Lightstreams tile. Custom Onyx center pieces have LED backlighting with custom metal décor.

Mike Dean
This is an example of a small transitional courtyard patio in Other with a water feature, concrete slab and a roof extension.

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

Welcome to our design space at the Pasadena Showcase House of Design. This “oasis” features a beautiful collection of koi fish, gracefully swimming in a 5’x8’ pond. Our modern, clean-cut paver patio is customized to intertwine with large seating boulders. By bringing the pathway right to the edge of the pond, we showcase our favorite cantilever effect. Softening the design, California-friendly plants and a stunning live plant wall surrounds the area, while lights can be seen hanging from the trees, extending the ambiance into the evening hours.

This is an example of a small contemporary backyard patio in Philadelphia with a water feature, brick pavers and a pergola.

Ph. Mattia Aquila
Photo of a small mediterranean patio in Milan with a water feature and a pergola.

Photo of a small contemporary backyard patio in Montreal with a water feature, brick pavers and a pergola.

Photo of a small contemporary courtyard patio in Melbourne with a water feature, decking and no cover.

Backyard patio with large flagstone pieces. Irish moss, blue star creeper, scotch moss, and mini mondo grass are a few of the plants growing between the stones. This yard has over 60 Japanese Maples and lots of ferns and other shade plants Erik Jones

We used flagstones to build the floor, with a geometric pattern reminiscent of a marble dance floor. We added a brick border in a rich brown color to match the antique bricks of the house.

Design/Build Jpm Landscape Sideyard patio area, pavers, seating area, back step
Photo of a small traditional side yard patio in San Francisco with concrete pavers, a roof extension and a water feature.