Inspiration for a traditional backyard patio in London with a container garden, natural stone pavers and no cover.

Custom granite seat walls and firepit with Pennsylvania bluestone cap. Random pattern square cut PA bluestone patio surface. Red Laceleaf Japanese Maple enframes the view. Alan & Linda Detrick Photography

Rustic fire pit made of steel is placed within a stone circle, and set on crushed gravel. The area is backed up by a grapevine-covered trellis that holds a bench swing. A lime green painted adirondack chair and cobalt blue seating pillows add color accents.

Photography: Rett Peek
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard patio in Little Rock with gravel and a pergola.

Linda Oyama Bryan
Design ideas for an expansive traditional backyard patio in Chicago with decomposed granite and a gazebo/cabana.

Photo of a small traditional backyard patio in DC Metro with stamped concrete.

This is an example of a traditional patio in London.

When you open the back doors of the home of Nancy and Jeremy Campbell in Granville, you don’t just step out onto a patio. You enter an extension of a modern living space that just happens to be outdoors. Their patio’s unique design and setting provides the comfort and style of indoors while enjoying the natural beauty and fresh air of outdoors. It all started with a rather desolate back yard. “It was completely blank, there was nothing back there,” Nancy remembers of the patio space of this 1972 split-level house they bought five years ago. With a blank slate to work with, the Campbells knew the key elements of what they wanted for their new outdoor space when they sat down with Travis Ketron of Ketron Custom Builders to design it. “We knew we wanted something covered so we could use it in the rain, and in the winter, and we knew we wanted a stone fireplace,” Nancy recalls. Travis translated the Campbells’ vision into a design to satisfy outdoor entertaining and relaxing desires in all seasons. The new outdoor space is reminiscent of a vast, rustic great room complete with a stone fireplace, a vaulted ceiling, skylights, and ceiling fans, yet no walls. The space is completely open to the elements without any glass or doors on any of the sides, except from the house. Furnished like a great room, with a built-in music system as well, it’s truly an extension of indoor living and entertaining space, and one that is unaffected by rain. Jeremy comments, “We haven’t had to cover the furniture yet. It would have to be a pretty strong wind to get wet.” Just outside the covered patio is a quartet of outdoor chairs adorned with plush cushions and colorful pillows, positioned perfectly for users to bask in the sun. In the design process, the fireplace emerged as the anchor of the space and set the stage for the outdoor space both aesthetically and functionally. “We didn’t want it to block the view. Then designing the space with Travis, the fireplace became the center,” remembers Jeremy. Placed directly across from the two sets of French doors leading out from the house, a Rumford fireplace and extended hearth of stone in neutral earth tones is the focal point of this outdoor living room. Seating for entertaining and lounging falls easily into place around it providing optimal viewing of the private, wooded back yard. When temperatures cool off, the fireplace provides ample warmth and a cozy setting to experience the change of seasons. “It’s a great fireplace for the space,” Jeremy says of the unique design of a Rumford style fireplace. “The way you stack the wood in the fireplace is different so as to get more heat. It has a shallower box, burns hotter and puts off more heat. Wood is placed in it vertically, not stacked.” Just in case the fireplace doesn’t provide enough light for late-night soirees, there is additional outdoor lighting mounted from the ceiling to make sure the party always goes on. Travis brought the idea of the Rumford outdoor fireplace to the Campbells. “I learned about it a few years back from some masons, and I was intrigued by the idea then,” he says. “We like to do stuff that’s out of the norm, and this fireplace fits the space and function very well.” Travis adds, “People want unique things that are designed for them. That’s our style to do that for them.” The patio also extends out to an uncovered area set up with patio tables for grilling and dining. Gray pavers flow throughout from the covered space to the open-air area. Their continuous flow mimics the feel of flooring that extends from a living room into a dining room inside a home. Also, the earth tone colors throughout the space on the pavers, fireplace and furnishings help the entire space mesh nicely with its natural surroundings. A little ways off from both the covered and uncovered patio area is a stone fire pit ring. Removed by just the right distance, it provides a separate place for young adults to gather and enjoy the night. Adirondack chairs and matching tables surround the outdoor fire pit, offering seating for anyone who doesn’t wish to stand and a place to set down ingredients for yummy fireside treats like s’mores. Padded chairs outside the reach of the pavilion and the nearby umbrella the perfect place to kick back and relax in the sun. The colorful throw pillows and outdoor furniture cushions add some needed color and a touch of personality. Enjoying the comforts of indoors while being outdoors is exactly what the Campbells are doing now, particularly when lounging on the comfortable wicker furniture that dominate most of the area. “My favorite part of the whole thing is the fireplace,” Nancy says. Jeremy concludes, “There is no television, it would destroy the ambiance out there. We just enjoy listening to music and watching the fire.”

For this project, moss rock steps offer natural charm from the patio into the spa. Bringing in boulders, soil and plants can create a “set in garden” look that adds charm and beauty to the backyard. www.longislandhottub.com

Raised paver patio with lighted pillars and stairs. Henry Rogacki Landscaping
Small traditional backyard patio in New York with concrete pavers and no cover.

Beautiful outdoor living space. Paver patio with fire place
Large traditional backyard patio in Denver with natural stone pavers and a fire feature.

This beautiful Town and Country outdoor room consists of a covered patio connecting the home to the pool area. The tall arched ceiling is stained cedar with recessed lighting, speakers and ceiling fans. The fireplace is gas and is faced with cultured stone. Retractable solar wall screens block the heat and glare of the sun as well as some wind on the west side. Photo by Gordon Kummer

The deck steps curve to the fire pit paver patio. Take an evening dip in the pool and then relax by the fire. Railing by Granote Ornamental iron. http://www.wiesephoto.com/clients/

DMax photography, Liz Prater interior design and fit out. Swell Homes addition and renovation.
Photo of a traditional backyard patio in Perth.

Designed by, Olive Branch Integrated Outdoor Design Built by, VIP Outdoor Living
Inspiration for a traditional patio in Omaha with brick pavers.

Project Details - Stone Terrace, walkway and Garden wall, Azek decking and Railling, Beadboard ceiling and landscaping
Traditional patio in Philadelphia with natural stone pavers.

© 2012 Glenna Partridge. All rights reserved.
Traditional patio in Vancouver with decking.

Design ideas for a traditional patio in Seattle.

We asked Joanna Archer why she choose our RHS Prestige Solid Fence Panels and RHS Prestige Square Trellis (38mm gap) for this project of hers. She replied, “Our garden designs are built to last, so we always choose materials with exceptional quality and longevity. The solid fence panels really deliver on this, and the finish of the paintwork is beautiful. We like using the 38mm square trellis for additional privacy. It’s a stylish option for a classic traditional style garden such as this.”