40 Ideas for Patios
Get pictures and ideas for every taste, style, and budget.
A patio of squares and rounds
Colored stones, surrounded by pavers of stained concrete, create the illusion of a stream bubbling through the center of this 12-foot patio in Berkeley.
>More:How to plant a living wall
Bistro patio
A free-form hardscape, shade sail, airy plants, a circular firepit make this Tucson, Arizona garden the ideal place for entertaining.
>See more of this patio
Lush slate patio
Surround a small slate patio with lush plantings for a versatile backyard retreat space. This one is 8 feet in diameter.
>More:Get the how-to and planting plan
Cozy, curvy patio
Warm fires make the courtyard an ideal winter hangout. To save space, the pizza oven is stacked over the fireplace.
>More:See how great shapes and native plants create a haven for all seasons
Earthly sophistication
"I like clean lines balanced by earth-toned materials and organic shapes," says landscape designer Jared Vermeil. The father of a toddler, Vermeil loves creating contemporary yet family-friendly gardens. As he says, "Modern can feel warm and comfortable too."
>More:One patio, 3 looks
Affordable backyard Bali
Brooke Dietrich, owner of Green … Landscapes to Envy in Costa Mesa, CA looked to bargain sources to outfit her own patio. "Ikea and Pier 1 are my kind of stores," she says.
>More:Design an affordable backyard Bali
Hearth patio
The area rug in this outdoor living room is actually brick inlay. Farm touches like the Dutch door in the kitchen make this a cozy space.
>More:Southwest Idea House
The perfect room
Add a mirror for the illusion of space. This one gives the patio a living room look, yet it stands up to sun and rain.
>More:How to move your indoors outside
Easy cabana
With our checklist of tools and materials, some PVC pipe, and a little elbow grease, you can transform your outdoor space into an instant retreat ― all for about $300. This backyard lounge serves as both a casual spot for year-round entertaining and a private refuge with resort style.
>More:Step-by-step DIY cabana
Eichler-style patio
Expansive views of the patio bring the outside in.
>More:A 1950s Eichler home gets a seamless update
Mediterranean accent
A cast limestone fountain with an antique finish adds a Mediterranean-inspired accent to this narrow front patio in Sacramento, Calif. The wall blocks the sight and sound of street traffic nearby.
>More:A narrow front patio becomes a handsome dining area
Dramatic desert dining
For this project, landscape architect Steve Martino tried something new ― aluminum flashing. He wove it through rebar uprights like a ribbon, creating a glamorous shimmering privacy wall near the outdoor dining area.
>More:See the rest of this dramatic desert garden
Courtyard shed
A shed in the right spot can help define an outdoor dining area or patio, as it did for this DIY backyard makeover. This cedar garden shed in Seattle, Washington, keeps tools and garden machinery safe, dry, and out of the garage and basement. "Before the shed, we had to bring the mower up out of the basement every time we cut the grass," says owner Leanne Rubin.
>More:See the before and after
Front row seats
This small patio works, thanks to the dappled light and the partial sense of enclosure and privacy created by the greenhouse and foliage. The casual comfort of the two chairs seems to invite relaxation and intimate conversation.
>More:How to plan a garden patio
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