skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. Contemporary

Contemporary Patio Ideas and Designs

All Filters (1)
Refine by:
141 - 160 of 101,783 photos
Item 1 of 11
Virburnum Gate
Virburnum Gate
Aralia: Innovation in Landscape DesignAralia: Innovation in Landscape Design
Aralia 2018
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary patio in Hertfordshire with a living wall and no cover.
Lot 40
Lot 40
Marmiro Stones, IncMarmiro Stones, Inc
Deep Blue® sandblasted pavers create a relaxing side patio for the family to gather and enjoy each other's company. The natural whites and gray of the stone compliment the natural elements of the area, as well as the multi-color outdoor fireplace.
Transitional Patio
Transitional Patio
Inspiration for a small contemporary back patio in Hertfordshire with decking, no cover and a fireplace.
Find the right local pro for your project
Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz
Dusky Thrush
Dusky Thrush
Urbane DesignUrbane Design
sarahnatsumi
Photo of a contemporary back patio in Austin with concrete slabs and a roof extension.
Bluestone Irving Park
Bluestone Irving Park
KD LandscapeKD Landscape
Pergola design by John Algozzini and Cara Buffa.
Design ideas for a small contemporary back patio in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone paving and a pergola.
Orchard Avenue - Napa
Orchard Avenue - Napa
Westwind ConstructionWestwind Construction
www.jacobelleiott.com
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary back patio in San Francisco with an outdoor kitchen, gravel and a pergola.
Unilock Patio with a Water Feature
Unilock Patio with a Water Feature
UnilockUnilock
Add function, variety, and interest to your landscape with a stunning water feature.
Photo of a contemporary patio in Other with a water feature and concrete paving.
Modern Farmhouse on Vale Court
Modern Farmhouse on Vale Court
E2 Homes LtdE2 Homes Ltd
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back patio in Vancouver with a fire feature, no cover and concrete slabs.
Gas Fire Pits
Gas Fire Pits
Decorative LandscapingDecorative Landscaping
This is an example of a contemporary patio in Salt Lake City with a fire feature, concrete slabs and no cover.
Ipe Paradise
Ipe Paradise
Habitar LandscapeHabitar Landscape
This is an example of a contemporary back patio in San Diego with an outdoor shower and concrete slabs.
Savannah Grand Model Home Lanai
Savannah Grand Model Home Lanai
Michelle de Tournillon Design ConsultantMichelle de Tournillon Design Consultant
Expansive contemporary back patio in Other with an outdoor kitchen and a roof extension.
COLORFULLY TRADITIONAL
COLORFULLY TRADITIONAL
Erin Sander DesignErin Sander Design
This is an example of a contemporary patio in Dallas.
Downtown Orlando Lake House
Downtown Orlando Lake House
Garden Stone and HomeGarden Stone and Home
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary back patio in Orlando with a fire feature, tiled flooring and a gazebo.
A Contemporary Landscape in Southern Vermont
A Contemporary Landscape in Southern Vermont
Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio (JMMDS)
For this contemporary, Japanese-style residence sitting high on a hill in southern Vermont, JMMDS created a simple, clean-lined design using stone pavers, retaining walls, and geometric beds to define the area around the house. The house is composed of two long offset barn buildings with eaves that are joined in the middle around an exterior stone courtyard. JMMDS’s design holds up the steep surrounding slopes with a long stone retaining wall bordering a rectangular quartzite terrace with a beautiful view out to the surrounding landscape. The wall encloses a level grass shelf around the house; outside the wall, less manicured turf drops away quickly down the slope. Ledges on the hillside that parallels the house are exposed as an asset. On the entry side of the house, JMMDS designed a wall that retains the slope between garage and house, accessed by a set of broad stone steps and linear pavers that take a visitor straight to the front door. Plantings in geometric beds surround more quartzite pavers that form a terrace for the guest wing of the house. The drip space under the eaves is filled with black washed river stone. Photo: Seamus Flynn Photography
Paradise Valley Residence I by CC Patio
Paradise Valley Residence I by CC Patio
CC PatioCC Patio
Ocean Collection sofa with ironwood armrests. Romeo club chairs. All in Sunbrella fabric, cushions and pillows. Dekton top side tables and DEKTON AURA waterfall coffee table.
House of Three Courtyards
House of Three Courtyards
Winn Wittman Architecture A.I.A.Winn Wittman Architecture A.I.A.
Leuders limstone pavers with black river rock.
Design ideas for a large contemporary back patio in Austin with concrete paving and a roof extension.
Summit Project
Summit Project
lauri morrison studiolauri morrison studio
This was an exterior remodel and backyard renovation, added pool, bbq, etc.
Large contemporary back patio in Los Angeles with an outdoor shower and concrete paving.
Lahontan Custom Home
Lahontan Custom Home
MD ConstructionMD Construction
Medium sized contemporary back patio in Sacramento with concrete paving and no cover.
Toll Brothers Verde River, Rio Verde
Toll Brothers Verde River, Rio Verde
Toll Brothers, Inc.Toll Brothers, Inc.
CDC Designs and Josh Caldwell Photography
Contemporary back patio in Phoenix with an outdoor kitchen.

Contemporary Patio Ideas and Designs

Patios are the go-to solution for turning your garden, or part of it, into an outdoor living area. A well-laid patio will integrate your home seamlessly into your garden, providing a solid and level surface for garden furniture and potted plants. Well designed patios are about more than just paving slabs – its positioning and layout are crucial to how much you enjoy this space. Before you start picking out patio ideas for materials and laying your contemporary patio, ask yourself important questions such as what will you use it for? How many people should it accommodate? Which part of your garden has the best aspect and sunlight? Will the patio have enough privacy?

How should I position my patio?

If you are designing your contemporary patio as a space for entertaining then make sure it’s wide enough for the garden furniture you want so you haven’t got guests tipping over into the flowerbeds. Don’t be wedded to the idea of having your contemporary patio attached to the house; think about positioning yours elsewhere in the garden if that space doesn’t offer the best aspect or lighting position. Consider the position of the sun through the course of the day and depending on whether you are most likely to want to dine outside at breakfast, have lunch on your patio or host dinner outside, you may want to position your patio differently. You can connect patios to your house with a footpath or stepping stones to allow easy transportation of food and drink.

How should I design and lay my contemporary patio?

Rectangles are the classic shape for patios, not least because they make the most efficient use of space and can be softened with garden edging. However, a rounded patio or a paving circle can perfectly complement a garden which isn’t linear in design. Paving slabs come in an extensive range of materials and are the most practical surface for patios. Yorkstone has the most traditional appeal, whereas concrete blocks, granite and slate patio slabs have a great texture and colour for modern gardens. Natural stones such as limestone, travertine and Indian sandstone vary in colour and finish and are a great way to add shade and texture to your patio. For some patio ideas that offer an alternative to block paving, loose material such as crushed stone and wood chippings have a rustic and more casual feel; if there are specific materials that re-occur elsewhere in the garden, you could repeat this in your choice of patio materials for consistency. Finally, it’s not a British summer without the great British barbeque, so look at patio ideas that incorporate barbeques and think about how you could accommodate one on your patio.

What garden furniture does my patio need?

Rattan garden furniture is a patio favourite, offering a durable, attractive finish that blends well into natural surroundings. Metal garden furniture and wooden garden furniture are sturdy alternatives available in many styles. Weight is a good feature in garden furniture to stop it from being blown away, but if you want to be able to move your furniture around the patio and garden to follow the sun you won’t want to go too heavy. Browse the various contemporary patio ideas that include garden furniture to see what styles of furniture go with different types of patios. If you find a particular patio set you like, you may be able to ask the designer where the furniture is from so you can look at buying the same set for your patio. Good, outdoor patio furniture crafted in high-quality materials should withstand bad weather, but cold, wet British winters followed by strong sun in the summer will be enough to weather even the best furniture, so it’s important to have somewhere, such as a shed, to store it when not in use for long periods of time. If you don’t have the space to store patio furniture, make sure that at least the cushions and umbrellas are stowed away out of the elements, and consider investing in a waterproof cover. One piece of furniture that might be able to stay out for a bit longer is a patio heater; it will warm any brave patio users and most modern designs are built to survive the cold weather. If you prefer something a bit more rustic than a patio heater, look at fire pits instead which will add warmth and an attractive centrepiece to your patio. If privacy or shade is an issue, then covering patio furniture with a parasol or sheltering patios with a gazebo or pergola are both smart patio ideas – these can be covered in climbing flowers or even wound with outdoor fairy lights for romantic evening lighting.
Pool Cabana
Pool Cabana
Nyhus Design GroupNyhus Design Group
Designed to compliment the existing single story home in a densely wooded setting, this Pool Cabana serves as outdoor kitchen, dining, bar, bathroom/changing room, and storage. Photos by Ross Pushinaitus.
8
456789101112Next Page
United Kingdom
Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.