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  3. Contemporary

Contemporary Patio Ideas and Designs

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Bryant
Bryant
Bakstad ConstructionBakstad Construction
Photo of a contemporary patio in Seattle with a bbq area.
Lafayette Woodlands
Lafayette Woodlands
ODS ArchitectureODS Architecture
In a wooded area of Lafayette, a mid-century home was re-imagined for a graphic designer and kindergarten teacher couple and their three children. A major new design feature is a high ceiling great room that wraps from the front to the back yard, turning a corner at the kitchen and ending at the family room fireplace. This room was designed with a high flat roof to work in conjunction with existing roof forms to create a unified whole, and raise interior ceiling heights from eight to over ten feet. All new lighting and large floor to ceiling Fleetwood aluminum windows expand views of the trees beyond. The existing home was enlarged by 700 square feet with a small exterior addition enlarging the kitchen over an existing deck, and a larger amount by excavating out crawlspace at the garage level to create a new home office with full bath, and separate laundry utility room. The remodeled residence became 3,847 square feet in total area including the garage. Exterior curb appeal was improved with all new Fleetwood windows, stained wood siding and stucco. New steel railing and concrete steps lead up to the front entry. Front and rear yard new landscape design by Huettl Landscape Architecture dramatically alters the site. New planting was added at the front yard with landscape lighting and modern concrete pavers and the rear yard has multiple decks for family gatherings with the focal point a concrete conversation circle with central fire feature. Everything revolves around the corner kitchen, large windows to the backyard, quartz countertops and cabinetry in painted and walnut finishes. The homeowners enjoyed the process of selecting Heath Tile for the kitchen backsplash and white oval tiles at the family room fireplace. Black brick tiles by Fireclay were used on the living room hearth. The kitchen flows into the family room all with views to the beautifully landscaped yards. The primary suite has a built-in window seat with large windows overlooking the garden, walnut cabinetry in a skylit walk-in closet, and a large dramatic skylight bouncing light into the shower. The kid’s bath also has a skylight slot with light angling downward over double sinks. More colorful tile shows up in these spaces, as does a geometric patterned tile in the downstairs office bath shower. The large yard is taken full advantage of with concrete paved walkways, stairs and firepit circle. New retaining walls in the rear yard helped to add more level usable outdoor space, with wood slats to visually blend them into the overall design. The end result is a beautiful transformation of a mid-century home, that both captures the client’s personalities and elevates the house into the modern age.
Santa Cruz Sustainable
Santa Cruz Sustainable
K & D Landscaping, Inc.K & D Landscaping, Inc.
Residential home in Santa Cruz, CA This stunning front and backyard project was so much fun! The plethora of K&D's scope of work included: smooth finished concrete walls, multiple styles of horizontal redwood fencing, smooth finished concrete stepping stones, bands, steps & pathways, paver patio & driveway, artificial turf, TimberTech stairs & decks, TimberTech custom bench with storage, shower wall with bike washing station, custom concrete fountain, poured-in-place fire pit, pour-in-place half circle bench with sloped back rest, metal pergola, low voltage lighting, planting and irrigation! (*Adorable cat not included)
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Bay Park Backyard
Bay Park Backyard
Alicia CalhoonAlicia Calhoon
This is an example of a contemporary back patio in San Diego with a fire feature and concrete slabs.
EIGTH.
EIGTH.
KLH Custom HomesKLH Custom Homes
Design ideas for a contemporary patio in Grand Rapids with concrete slabs and a roof extension.
New Home @ Carlton Woods Creekside
New Home @ Carlton Woods Creekside
Le Classique InteriorsLe Classique Interiors
Medium sized contemporary back patio in Other with a roof extension.
Rooftop Refuge
Rooftop Refuge
Lifescape Colorado.Lifescape Colorado.
Photo of a large contemporary courtyard patio in Denver with a fire feature, natural stone paving and no cover.
Mustang Park, Carrollton
Mustang Park, Carrollton
AquaTerra OutdoorsAquaTerra Outdoors
AquaTerra Outdoors was hired to bring life to the outdoors of the new home. When it came time to design the space we were challenged with the tight space of the backyard. We worked through the concepts and we were able to incorporate a new pool with spa, custom water feature wall, Ipe wood deck, outdoor kitchen, custom steel and Ipe wood shade arbor and fire pit. We also designed and installed all the landscaping including the custom steel planter. Photography: Wade Griffith
Shawnee Residence
Shawnee Residence
Lazar Landscape Design and ConstructionLazar Landscape Design and Construction
This is an example of a contemporary back patio in San Francisco with concrete paving, no cover and a bar area.
4-Season Roof Garden
4-Season Roof Garden
Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc.Chicago Specialty Gardens, Inc.
Private, protected urban roof garden. Photography: Van Inwegen Digital Arts.
Photo of a contemporary patio in Chicago.
Monaco Luxury Pools - Pacific Mist
Monaco Luxury Pools - Pacific Mist
Jeri Koegel PhotographyJeri Koegel Photography
Photo of a contemporary back patio in Orange County with a water feature, tiled flooring and no cover.
Contemporary Patio
Contemporary Patio
Design ideas for a small contemporary back patio in Chicago with a fire feature, natural stone paving and a pergola.
Outdoor Bar and Grill
Outdoor Bar and Grill
DeGoey DesignsDeGoey Designs
Small contemporary patio in Other.
Outdoor Bar and Grill
Outdoor Bar and Grill
DeGoey DesignsDeGoey Designs
Design ideas for a contemporary back patio in Other with a bar area.
Paradise Valley Residence I by CC Patio
Paradise Valley Residence I by CC Patio
CC PatioCC Patio
Ocean Collection sofa with ironwood arms. Romeo club chairs with Sunbrella cushions. Dekton top side tables and coffee table.
Design ideas for a large contemporary back patio in Phoenix with tiled flooring, a roof extension and a fireplace.
Work
Work
Wimmel Design & ConstructionWimmel Design & Construction
Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary back patio in Houston with tiled flooring, a roof extension and a fireplace.
Long Beach Modern
Long Beach Modern
Caileen DesignsCaileen Designs
The modern outdoor fireplace in this water front home allows the owners to enjoy their patio year round. Modern designer rocking chairs reflect the design of the exterior. Photography by Ryan Garvin.
City Oasis Pool Landscape
City Oasis Pool Landscape
Elemental Construction Inc. - Pools and LandscapeElemental Construction Inc. - Pools and Landscape
Professional
Design ideas for a contemporary back patio in Los Angeles with a potted garden, concrete paving and an awning.
Contemporary Patio
Contemporary Patio
Constructive and CoConstructive and Co
This is an example of a small contemporary patio in London.

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.
Fire Features
Fire Features
Markham Landscape Products, Inc.Markham Landscape Products, Inc.
Rustic Style Fire Feature - Techo-Bloc's Valencia Fire Pit with custom caps.
This is an example of a large contemporary back patio in Charlotte with a fire feature and concrete slabs.
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