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:
61 - 80 of 101,863 photos
Item 1 of 11
Thayer Residence
Thayer Residence
Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects LLPNeumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects LLP
Ciro Coelho Photography
Photo of a contemporary patio in Santa Barbara.
Burns Backyard Renovation
Burns Backyard Renovation
Tellurian ConstructionTellurian Construction
Donny Mays Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary back patio in Portland.
Hilltop
Hilltop
Roberta WilsonRoberta Wilson
Outdoor Kitchen and Entertaining Patio Mark Pinkerton - Vi360 Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary back patio in San Francisco with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and a roof extension.
Find the right local pro for your project
Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz
Entry Courtyard
Entry Courtyard
Landwell Design + Build Co.Landwell Design + Build Co.
Inspiration for a small contemporary courtyard patio in San Luis Obispo with a water feature, concrete paving and a pergola.
Small Space Gardens
Small Space Gardens
The JCRD GroupThe JCRD Group
Design ideas for a small contemporary side patio in Los Angeles with a water feature, stamped concrete and a roof extension.
Sunnyland Residence
Sunnyland Residence
Rosewood Custom BuildersRosewood Custom Builders
Jenn Baker
This is an example of a large contemporary back patio in Dallas with concrete paving and a roof extension.
Palms Residence
Palms Residence
Electric BoweryElectric Bowery
Design ideas for a contemporary back patio in Los Angeles with an outdoor kitchen, decking and no cover.
Single storey rear extension in Surbiton
Single storey rear extension in Surbiton
VORBILD ArchitectureVORBILD Architecture
Single storey rear extension in Surbiton, with flat roof and white pebbles, an aluminium double glazed sliding door and side window. Photography by Chris Snook
Lakeside patios, walls, and stairway on Lake Somerset, 2015.
Lakeside patios, walls, and stairway on Lake Somerset, 2015.
honeck landscapehoneck landscape
Unilock pavers with bluestone paving. Unilock retaining walls with limestone cap and natural fieldstone walls. Saw-cut Limestone stairway.
This is an example of a contemporary patio in Other with concrete paving.
North Melbourne
North Melbourne
Normark LandscapesNormark Landscapes
Medium sized contemporary back patio in Melbourne.
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.
Fire Features
Fire Features
Nansemond Precast ConcreteNansemond Precast Concrete
Traditional Style Fire Feature - the Prescott Fire Pit - using Techo-Bloc's Prescott wall & Piedimonte cap.
Inspiration for a medium sized contemporary back patio in Other with a fire feature, natural stone paving and no cover.
Showcase - Backyard Retreat
Showcase - Backyard Retreat
Sisson LandscapesSisson Landscapes
Sisson Landscapes
Medium sized contemporary back patio in DC Metro with a water feature, natural stone paving and no cover.
Home Remodel
Home Remodel
Brooks & Company LLCBrooks & Company LLC
Werner Segarra Photography Inc. www.wsphoto.net
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary back patio in Phoenix with a water feature, decking and an awning.
Outdoor Design Project | La Verne, CA
Outdoor Design Project | La Verne, CA
Outdoor Elegance Patio Design CenterOutdoor Elegance Patio Design Center
Outdoor water fountain water feature by Matt Agostino
Design ideas for a small contemporary back patio in Los Angeles with a water feature, concrete paving and no cover.
Clairborne Model
Clairborne Model
Pizzazz Interiors II LLCPizzazz Interiors II LLC
Giovanni Photography, Cinnabar Design for Pizzazz Interiors
Design ideas for a contemporary patio in Miami.
DC Residence
DC Residence
Traut Landscape StudioTraut Landscape Studio
Designed while at Graham Landscape Architecture.
Photo of a small contemporary back patio in DC Metro with a water feature, natural stone paving and no cover.
Modern Homes
Modern Homes
HomeSpace Construction, IncHomeSpace Construction, Inc
Design ideas for a contemporary patio in Los Angeles with no cover.
Outdoor Living Area With Fireplace
Outdoor Living Area With Fireplace
My House Design/Build/TeamMy House Design/Build/Team
- Space has direct access from the kitchen/great room. - Boundaries of the existing patio area were expanded with paving stones - Lower level patio connected to the upper level with basalt steps. - New outdoor gas fireplace anchors the outdoor living area - Series of stone columns and wood rafters ‘frame’ the outdoor living room. - Fireplace provides a visual screen to the unsightly view of neighbour’s shed. - Raised hearth clad in slate provides additional seating at fireplace - Low voltage lighting mounted to a concrete cap, ‘grazes’ the face of the ledgestone fireplace.

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.
Elsternwick Addition
Elsternwick Addition
Sketch Building DesignSketch Building Design
Matthew Ware
Design ideas for a small contemporary back patio in Melbourne with no cover and decking.
4
123456789Next 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’.