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  3. Contemporary

Contemporary Patio Ideas and Designs

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The Rocks Penthouse Terrace
The Rocks Penthouse Terrace
inovasis designinovasis design
An 18m penthouse terrace in the historical Sydney precinct 'The Rocks'. We designed a combined vertical garden and water feature as the focal point for this unusual and challenging space (only 2m at its widest). Made from the wonderfully textured and colored Corten Steel to compliment the existing elements of Sydney sandstone, recycled wharf timber, and lead, the half moon gardens house a tough collection of succulents, suspended over a bubbling up lit water trough. Contemporary easy chairs and side table provide a private zone perfect for enjoying the soothing sounds of the water, coupled with matching bar stools that beg to be sat on with a glass of bubbly in hand over looking Sydney CBD and the wonderful St Patricks Church below. Cloud pruned conifers provide an air of elegance and sophistication whilst fruiting olive trees provide an abundance of fruit for wicked martini's. To compliment all of the elements we custom designed 'The Cog' - a Corten and powder coated steel planter for one of the olive trees and an under planting of thyme. Kev Quelch
Project of the Month: April 2016
Project of the Month: April 2016
TCP Custom Outdoor LivingTCP Custom Outdoor Living
This family wanted a contemporary structure that blended natural elements with with grays and blues. This is a unique structure that turned out beautifully. We went with powder coated 6x6 steel posts hiding all of the base and top plates creating a seamless transition between the structure and travertine flooring. Due to limitations on spacing we added a built-in granite table with matching powder coated steel frame. This created a unique look and practical application for dining seating. By adding a knee wall with cedar slats it created an intimate nook while keeping everything open. The modern fireplace and split style kitchen created a great use of space without making if feel crowded. Appliances: Fire Magic Diamond Echelon series 660 Grill RCS icemaker, 2 wine fridges and RCS storage doors and drawers 42” Heat Glo Dakota fireplace insert Cedar T&G ceiling clear coated with rope lighting Powder coated posts and granite table frame: Slate Gray Tile Selections: Accent Wall: Glass tile (Carisma Oceano Stick Glass Mosaic) Dark Tile: Prisma Griss Light Tile: Tessuto Linen Beige White Flooring: Light Ivory Travertine 3cm granite: Light: Santa Cecilia Dark: Midnight Grey Kitchen Appliances: 30" Fire Magic Diamond Series Echelon 660 2 - RCS wine fridges RCS storage doors and drawers Fire Place: 36" Dakota heat glo insert TK Images
Bedford Gardens
Bedford Gardens
IQ Glass UKIQ Glass UK
A contemporary, family living room and kitchen now overlooks a carefully designed courtyard garden, through slim frame sliding glass doors
Design ideas for a contemporary back patio in Other with no cover.
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Create an outdoor oasis and keep cool with a motorized awning
Create an outdoor oasis and keep cool with a motorized awning
Somfy SystemsSomfy Systems
Design ideas for a contemporary patio in New York with an awning.
House 2022
House 2022
House of OriginHouse of Origin
New indoor/outdoor space, opening onto kitchen. Fiona Susanto
Design ideas for a small contemporary courtyard patio in Sydney with a potted garden, decking and no cover.
Small West London Courtyard
Small West London Courtyard
Karen Rogers at KR Garden DesignKaren Rogers at KR Garden Design
Addison Gardens, Kensington
This is an example of a contemporary patio in London.
Contemporary Patio
Contemporary Patio
Contemporary patio in Denver.
Gold Medal show garden 2012 M.I.F.G.S. The Conversation Garden
Gold Medal show garden 2012 M.I.F.G.S. The Conversation Garden
Paal Grant Designs In LandscapingPaal Grant Designs In Landscaping
Patrick Redmond
This is an example of a contemporary back patio in Melbourne with a fire feature, decking and a gazebo.
2015 National Award Winning Ipe Deck
2015 National Award Winning Ipe Deck
Deck Remodelers.comDeck Remodelers.com
Multi-level Ipe deck with mahogany feature wall, unique pergola and tigerwood covered structure and paver patio.
Contemporary back patio in New York.
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.
Outdoor Design
Outdoor Design
Concept 2 DesignConcept 2 Design
Denice Lachapelle
Photo of a medium sized contemporary back patio in Miami with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone paving and a pergola.
Work
Work
Memories in Metal Inc.Memories in Metal Inc.
This is an example of a contemporary patio in Calgary.
Outdoor Fireplace and Patio
Outdoor Fireplace and Patio
Eisler LandscapesEisler Landscapes
The exposed aggregate patio provides a seating area and features an unit masonry fireplace and outdoor kitchen.
Small contemporary back patio in Other with a fire feature and concrete slabs.
Barretta
Barretta
Huettl Landscape ArchitectureHuettl Landscape Architecture
Huettl Landscape
Photo of a contemporary patio in San Francisco with a fire feature.
Contemporary Patio
Contemporary Patio
Inspiration for a large contemporary back patio in Sydney with a bar area.
Pergola Garden
Pergola Garden
Fenton Roberts Garden DesignFenton Roberts Garden Design
Jo Fenton
Design ideas for a medium sized contemporary back patio in London with a living wall and natural stone paving.
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.
Hemingway
Hemingway
AVID Associates LLCAVID Associates LLC
A modern firepit area at a modern home designed by AVID Associates Michael Hunter
Inspiration for a large contemporary back patio in Dallas with a fire feature, concrete paving and no cover.
Arbor Screen for Hot Tub
Arbor Screen for Hot Tub
Pony Lawncare and LandscapingPony Lawncare and Landscaping
We installed this arbor to shield the client from neighbors while enjoying their hot tub
Design ideas for a small contemporary back patio in Columbus with natural stone paving and a pergola.

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.
Larchmont, NY- Floating Deck
Larchmont, NY- Floating Deck
De La Paz MasonryDe La Paz Masonry
Medium sized contemporary back patio in New York with concrete paving and no cover.
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