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Contemporary Patio Ideas and Designs

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Small Garden in Hampstead Village, London
Small Garden in Hampstead Village, London
The Garden BuildersThe Garden Builders
Ben Robert - Blooming Photography
This is an example of a small contemporary back patio in London with concrete paving, no cover and a fireplace.
Modern Portland Landscape
Modern Portland Landscape
risa boyer architecturerisa boyer architecture
modern backyard with tudor home in Portland Oregon
Contemporary back patio in Portland with a fire feature and concrete paving.
Chelsea Courtyard Garden
Chelsea Courtyard Garden
Charlotte Rowe Garden DesignCharlotte Rowe Garden Design
Charlotte Rowe Garden Design. The new high-spec kitchen with limestone flooring opens out seamlessly on to the courtyard. Around the water rill are raised beds and bench seating, playing with the change in levels, all clad in the same pale limestone.
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Contemporary Patio
Contemporary Patio
Small contemporary courtyard patio steps in San Francisco with concrete paving and no cover.
Danville
Danville
Envision Landscape StudioEnvision Landscape Studio
photography by Joe Dodd
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back patio in San Francisco with a fire feature and concrete paving.
outdoor living
outdoor living
V.I.Photography & DesignV.I.Photography & Design
This is an example of a contemporary back patio in Orange County with a pergola.
Palo Alto Green Point Rated House
Palo Alto Green Point Rated House
Cathy Schwabe ArchitectureCathy Schwabe Architecture
2nd floor deck with outdoor shower + tub, living roof and built in bench. Architect: Cathy Schwabe Architecture Interior Design: John Lum Architecture Landscape Architect: Arterra LLP, Vera Gates Lighting Design: Alice Prussin Color Consultant: Judith Paquette Photograph: David Wakely
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Potomac courtyard
Potomac courtyard
Kirkpatrick DesignKirkpatrick Design
Design ideas for a contemporary patio steps in Houston with 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
Los Altos House
Los Altos House
Dotter & Solfjeld Architecture + DesignDotter & Solfjeld Architecture + Design
Photo of a large contemporary back patio steps in San Francisco with no cover and concrete slabs.
Rural House, Lancashire by Barnes Walker Landscape Architects, Manchester
Rural House, Lancashire by Barnes Walker Landscape Architects, Manchester
Barnes Walker Ltd - Landscape ArchitectsBarnes Walker Ltd - Landscape Architects
Barnes Walker Ltd Lots of comments about this project of ours and it's been included in so many ideabooks! Thank you. To answer a few questions: Yes, the cows are real. The paving is all natural stone, we used different types of natural sandstone in various unit sizes to create the effects and organisation of space. The aim of the design was to create a sunken garden leading out from the basement. The garden was to be a secluded, comfortable outdoor room and not simply a 'lightwell'. The surrounding landscape is very flat and the winds can be harsh. This layout offers the homeowners shelter.
Various Projects
Various Projects
Harrington PorterHarrington Porter
Contemporary patio steps in London.
Menlo Park garden
Menlo Park garden
Sycamore DesignSycamore Design
This intimate garden utilizes a no-mow lawn, a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and ipe-deck. Photo Credit: Megan Keely
Photo of a medium sized contemporary back patio in San Francisco with a fire feature, decomposed granite and no cover.
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Newtown House
Newtown House
Hindley & Co Architecture & Interior DesignHindley & Co Architecture & Interior Design
Tatjana Plitt
This is an example of a contemporary patio steps in Melbourne.
Glencoe Residence 2
Glencoe Residence 2
Prairie Blue LandscapesPrairie Blue Landscapes
Linda Oyama Bryan
This is an example of a contemporary patio steps in Chicago with a pergola.
MALVERN HOUSE Melbourne Australia
MALVERN HOUSE Melbourne Australia
DDB Design Development & BuildingDDB Design Development & Building
Design ideas for a contemporary courtyard patio steps in Melbourne.
Tusculum Residence
Tusculum Residence
Smart Design StudioSmart Design Studio
Tusculum Residence courtyard. Architect William Smart
Photo of a contemporary patio steps in Sydney with no cover.

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.
landscape architecture
landscape architecture
Birte ReimerBirte Reimer
Ashland Ave, landscape architecture by kinggardendesign Santa Monica
This is an example of a contemporary patio steps in Los Angeles with concrete slabs and no cover.
Stunning Contemporary
Stunning Contemporary
Knight Architects LLCKnight Architects LLC
Renovation of a ranch with a great room and kitchen opening up to new conrete terrace with built in fireplace, grill and planter. Pete Weigley
Inspiration for a contemporary back patio in New York with a fire feature, gravel and no cover.
Harrisdale
Harrisdale
Tim Davies Landscaping | PerthTim Davies Landscaping | Perth
Grab Photography
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary patio steps in Perth with no cover.
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