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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. outdoor lighting

Patio Ideas and Designs

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La Segreta - Guest House
La Segreta - Guest House
Eric van den Brulle PHOTOGRAPHYEric van den Brulle PHOTOGRAPHY
Inspiration for a mediterranean patio in New York with a pergola, gravel and a fireplace.
Kitchen courtyard
Kitchen courtyard
Lankford Associates Landscape ArchitectsLankford Associates Landscape Architects
Sheltered from strong southerly winds, the glass breezeway opens to embrace the working fields to the south. The paver patio is bound by a stone wall and arbor and was carefully sited around and under a 50 year old ornamental cherry. This farmstead is located in the Northwest corner of Washington State. Photos by Ian Gleadle
Bartlesville Outdoor Living
Bartlesville Outdoor Living
Tanner Consulting LLC- Landscape ArchitectureTanner Consulting LLC- Landscape Architecture
The large rough cedar pergola provides a wonderful place for the homeowners to entertain guests. The decorative concrete patio used an integral color and release, was scored and then sealed with a glossy finish. There was plenty of seating designed into the patio space and custom cushions create a more comfortable seat along the fireplace. Jason Wallace Photography
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Estate Residence
Estate Residence
Welcome Home Design GroupWelcome Home Design Group
Victor Coar
This is an example of a traditional patio in Other with a fire feature.
Patio
Patio
ODS ArchitectureODS Architecture
In the evening the garden walls are dramatically lit and the low planting wall transitions into a stone plinth for a soothing stone fountain. Photo Credit: J. Michael Tucker
Outside Interests
Outside Interests
ZEN Associates, Inc.ZEN Associates, Inc.
Nat Rea Photography
Design ideas for a traditional back patio in Boston.
Weekend In The Country
Weekend In The Country
Louis Fusco Landscape ArchitectsLouis Fusco Landscape Architects
Photo of a medium sized country back patio in New York with natural stone paving and no cover.
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Past Projects
Past Projects
Overstream, Inc.Overstream, Inc.
Blue Max & Belgard
Traditional patio in Charlotte with a fire feature and a gazebo.
Abramson
Abramson
KDL ArchitectsKDL Architects
Inspiration for a contemporary patio in Los Angeles with a fire feature.
Mill Valley Residence
Mill Valley Residence
Pedersen AssociatesPedersen Associates
Front yard renovation with new waterfall and bridge and fireplace seating area. Barbara Ries Photography
Traditional patio in San Francisco with natural stone paving and a fire feature.
Casa GB
Casa GB
Bernardo Pozas Residential DesignBernardo Pozas Residential Design
This is an example of a medium sized contemporary back patio in Austin with an outdoor kitchen, concrete slabs and a roof extension.
Farmdale
Farmdale
CxS DesignsCxS Designs
Inspiration for a mediterranean patio in Other with tiled flooring and no cover.
Checked Terrace Backyard
Checked Terrace Backyard
ARTOARTO
One of the many things that Armen and Vod were taught growing up is to work before relaxing, what great motivation to finish up the labors of the day and get to relax in this haven.
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Sammamish Outdoor Living and Backyard Makeover
Sammamish Outdoor Living and Backyard Makeover
Urban Oasis Design & Construction LLCUrban Oasis Design & Construction LLC
Jimmy White Photography
Photo of a large classic back patio in Seattle 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.
An Earthy Coastal Design In Florida
An Earthy Coastal Design In Florida
Beasley & Henley Interior DesignBeasley & Henley Interior Design
Photo of a nautical patio in Other with a fireplace.
Interesting Furniture Finds
Interesting Furniture Finds
DBR DesignsDBR Designs
The Designs by Robin Team picked up this distressed green bamboo console. added art from a local outdoor artist, and a small grouping of jugs to really complete the southern style of this back porch.

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 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 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 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 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 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.
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2017 Cleveland Homearama Model
2017 Cleveland Homearama Model
Otero Signature HomesOtero Signature Homes
Inspiration for a large rural back patio in Cleveland with an outdoor kitchen, a roof extension and natural stone paving.
Patio Doors
Patio Doors
A-1 GlassA-1 Glass
Design ideas for a medium sized classic back patio in San Luis Obispo with concrete paving and a roof extension.
Arlington Heights Outdoor Retreat Design
Arlington Heights Outdoor Retreat Design
UserUser
Garret Buell
This is an example of a rustic patio in Nashville with a roof extension and a fireplace.
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