Patio Ideas
A cedar post-and-beam structure frames the same edge of the deck. “It really helps to enclose the space visually,” Radutny says. It also will allow the homeowners to add a more substantial roof structure to the deck in the future. Its main use now is to hold up the LED-wrapped cables that crisscross above the deck and illuminate the outdoor space at night. The cable’s pattern was designed to slightly mimic that of the decking.
Potted plants line one edge of the deck, acting as a guardrail for the corner of the top platform. Vertical cables support climbing plants. The underside of the deck houses utilities and the air conditioning unit. Toys and garden tools are accessed via the double doors barely visible here in front of the concrete wall. The deck is finished with a clear-coat sealer and will gray over time.
Idea to try: Set a coastal theme with beachy accents. To avoid falling into beach kitsch territory, choose natural pieces that subtly draw a connection with the coast, or fall back on classic blue and white for pillows, rugs and throws. For example, try using a large shell-style planter (as was done here) or piece of driftwood as a vessel for planting succulents, or filling a low bowl with glass beach floats as a table centerpiece.
Browse outdoor showers Eclectic Deck by Design Fixation [Faith Provencher] Design Fixation [Faith Provencher] 7. Garden Dining in Scituate, Massachusetts For the deck outside their home on Scituate Harbor, on the coast of Massachusetts, homeowners Luke and Danielle Driscoll wanted a space for outdoor entertaining and dining as a family. Luke built the dining table and benches from cedar, and the couple laid down a blue-and-white outdoor rug, making the deck more friendly to bare feet. A giant clamshell-style planter made of resin houses a mix of low-water succulents and crushed shells.
n open window. There’s a lot to like about this deck, from the outdoor rug to the unique detailing on the accent chair. More than one commenter was intrigued by the kitchen window that opens onto the deck, creating a pass-through for food and drinks. The ledge beneath the window serves as a simple bar.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.) Witch hazels are deciduous trees, grown mainly for their late-winter to early-spring blooms. Tiny buds open on bare branches, unfurling to reveal strange, fringy flowers that feature a lovely fragrance. Some varieties bloom as early as fall in mild climates. Plant in a large container placed in full sun to partial shade along a walkway or in a small patio, where flower fragrance can be appreciated up close. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 8) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide; easily kept smaller in a container with pruning
Privet (Ligustrum spp.) Privet make excellent topiary plants, grown either in the ground or in containers. For formal or cottage-style gardens, try growing privet in pots trained into standard trees or trimmed into pyramids or globes. Small-leaved privets, including California privet (L. ovalifolium) and European privet (L. vulgare), are the species most commonly grown in gardens, and both thrive in containers in full sun to partial shade. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 7) Water requirement: Moderate; low once established Light requirement: Full sun or partial shade Mature size: Can grow to about 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 15 feet wide; easily kept smaller in a container with pruning
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Japanese maples make lovely container plants. Their delicate foliage practically shimmers when placed in a bright spot on a terrace. Many varieties, like ‘Crimson Queen’ and ‘Orangeola’, have spectacular fall foliage. Choose a generous container for potting up a Japanese maple, and move it into a spot that receives full sun in cooler areas and afternoon shade in hotter areas. These delicate trees grow best without much exposure to wind — if you’re growing on a patio or balcony, choose a sheltered area for the tree. Keep the soil in the container consistently moist.
Evergreen conifers, such as pine, juniper, fir and cypress trees, make good container plants, offering year-round interest and structure on patios, terraces and balconies. All conifer require well-draining soil in a container, and most thrive in a spot with full sun. Look for dwarf and slow-growing conifer varieties that stay much smaller and are naturally more well-suited for growing in containers. ‘Wilma Goldcrest’ Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Wilma Goldcrest’), for example, only reaches 3 feet tall and 18 inches wide when grown in a container.
Patio details: Walled urban dining Location: West Chelsea neighborhood of New York City Dimensions: The backyard is about 16 by 20 feet (4.9 by 6.1 meters), including the planted areas; the patio is a little less than 12 by 16 feet (3.7 by 4.9 meters) Material: Bluestone pavers Cost: $35 per square foot, including materials and installation Suk Design Group LLP Save Email This bluestone patio, surrounded by slatted fencing for privacy and serene green and white plantings, looks like a relaxing spot for a private dinner. To ensure that your patio will be large enough for an outdoor table, architect William Suk of Suk Design Group recommends leaving at least 2½ feet (0.8 meter) behind seating for circulation. “Make sure to prepare the subsurface properly for the pavers, and make sure the soil conditions are suitable for plantings to thrive,” Suk adds.
Medium-Size Patio for Outdoor Dining Goal: Build an outdoor dining space for a group of four to six people Approximate size: 10 to 16 feet (3 to 4.9 meters) long and wide In general, both round and square tables for four can fit comfortably on patios that are at least 10 by 10 feet (3 by 3 meters). Round tables that seat six require at least 10½ by 10½ feet (3.2 by 3.2 meters), and ideally 12 by 12 feet (3.7 by 3.7 meters) or larger. Rectangular dining tables that seat six can fit comfortably on patios that are 10 by 12½ feet (3 by 3.8 meters).
Patio details: Secluded side yard Location: Chicago Dimensions: 10 by 12 feet (3 by 3.7 meters) Materials: Mixed paving materials of stone, glass, tile and brick salvaged from other projects Cost: Very low cost given that materials were salvaged This cozy dining nook next to a home in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood feels intimate and inviting with a bistro table and chairs nestled under the leafy canopy of a redbud tree. “The extension of plants up on the walls and overhead makes the space feel larger,” says architect Gary Beyerl of Burns + Beyerl Architects. The roughly circular patio layout works well around a round bistro table and helps break up the corridor of the side yard. Beyerl constructed the patio using salvaged materials from other projects to create a mosaic-like floor of mixed stone, glass, tile and brick. Low stone walls protect surrounding garden beds from chairs that might be pushed back onto plantings in the narrow space. Tip: You can pick up salvaged materials for paving and other construction materials, often at very reduced rates, from local salvage yards.
Small Patio for a Bistro Set Goal: Create a cozy spot for relaxing solo or with one or two other people Approximate size: 6 to 10 feet by 8 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3 meters by 2.4 to 3.7 meters) You don’t need much space to support a small table and a couple of chairs. Most bistro tables range in width from 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meter), which will fit most patios. In general, you’ll want to allow at least 2½ feet (0.8 meter) from the edge of a table to the end of a patio to allow space for a chair and circulation. Working backward from this rule, 6 by 8 feet (1.8 by 2.4 meters) is roughly the minimum patio size you’ll want to comfortably fit a bistro set, although you can squeeze one onto a smaller patio.
String up lights for an inexpensive transformation. String lights can make the saddest of spaces look upbeat. Cost varies from about $10 to $175 per string, depending on the quantity of lights, material, bulb type and whether they’re heavy-duty-rated for commercial outdoor use. Most are in the $20 to $40 range. Design options abound, from small to large globes and with or without decorative shades. MTLA- Mark Tessier Landscape Architecture Save Email My favorite is strung paper lanterns. While paper isn’t an ideal choice for outdoors, you can find these in nylon and in a rainbow of colors and patterns. For maximum longevity, install them in a covered area.
Add drapery for privacy, sun protection, softness and drama. Drapery panels are effective at softening the harsh rays of the sun as well as making your patio a bit more private and cozy. They’re also more flexible than shades, allowing you to shift them left to right as needed. Use an indoor-outdoor fabric, such as Sunbrella, particularly for areas that are exposed to the elements. Also look for panels with weighted bottoms so they don’t blow into your barbecue if it’s a breezy day. You’ll need to anchor them to an overhead structure, like the underside of this patio overhang.
Bring some noise. Hopefully your backyard has the sound of chirping birds and buzzing bees; if it doesn’t, incorporating some nature sounds will be good for your mind and soul. The sound of water is not only relaxing but can help mask traffic and other unwanted noise. Big-budget landscape projects often incorporate water features, but you can enjoy the same benefits with a smaller, free-standng fountain. Margie Grace fashioned this glazed pot into one. Many nurseries sell the components or full kits to create fountains and ponds.
. Covered with a pergola. This rooftop oasis is designed not to entertain hordes of friends, but rather to act as an idyllic hideaway from the stresses of daily life. An all-wood combination of bench, pergola, flooring and fence unifies the design elements and provides a neutral backdrop to enhance the eclectic mix of greenery. For maximum practicality, make use of the space beneath the bench, as this designer did, for storing cushions when they’re not in use.
Space stretcher. Integrating a built-in bench into a compact courtyard garden is an efficient use of space. This wooden model is painted the same color as the walls and floor to unite the area. The trees and other greenery planted behind the bench trick the eye into believing that the garden is bigger than it is.
Section off your seating. With gardens being used more as outdoor dining areas, it is very simple to create distinct seating areas, even in smaller garden spaces. If you enjoy entertaining and eating outdoors, devote an area to outdoor dining with a table and chairs for alfresco meals. There are many styles of tables and chairs out there, from all-weather rattan to wood and iron or lighter metals. By using planters to divide the space, or low beds filled with scented plants or perennials or evergreens for structure and all-year cover, you can easily create another area for relaxing in. For a permanent solution to garden seating, build a bench-style seat. Or if you prefer to move your furniture around to catch the sun, try something portable and smaller, such as a bistro set; these come in a variety of styles and price brackets.
Roll down a blind. Shelter your deck from the sun’s heat with a solar shade that can be easily pulled up and down on a roller. These are particularly good for protection from the hot westerly sun in the afternoon, but they can be left open during the rest of the day to let you enjoy views. Choose a light-filtering fabric that reduces the glare and blocks direct sunlight without darkening the deck. Allow for tie-downs to secure the shade in place at the bottom during windy days.
Spider plant with dangling plantlets in an Australian vertical garden 2. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) The ultimate hanging container plant, spider plant is known for its plantlets, miniature versions of the parent plant that hang down from the ends of the leaves. You can leave them in place to enjoy, or cut them away from the plant to grow your collection. You can also get the babies started in a new pot next to the mother plant, even while they are connected to the mother and you are waiting for them to form roots. Keep the soil moist during this stage and remove the connecting stem when the roots have formed. Where it will grow: Generally grown as houseplants but hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 12) Light requirement: Prefers bright, indirect light but can take partial shade to partial direct morning sunlight Water requirement: Regular; keep soil moist but not soggy Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall and 6 to 24 inches wide
A hidden grilling station may be a good idea, especially if you have a modern house. You can see how the folding lid of this configuration neatly hides the equipment and provides protection for it.
Vine-covered patio. Enjoy dining or relaxing outdoors under the leafy boughs of evergreen vines and fragrant climbers. In this London backyard, the designer used a series of trellises, topped with fragrant wisteria and white-flowering climbing roses, to cast shade over an outdoor dining table. When choosing vines to plant over a trellis, consider whether you’d like them to provide shade, fragrance, color, fruit or all four to enhance your outdoor dining area. A few top choices include clematis, climbing roses, grapevines, chocolate vine (Akebia quinata, USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone), honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.), wisteria and potato vine (Solanum crispum). The table and chair combination in this backyard also cleverly increases flexibility. Set in the corner by the L-shaped built-in benches, the wooden table feels pleasantly tucked at the back of the stone patio, perfect for a dinner party of six. Pulled out to occupy the center of the patio, the table (plus more chairs) could seat eight people, with the option to seat more on the bench seats.
. French-style courtyard. Outdoor dining furniture, with the help of a few other elements, can be an opportunity to define the style of your garden or patio. For a romantic French-style terrace, for example, look for metal bistro chairs and antique outdoor tables to set the mood. Further the style with accents like traditional terra-cotta pots, trimmed boxwood globes, a stone fountain, metal lanterns and potted Mediterranean herbs
More ways to use Cor-Ten: In addition to raised planter beds, Cor-Ten is used in the landscape for retaining walls, lighting, trellises, fences, fire features and gates. “I would avoid using it for seating because of the staining and solar heat gain,” Adams says. Additionally, Cor-Ten is sometimes used in water features, but there is potential for staining. “If you like, or can accept, the staining, then go for it,” Adams says.
Common Cor-Ten Concerns: Rusty runoff: Rusty runoff on concrete sidewalks or sides of buildings is a common sign that Cor-Ten steel is nearby. The material is going to rust, there is no avoiding that, but you can detail the design so that it doesn’t stain surrounding materials. Bring it away from the concrete or design drainage to carry runoff away from paving. The rust stains will be much less noticeable if the planters are installed on gravel or mulch. “Over time, the rust becomes more stable and is less likely to rub off,” Adams says. Growing edibles: It is safe to grow edibles in Cor-Ten planters without any additional treatments, although some designers will install liners or other barriers between the soil and raised bed. “We usually coat the interior of the tanks with a food-grade waterproofing coat similar to that used in rainwater tanks,” Beck says. Heat: You may want to be careful about touching your raised beds on a hot day, as steel gains heat more quickly than soil. The raised beds will slowly transfer heat to the soil, however, keeping it warmer overnight. For this reason, plants might even benefit from growing in Cor-Ten raised beds, Adams says, as long as they re...
Maintenance: Cor-Ten planters are known for their minimal maintenance. “It’s one of those things you should be able to plop down and walk away,” Tiffin says. Although, like anything, you’ll want to check the beds from time to time to make sure nothing is failing.
Cost: A lot of variables go into pricing out how much a Cor-Ten raised bed will be. Factors that affect price include size, number of beds, location, terrain and whether the planters are fabricated on-site or in the shop. Pricing might be affected by whether you work with a designer or directly with a fabricator. Tiffin, who made these boxes in San Francisco, estimates up to $1,500 per large handcrafted box, plus an installation fee. The bigger the box, the more likely it will need to be installed on-site, which adds to the cost for labor. “In general, there is a higher upfront cost compared to wood, but the lifespan will be at least twice as long. Cor-Ten will outlast most other materials,” Adams says.
Whom to hire: You can hire a metal fabricator or metal artist, or your landscape designer or architect might outsource the work to a fabricator. Building Cor-Ten raised beds isn’t going to be a DIY project unless you have access to fabrication tools and have experience with welding, grinding and other metal prep. Some online shops sell Cor-Ten planters ready-made or in pieces. If that is the case, you can assemble them, if needed, plop them into place, fill them with soil and get planting.
Why Cor-Ten: “This is the best for long-term, low-maintenance raised flower beds,” says Philip Tiffin, of Five Twenty Two Industries, a fabrication shop in Oakland. “You’re talking decades.” Whereas other steels will continue to corrode, weathering steel rusts to a certain point. The rust forms a protective layer that slows down future corrosion. Landscape designer Andrew Beck used Cor-Ten steel for the round raised beds in the garden in Perth, Australia, shown here. The material creates a colorful contrast to the green foliage, and its thin profile allowed him to pack the planters in tightly for this artistic arrangement. “When we use mild steel, we have to anticipate greater levels of corrosion and therefore use a heavier gauge of metal, meaning it has a much greater weight and is more awkward to work with in the larger-size planters,” he says. Regardless of what’s growing inside them, Cor-Ten raised beds are striking design features that will add beauty to any garden.
It’s a good project for you if: You’re looking for a long-lasting, architectural material that will add an attractive “natural” look to your garden without any added maintenance. Additionally, the material’s thin profile takes up much less space than stone or wood, making it great for tighter spaces. Cor-Ten is very heavy, so it might not be feasible on some roof gardens or other places with weight restrictions. While Cor-Ten is more expensive upfront than wood, its longevity means maintenance and replacement costs are minimal.
What is Cor-Ten steel? Cor-Ten steel is the trademarked name for a weathering steel that is known for its distinct, rusty finish and is used on building exteriors and in sculpture and integrated into landscape design. While the U.S. Steel Corp. holds the trademark to the name Cor-Ten, the term is commonly applied to all weathering steel, a group of steel alloys that will gain a rust-like appearance over time. “When you buy weathering steel today, it may or may not be Cor-Ten,” says designer and fabricator Branden Adams of BaDesign in Oakland, California. Originally designed to eliminate the need for painting or any other protective coating, Cor-Ten steel develops a naturally oxidized finish over the course of a few years that not only protects it from further corrosion, but also makes it a desirable design material. “In this case, rust is ‘good’ in that it not only protects the underlying metal, but it also displays beautiful, earth-toned colorization,” says Montana-based metal artist Pete Christensen.
Trendproof While the previous patio had everything, this one does not have any of the aforementioned trends — good news for those of us with smaller patios. Because while we’re dreaming of pools, mountain or ocean views, elaborate outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces and large pergolas, none of those is a requirement for creating an enchanting patio space. Lovely stone, evergreens, a few flowers and a table at which to gather for an alfresco meal are just fine, thank you very much, as proved by the popularity of this London patio photo.
For groups of one or two people, smaller patios tucked into garden nooks — such as at the end of a pathway or beneath an ornamental tree — can feel more inviting than larger, more open spaces
3. Create a sense of privacy. Make your backyard seating area feel like a secluded retreat, rather than a place where you’re on display to neighbors, with the use of hedge plants, trees, fencing and arbors. Screening can be key in making small urban gardens feel inviting. In larger gardens, increasing the privacy around an outdoor seating area — such as surrounding a dining table with hedges and lush boarders — can help make a space feel more intimate.
Look up. Again, if space is limited, stop thinking horizontally and try going vertical. Stacking your appliances, extending shelving to the ceiling, and using wall space for rods and baskets will help you achieve the laundry room of your dreams, even in tight quarters. love colour of seats
. Purple and chartreuse. Give your spring containers real pizazz with a high-contrast foliage combination of deep purple and zingy lime green. The designer of this container garden combined plum-colored carpet bugle (Ajuga reptans ‘Black Scallop’) with lime-green creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Goldilocks’), purple-leaved Strobilanthes, African daisies (Osteospermum ecklonis ‘Lavender Mist’), and purple and gold pansies.
. Bird’s nest. No planting is required for this charming arrangement of moss, pussy willow branches and a decorative bird’s nest — available from craft stores. If you’re keeping the display indoors, mist the moss every few days to keep it green.
Miniature vignette. For a small-scale display — perfect for an elevated container where you can see the arrangement up close — plant tiny daffodils like 8-inch-tall ‘Hawera’ or ‘Baby Boomer’ in combination with pansies and hyacinths. If you’d like a bit more height, tuck in branches of pussy willow or budding forsythia.
A pass-through window connects the inside and out, and effective use of the vertical wall space envelops the area in greenery. The upside: A smaller garden allows you to actually enjoy gardening, rather than wearing yourself out trying to stay on top of it. Plant what you love.
Likewise, perhaps you’re used to a spacious back deck with room for lounging and dining. A compact backyard can still meet your needs for a restful outdoor escape and a place to entertain family and friends; you just have to be a bit clever about it. The owners have made the most of this rear courtyard with built-in seating and a barbecue.
Make a colorful backdrop for a focal point. Use tile on exterior walls to highlight garden focal points such as fountains, statues or sculptural agaves. In this Dallas garden, Texas, cobalt blue tiles set into the curve of the garden wall form a water-like backdrop for a classical fountain.
Add pizzaz to small patios. It’s easy to shy away from bringing patterns to small spaces, but a good dose of pattern with neutral colors can energize an area without feeling overwhelming. For example, this pint-sized patio off a basement could easily have felt like a dark, confined space, but patterned Moroccan tiles create an inviting stage.
Lay a shimmering path. With more variety of color and pattern than any other paving material, tile can be a great medium for backyard creativity. In this London backyard, landscape designer Sara Jane Rothwell and landscape architect JoanMa Roig Ortiz used a soft rainbow of Moroccan tiles to create a truly unusual garden path. Meant to resemble dragon skin, the zigzag walkway seems almost iridescent set into the lush green landscape.
Organic leaf-like shapes shimmer above the main planting bed, while a river mosaic flows down through a living wall. The cushions for the outdoor furniture were chosen to pick up the pink, green and gray in the mosaic’s river of color.
Create modern mosaics. Use garden walls and the exteriors of buildings as blank canvases for form and pattern. For example, the designer of this backyard in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood used traditional glass and ceramic mosaic tiles to create a lighthearted design.
Ground a table with a colorful tile “carpet.” In this Southern California backyard, flooring made of patterned blue, gray, black and white cement tiles brings the Moroccan theme of the home outside. “The patterned tile acts as a grounding framework, much like a large Oriental rug does to house a living room arrangement,” says designer Tatum Kendrick of Studio Hus. “The colors also create an interesting bohemian vibe under a mostly neutral furniture palette.”
The outdoor patio sits under a 42-foot-long steel cover that runs the length of the house. The Ikea sectional is “not a typical outdoor sofa
Bright Green Save Email In Los Angeles, a living wall of swirling succulents provides privacy and an attractive, fanciful view
This simple side-porch plan is ingenious. The partial wood wall separates its front-facing portion from the back, creating privacy for alfresco dinners and parties on the back side. Another issue this porch addresses is railing. If your porch is close enough to the ground (usually under 30 inches), you can skip them. Be sure to check local codes first.
A stone water fountain creates a soothing vibe for the outdoor dining area. The patio offers a great view of Disneyland's nightly fireworks during the summertime.
The Benedicts also created a social area surrounding the outdoor fireplace. This is where the couple hosts an annual Oscars party, with their invitees watching the show on a large outdoor screen.
AFTER: The new patio is made of poured colored concrete and slate. The couple can access the three-car garage and art studio from an alley in the back. no grass
Visually expand a small lot. In tight outdoor spaces, blank walls and fences can make the area feel confined. A living wall spanning the width of this San Francisco backyard tricks your eye into extending the property boundary up the hillside and into neighboring gardens. While the same visual effect could be achieved with layers of planting, a vertical garden saves room for outdoor play and entertaining.
Spruce up the side yard. Often a neglected area, a side yard can be turned into a meditative walkway or garden destination with the addition of a living wall. Here, swaths of plants in shades of green and purple create a beautiful wave-like pattern.
Consider areas that would otherwise be wasted. Look for places in the landscape that could become gardens designed to be viewed from above, such as the space beneath a floating deck or the lower level of a terrace. In this Los Angeles garden, a Japanese-inspired composition transforms a sunken space under the stairs. Rock gardens, complete with gravel raked into intricate spirals, work particularly well in areas with little foot traf
Eclectic Patio by New Eco Landscapes New Eco Landscapes Save Email A close-up of the bull’s-eye paving pattern proves that it’s equally stunning at ground level as it is when viewed from above.
Choose materials with eye-catching patterns. Look for materials that have natural variation in pattern, such as cut stone pavers, or create geometric patterns in how the material is set. In this backyard in Brooklyn Heights, New York, a brick patio laid out in concentric circles creates an interesting, unexpected pattern to look down on from the house
Carve out shapes with hardscaping. Look for opportunities to use hardscape materials in patios, decking and in built-in benches that create unexpected geometrical shapes. When viewed from above, this asymmetrical concrete patio made up of different-size concrete pavers is much more visually engaging than a standard rectangular patio. Using two stains for the concrete further emphasizes the shapes in the patio.
Lots and lots of plants. One of the best things you can do to boost the sense of being secluded among greenery and blooms in your garden is to obscure fences and walls with lots of planting. After all, who wants the boundaries of their space to get more attention than the flowers?
Beautiful brick. An old brick wall brightened by flowers and warmed by the sun makes a pleasing setting for outdoor dining. This charming garden keeps things simple with ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas and neat boxwood balls in terra-cotta pots.
Dark shades. Dark paints are de rigueur for exteriors this year, highlighting plants to perfection. Sultry shades also make walls recede: Use deep gray, dark navy or black if you want to blur the divisions on bare concrete block or give new life to an old fence.
Covered Indoor-Outdoor Living Area in Minneapolis Enclosing a porch or patio can be a great way to extend the use of an outdoor room in cold-winter climates. This enclosed lounge area in Minneapolis feels like an outdoor room — it’s one step down from the house and is furnished like a luxe patio — but it can be used year round. What could be more cozy than sitting by the roaring fire and watching the rain or snow fall outside?
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