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Pools & Spas Porches & Decks Design Dilemma

What would you change? How to modernize pool and patio

Power Couple Life

3 years ago

I want to modernize the back patio and pool area. Where do I start?

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PRO

Patricia Colwell Consulting

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

it looks to me like you have a stone house so you might want to be careful about too modern.Some more modern type landscaping and modern furniture would make a difference I think the pegola is too small of spacing between slats maybe change that to one with fabric cover instead or even a glass roof. I would do dark furniture frames with white cushions not wrought iron but maybe the rattan look and some matching loungers by the pool then add some color what ever you like in a couple of umbrellas by the pool and cushions

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Comments (8)

btydrvn
3 years ago
Your climate and location make a big difference..and whether the pergola blocks sunlight into your home that you would enjoy in the winter...colorful area rugs for seating and dining groups ....to define the different areas ...and overstuffed more comfy seating makes living outdoors more inviting...lastly large scale pots with bigger plantings will soften the affect of all the concrete and stone and make the space feel cooler and more alive...
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I don't understand why you would extend patio/porch to the right nor exactly what you mean by "build a porch that overhangs it" ...?? You might include a quick sketch that explains your intent and also say what the objectives of doing this are. Based on the existing roof line, I can envision such a proposal as being major and expensive. Per proposal #1, you mention constructing a retaining wall that ties in to the porch. I think we would need to see the area flanking the house, as now we're only getting a hint of it. Almost without exception, when considering landscape improvements to a home, it is important to consider the space that flanks the building and not just the space directly in front of it. The best way to show this is stand roughly in line with the center of the house (as you do in your second picture), pivot the camera leftward in order to see that portion of the yard, including the leftmost 1/3 of the house. Then, pivot rightward and take a second picture aiming straight at the house. (You already have this picture.) Then, pivot further rightward and take a third picture that shows the right-most 1/3 of the house including the right portion of the yard. These pictures are all taken without relocating, from the SAME viewpoint. Moving to different locations to take them destroys the possibility that they can be "cut" and "pasted" together in order to make a panorama that does a much better job of explaining how features of the property relate to one another. Sometimes people try to condense the effort into a single computer-generated panorama, but this does not work because it radically distorts the images and removes too much of the detail. @Emmarene, I think the door only looks off center because the point of view of the camera is lined up to the right of the door, not with the door itself. Phil, in raising the porch, you'd need to shorten the columns or replace them. Just guessing, but they look like standard 4" x 4" wood posts that are clad with "one by" material. If that's the case, they could be easily cut while you temporarily support the roof overhang.
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btydrvn
3 years ago
Depending whether you really want an outdoor lifestyle or just to make it prettier...the installation of draw down sunshades makes all the spaces more available all day
ShadyWillowFarm
3 years ago
Remove the metal railing between the pool and covered patio area. Area rugs for the dining and lounging sections. Since the pergola shadow is striped, you want to stick with chair cushions that are solid. Your furniture should be clean and simple too. You have lots of plants scattered about, a couple groupings would be better,
PRO
Mystic Pools, LLC
3 years ago
Not sure of your budget.

I can't tell the type of patio you presently have. If removing and replacing is a consideration, we prefer and recommend patterned Indiana Limestone. It's cool in the sunlight and have a classic look. The neutral colors coordinate well with tiles, coping and plaster finishes. We have used it for years.

Address pool plumbing upgrades while the patio is removed. Lose the slide and that black fence.
btydrvn
3 years ago
Power couple....usually a little back and forth adds to your benefit..any thoughts or questions from you ...may lead to ideas that fit your needs and budget... more specifically
calidesign
3 years ago
I would just get outdoor furniture that is simpler and more modern looking, like Patricia posted above. The wood pergola looks good with the stone house. You might want an outdoor rug to anchor your seating area and break up some of the beige.
Jennifer Hogan
3 years ago
I would love to make this into the quintessential outdoor entertainment space. I wouldn't change what is there except remover the fence between the pool and patio.

I see a great outdoor kitchen and a bar, both with counter or bar height seating. A few round tables with 4 chairs each around them - must be comfortable!. Add some paddle fans, a misting system. All seating must be comfortable. Around the pool I would have a couple of seating areas with 2 chairs and a small table between them so people who are swimming can sit and dry off or have a drink, also nice at night when it has cooled down and you just want to sit and enjoy the evening.

On the far side of the pool I would create a fire pit and seating (far from the house and shed so you don't burn anything down).

You could do a horseshoe pit, putting green or ping pong table.

Don't forget an outdoor sound system.

Think about how you will entertain, who you will have at your home and how you will enjoy using the space. No one cares how modern it looks when they are having fun.

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