10 Takeaways From the Most Popular New Patio Photos
Spaces with water and fire features, vegetable gardens and even a backyard bar are the recent standouts
Becky Harris
October 11, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
A strong patio design creates an easy transition between a home and the rest of the yard. Materials, furniture, architectural elements, plantings and lighting are all important players in patio design, and Houzz users have taken note of their favorites. Here are 10 of the most popular patio photos uploaded to Houzz from July through September, as measured by the number of users who added them to their ideabooks in that period.
1. Backyard Bar
According to a “Stickybeak of the Week” article from Houzz Australia, these homeowners in Heathcote, New South Wales, didn’t have a pub within walking distance of their home. So instead, they brought the pub home by repurposing a backyard shed into a bar. Note how the window box and hanging plants soften the industrial-looking structure.
The bar has outdoor seating on the adjacent circular patio, which is made of brown decomposed granite. The outdoor seating is rustic and surrounds a Cor-Ten steel fire bowl.
According to a “Stickybeak of the Week” article from Houzz Australia, these homeowners in Heathcote, New South Wales, didn’t have a pub within walking distance of their home. So instead, they brought the pub home by repurposing a backyard shed into a bar. Note how the window box and hanging plants soften the industrial-looking structure.
The bar has outdoor seating on the adjacent circular patio, which is made of brown decomposed granite. The outdoor seating is rustic and surrounds a Cor-Ten steel fire bowl.
2. Bluestone
Bluestone is a natural stone quarried right here in the United States. Its irregularities add to its loveliness, and it has an elegant look — just right for this home in East Hampton, New York. And it complements blooms like the ones on these hydrangeas beautifully.
Bluestone is a natural stone quarried right here in the United States. Its irregularities add to its loveliness, and it has an elegant look — just right for this home in East Hampton, New York. And it complements blooms like the ones on these hydrangeas beautifully.
3. Separate Fire Pit Area
Iconic landscape architect Jens Jensen used to create round gathering areas he called “council rings” away from the house. The Danish immigrant considered them to be very American, as they were inspired in part by Native American culture.
Mini history lesson over — this Colorado landscape reminded me of Jensen’s council rings. Placing a fire pit area away from the house creates an inviting feeling of being away at camp, while the natural stone path and patio forge a strong connection to the house.
Iconic landscape architect Jens Jensen used to create round gathering areas he called “council rings” away from the house. The Danish immigrant considered them to be very American, as they were inspired in part by Native American culture.
Mini history lesson over — this Colorado landscape reminded me of Jensen’s council rings. Placing a fire pit area away from the house creates an inviting feeling of being away at camp, while the natural stone path and patio forge a strong connection to the house.
4. Soothing Sounds of Water
This Atlanta patio and deck were part of a major kitchen renovation. One of the new elements is a babbling waterfall that covers the sounds of the dense neighborhood and makes the patio feel like a relaxing getaway.
Find home fountains
This Atlanta patio and deck were part of a major kitchen renovation. One of the new elements is a babbling waterfall that covers the sounds of the dense neighborhood and makes the patio feel like a relaxing getaway.
Find home fountains
5. French Inspiration
This beautiful home and surrounding landscape outside Chicago were inspired by the French countryside. The brick patio surrounded by pea gravel, the folding cafe chairs and the vine-covered pergola help make this Illinois property feel like Provence.
If you want a little virtual getaway today, take a peek at more photos of this project.
This beautiful home and surrounding landscape outside Chicago were inspired by the French countryside. The brick patio surrounded by pea gravel, the folding cafe chairs and the vine-covered pergola help make this Illinois property feel like Provence.
If you want a little virtual getaway today, take a peek at more photos of this project.
6. Indoor-Outdoor Transition
A lot of the spaces classified under patio were a combination of covered and uncovered spaces, and so we’ll look at some of them in a story on popular porches. But this one is a good example of when the patio steals the show. The design here creates a pleasant journey from the driveway to the house. A curved patio is a step up from the driveway, marking a transition along the way. Then if you aren’t sucked in by that cozy orange chaise, the journey continues under a covered patio and into the home.
A lot of the spaces classified under patio were a combination of covered and uncovered spaces, and so we’ll look at some of them in a story on popular porches. But this one is a good example of when the patio steals the show. The design here creates a pleasant journey from the driveway to the house. A curved patio is a step up from the driveway, marking a transition along the way. Then if you aren’t sucked in by that cozy orange chaise, the journey continues under a covered patio and into the home.
7. Rustic-Luxe Mix
There’s a nice play between the comfortable upholstered outdoor furniture and the rugged look of natural stone and barn wood on the patio and house.
There’s a nice play between the comfortable upholstered outdoor furniture and the rugged look of natural stone and barn wood on the patio and house.
8. Serious Grilling
It seems that grilling isn’t just about throwing some hot dogs on a charcoal hibachi anymore (though that’s good too!). Grilling stations have become more elaborate, with the built-in grill surrounded by counter space, cabinets and sinks, and having room for everything from veggies to pizzas. I imagine that, with these Pacific views, it wouldn’t be difficult to fill the seats around this table for 12.
It seems that grilling isn’t just about throwing some hot dogs on a charcoal hibachi anymore (though that’s good too!). Grilling stations have become more elaborate, with the built-in grill surrounded by counter space, cabinets and sinks, and having room for everything from veggies to pizzas. I imagine that, with these Pacific views, it wouldn’t be difficult to fill the seats around this table for 12.
9. Pergola
Four out of the top 10 popular patios had a pergola overhead. These wooden structures provide shade but still leave the patio open to the elements. They make the patio feel more like a room.
Browse outdoor string lights
Four out of the top 10 popular patios had a pergola overhead. These wooden structures provide shade but still leave the patio open to the elements. They make the patio feel more like a room.
Browse outdoor string lights
10. Farm to Table
This covered patio in California’s Santa Barbara County is surrounded by edibles. They are protected in raised beds designed by the landscape architects at Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture. In spring and fall, chicken wire protects seedlings of vegetables and leafy crops like lettuce, kale, chard and cabbage from the birds. During the winter and early spring, the homeowners replace the chicken wire frames with Plexiglas frames. The design allows for the frames to be propped open for air circulation during the day, and then closed to protect the edibles on cold nights.
See more of this landscape
This covered patio in California’s Santa Barbara County is surrounded by edibles. They are protected in raised beds designed by the landscape architects at Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture. In spring and fall, chicken wire protects seedlings of vegetables and leafy crops like lettuce, kale, chard and cabbage from the birds. During the winter and early spring, the homeowners replace the chicken wire frames with Plexiglas frames. The design allows for the frames to be propped open for air circulation during the day, and then closed to protect the edibles on cold nights.
See more of this landscape
Share: What are your patio dreams? Do you prefer it to be completely open or with some cover for shade? Do you like to sit around a fire pit in cushy upholstered furniture or on a rustic campfire log? What kind of plants do you like to place around the patio? Please share with us in the Comments.
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All these wonderful open air patios - not one screen in sight. Beautiful open air patio ambiance is not possible in buggy Florida where mosquitos will carry you off beginning at dusk or earlier when you don't spray regularly. I especially envy the pix of the French-inspired Chicago pergola/patio. Sigh - reminds me of Tuscany, too.
Inspiration overload! Love it all! I am happy to say that I have three favorite spots in my backyard where I can sit and relax and forget about the weeds and the constant sweeping of fallen leaves. If I turn my head in any direction however the to-do list appears in my mind. But if I sit looking straight ahead all is well in my world.
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