Looking for patio design ideas to add wow factor to your yard? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re on a budget or the sky’s the limit, we have patio design ideas to fit every taste and space. In fact, we have 106 ideas, and they’re all conveniently sorted into 8 categories for your exploration, planning — and dreaming.
Patio Design: Types
There’s so much more to patio design than a traditional ground-level patio off the back of your house. Check out these distinctly different patio types and add a touch of the unexpected to your yard.
1. Corner patio: take advantage of unused space in a corner of your yard
2. Raised patio: these elevated versions are especially useful for sloping yards
3. Multi-level patio: add dynamic dimension to patio design with two or more connected areas
4. Floating patio: no water needed, this patio is simply not connected to any other area or structure
5. Sunken patio: dig down for patio design with unique positioning and privacy
6. Screened porch: screen all or part of your patio to make it a porch and keep pesky bugs at bay
7. Enclosed porch: take your patio and add a roof, walls and windows for all-weather, multi-season enjoyment
Patio Design: Architecture
Customize your patio design by creating an enchanting outdoor space that sets your yard apart. Engaging architectural elements bring your patio to life with height, texture and shapes. Plus you get the bonus benefits of shade, privacy and definition for your outdoor living areas.
8. Pergola: whether full or partial, pergolas filter light for shady comfort
9. Arbor: a distinctive patio design focal point featuring a trellis, planters, and benches
10. Moon gate: this traditional Chinese garden architecture symbolizes good fortune
11. Privacy screen/wall: part fashion, part function, choose a screen or wall that fits your style
12. Gazebo: sneak away to a shady gathering space on or next to your patio
13. Arch: create a unique patio entry point from your yard
14. Cabana: build a breezy option for cooling off poolside
15. Footbridge: connect your patio with your garden or another outdoor living space
16. Retaining wall: add depth and dimension with a wall for purpose or just good looks
Patio Design: Plants
Go green by intentionally adding flowers and plants to your patio design plan for lushness, beauty, fragrance, a bit of extra privacy and even some culinary magic. Design the backdrop for your plants using wood, concrete, stacked stone and more.
17. Built-in planters: anchor walls or built-in benches, or create a raised planting area
18. Flower boxes: add to patio-facing windows to enjoy from inside and out
19. Living wall: lush, beautiful, and made for privacy, living walls can be one- or two-sided
20. Living wall art: create mini “works of art” made of plants to adorn a patio-facing wall
21. Trellis: try a trellis in your patio design to add privacy with an attractive floral flair
22. Kitchen garden: plan spaces for herbs, fruits and vegetables using built-in containers or patio walls
23. Rock garden: a shallow area with decorative rocks is a good home for low-maintenance succulents
24. Privacy screen: plan a natural privacy screen with built-in boxes, planters in retaining walls or a dedicated ground-level area
25. Patio tree: accommodate an already-there fruit or shade tree, or design a spot to plant one
26. Potter’s bench: give green-thumbs a dedicated space to work and play
Patio Design: Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor cooking and eating defines the outdoor lifestyle. Bring the indoors out to the patio with a cool kitchen, bar or dedicated grilling area that turns the heat up on fun as well as function.
27. Full outdoor kitchen: go all-in with everything from sink to seating
28. Built-in grill: design a permanent home for your smoker or grill – or both
29. Bar: create a space to sit and sip with a traditional bar or one built café style against a wall
30. Window pass-through: this unique serving spot is perfect for patio design for small spaces
31. Pizza oven: get saucy with an authentic specialty oven
32. Gas grill line: extend your natural gas or liquid propane line and say goodbye to tanks
33. Built-in cooler box: just fill with ice for easy access to all of your favorites
34. Outdoor kitchen sink: convenient for cleaning hands, grill tools, barware and the catch of the day
Patio Design: Entertainment
Fun and games are made to order with patio design ideas focused on making the most of your time with family and friends. But you don’t have to share — they can be spaces just for you, too.
35. Big-screen TV: for the big game or a binge streaming session
36. Gaming pad: a 35-foot flat cornhole area can do double duty for ladderball and more
37. Hot tub: the ultimate in relaxation is also fun with friends
38. Giant checkerboard: challenge your opponent to king-sized checkers or chess
39. Outdoor gym: create a dedicated space in your patio design to focus on fitness
40. Horseshoe pit: design a pit adjacent to your patio for all-ages fun
41. Movie screen: tuck away a pull-down screen or add a stretched sail for projection
42. Zen garden: celebrate the serene with a this dry Japanese rock garden
43. Dog pool: set pavers around a sunken plastic kiddie pool -- remove the pool to use as a firepit
44. Outdoor shower: this one is obviously intended for private-time R&R
Patio Design: Materials
Think outside the patio box and mix up your look by adding creative touches and design combinations that bring color, contrast, texture and visual excitement to your patio design. Update or extend your existing patio, or start planning an all-new patio from scratch.
45. Organic-shaped perimeter
46. Concrete with ceramic tile
47. Brick with stone border
48. Circular paver pattern design
49. Grass with paving slab border
50. Stained concrete
51. Concrete with brick border
52. Stone with wood decking
53. Stamped concrete
54. Paving slabs with grass pattern design
55. Concrete with wood decking
56. Mix-and-match stones
57. Raked pea gravel with stone
58. Brick and concrete paver pattern design
59. Concrete with paver border
60. Stepping stones
61. Paving slabs with river rock
62. Ceramic tile with stone
63. Chevron paver pattern design
64. Stone with crushed marble
65. Concrete with pebble border
66. Painted concrete
67. Concrete with paver border
Patio Design: Sun & Weather Protection
Sun and weather protection extend time and enjoyment on your patio by shielding you from the elements. Go big or stay small. Create a stand-alone sheltered area or attach it to your home or another existing structure. Add just one to your patio design — or add more! It’s all about what works best for you and your outdoor lifestyle.
68. Awning
69. Open roof
70. Roof extension
71. Tiki hut
72. Sail shade
73. Pavilion
74. Closed roof
75. Overhang
76. Palapa
77. Cantilever umbrella
78. Lean-to
79. Curtains
80. Pop-up canopy
81. Roll-up shades
82. Slat wall
83. Shutters
Patio Design: Fire & Water Features
Heat things up or cool them down with fire and water features that take your patio design to next-level awesomeness. Gather ‘round with friends and family, or sit back and enjoy some well-earned quiet time. These options will redefine your patio space with remarkable results.
Fire
84. Fireplace
85. Firepit
86. Chiminea
87. Fire table
88. Kiva
89. Fire urn
Water
90. Wall-mounted fountain
91. Reflecting pool
92. Water wall
93. Water scupper
94. Bubbling rock
95. Integrated bird bath
96. Water sconces
97. Ground-level fountain
98. Waterfall
99. Water garden
100. Rain chain
101. Pondless waterfall
102. Rain curtain
103. Koi or fish pond
104. Stream
105. Moat
Both
106. Fire fountain
Wow! That’s a lot to think about! Choose just one of these 106 patio design ideas to add wow factor to your yard — or mix and match a few to really up the ante on the oohs and aahs.
At Archadeck, count on our experts to help you customize your patio to your lifestyle and budget and create an outdoor living area that’s uniquely you. Our local owners use only premium products and trained, licensed contractors, and are backed by Archadeck’s exacting standards, professional code of conduct and three decades of proven experience as North America’s largest deck, porch and patio builder. Contact your local Archadeck today to get started.