Photo by Chad Holder

Modern built-in concrete seating area includes custom made couch cushions and a geometric fire pit. Surrounded by synthetic grass and flagstone, this side yard uses neutral colors to highlight the Santa Barbara view. Waterwise landscaping surrounds the yard. Stone edging is used to separate turf and gravel.

The Woodlands

Peacock Pavers

Buff colored concrete by Peacock Pavers. Photographer: Fran Brennan

Leaside Project

Curbz Landscaping Inc.

Valle Vista House

Giulietti Schouten Weber Architects

Sally Painter

Garden

User

Serenity Solis - Brown Jordan Structures

Structureworks Fabrication

This contemporary aluminum pergola kit design by Brown Jordan Structures offers its exclusive Suncloth fabric providing protection from the suns rays while creating a beautiful outdoor room. A powder coated finish in Titanium and a low maintenance structural aluminum material provides a lifetime of enjoyment and use. Paired with Brown Jordan Furniture, this outdoor dining area is simple yet refined. With this easy to install Serenity-Solis pergola kit you will be ready to enjoy your patio and guests every day. Unique "L" shaped support posts add a charming subtle accent.

60th Street

Baran Studio Architecture

Scott Hargis

Villa Leucate

Jade Orticoni - Blanc Corail

U shaped outdoor kitchen and bar area

The Garden District

This "U" shape outdoor kitchen with raised Bar, stacked stone and dark granite over paver flooring is an amazing way to complement your beautiful backyard when you have a smaller patio.

Pool Cabana

Nyhus Design Group

Designed to compliment the existing single story home in a densely wooded setting, this Pool Cabana serves as outdoor kitchen, dining, bar, bathroom/changing room, and storage. Photos by Ross Pushinaitus.

DC Residence

Traut Landscape Studio

Designed while at Graham Landscape Architecture.

carport

Softwoods

gable pergola carport attached to a heritage home. Using a combination of colorbond and suntuf roofing to enable light to penetrate the structure. Decorative timber slat frieze and gable ends finish off the look

Tamalpais

TOTAL CONCEPTS

Valley Contemporary Custom Home

Dickerson Construction, Inc.

JAZ Architecture

Gulf-Front Grandeur

E. F. San Juan

Gulf-Front Grandeur Private Residence / Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: Hufham Farris Construction --- This one-of-a-kind Gulf-front residence in the New Urbanism community of Alys Beach, Florida, is truly a stunning piece of architecture matched only by its views. E. F. San Juan worked with the Alys Beach Town Planners at Khoury & Vogt Architects and the building team at Hufham Farris Construction on this challenging and fulfilling project. We supplied character white oak interior boxed beams and stair parts. We also furnished all of the interior trim and paneling. The exterior products we created include ipe shutters, gates, fascia and soffit, handrails, and newels (balcony), ceilings, and wall paneling, as well as custom columns and arched cased openings on the balconies. In addition, we worked with our trusted partners at Loewen to provide windows and Loewen LiftSlide doors. Challenges: This was the homeowners’ third residence in the area for which we supplied products, and it was indeed a unique challenge. The client wanted as much of the exterior as possible to be weathered wood. This included the shutters, gates, fascia, soffit, handrails, balcony newels, massive columns, and arched openings mentioned above. The home’s Gulf-front location makes rot and weather damage genuine threats. Knowing that this home was to be built to last through the ages, we needed to select a wood species that was up for the task. It needed to not only look beautiful but also stand up to those elements over time. Solution: The E. F. San Juan team and the talented architects at KVA settled upon ipe (pronounced “eepay”) for this project. It is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water (you would not want to make a boat out of ipe!). This species is also commonly known as ironwood because it is so dense, making it virtually rot-resistant, and therefore an excellent choice for the substantial pieces of millwork needed for this project. However, ipe comes with its own challenges; its weight and density make it difficult to put through machines and glue. These factors also come into play for hinging when using ipe for a gate or door, which we did here. We used innovative joining methods to ensure that the gates and shutters had secondary and tertiary means of support with regard to the joinery. We believe the results speak for themselves! --- Photography by Layne Lillie, courtesy of Khoury & Vogt Architects

SoCal Model 4

BLACKHAūS Design

Side yard with "doggie daycare" spaces to demonstrate safe / sheltered interaction.

Point Loma Contemporary

Charco DESIGN & BUILD Inc.

Elm Street Residence

Fiona Sinclair Design Studio

Project by James K M Cheng Architects Photo by Ema Peter

Roseneath Patio

Homescapes

White washed pine seating, horizontal screening and native planting

Contemporary Side Yard Patio Design Ideas

A patio is a paved outdoor area that adjoins a house, and is a popular addition to Australian and New Zealand homes. Not only is it yet another place to enjoy the great outdoors, but it can also save you time and money on landscaping. Often seen as an extension of the indoor living space, contemporary patios and courtyards can serve multiple functions. If you add outdoor furniture such as lounge chairs and a sofa, a barbecue or outdoor kitchen and a dining table and chairs, you can use them for entertaining, cooking, dining, and relaxing. Browse the Photos on Houzz for courtyard and patio designs to see how you can best utilise your existing outdoor area.

What materials should I use to construct my patio?

Stone pavers and bricks are the most common surface materials used for patios, while concrete, tiles and gravel are also popular. Stone paving is usually at the top end of the price bracket, but is highly durable and the most natural-looking of the surface materials available. Brick patios, on the other hand, are relatively easy to lay, and provide a warm, rich colour that can complement traditional homes. Concrete patios are one of the least expensive to build and are also very durable, while gravel is quick and easy to install. You will also need to decide whether you want your contemporary patio covered or left uncovered. You can add roofing if you plan on using the space regularly, or opt for a pergola, trellis or umbrella for shade instead. Patio enclosures, usually made from glass or mesh screens, can also transform your space into an outdoor room.

What outdoor patio furniture and decor should I include?

A contemporary patio can be so much more than just a paved slab, if you add the right additions. An outdoor kitchen and bar will help make the space the life of the party, while high-quality, low-slung chairs will make you want to stay outside for longer. If you have the budget, you may even consider adding a spa or pool. To make it the ideal al fresco area even when temperatures drop, a fire pit or fireplace will be able to keep you and your company toasty warm. To entice you and your guests into the space, make some room for greenery, even if you just a place a pot plant atop a table. It will help tie in the area to the surrounding garden. Fairy lights, garden torches and citronella candles will also help set the mood and keep the mozzies at bay, while soft furnishings such as waterproof rugs, pillows and chair cushions will add personality. For something striking, consider adding a water feature or wall garden. If you're ready to hire a landscape professional to help you with the job, browse our directory here!