Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Readers' Choice: The Top 20 Patios of 2011
Be warned — the most popular patio photos from 2011 may make you long for summer
From desert landscapes to foggy mountains to lakeside cabins, the top patio photos this year showcase the diverse locations that Houzz users call home. And while Houzzers were all about modern and contemporary patios this year, stunning traditional and eclectic outdoor areas also rose up in the ranks.
Take a look the 20 most popular patio photos uploaded to Houzz in 2011. Which one is your favorite?
More Readers' Choice winners of 2011:
Kitchens | Bedrooms | Baths | Offices | Living Rooms | Kids' Rooms | Laundry Rooms
Take a look the 20 most popular patio photos uploaded to Houzz in 2011. Which one is your favorite?
More Readers' Choice winners of 2011:
Kitchens | Bedrooms | Baths | Offices | Living Rooms | Kids' Rooms | Laundry Rooms
| 1. Houzzers loved the casual contemporary look of this outdoor patio. The fireplace is partially surrounded by a built-in bench with added light fixtures, and cold slate tile contrasts with the terra cotta walls. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 2. The wall surrounding this outdoor patio made this photo worth bookmarking for many Houzz users. Houzzers were inspired by the built-in planters and all of the seating that this practical wall provided. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
3. Placing an outdoor dining area right outside of a kitchen and indoor dining area is the perfect way to transition your home from the indoors to the outdoors. Houzzers loved the simple setup and the beautiful shade provided by the wisteria on the arbor.
|
by Prideaux Design
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 4. This desert patio is anything but barren. The mix of succulents and stone make the space feel full and fresh. Houzz users bookmarked this space for the great modern furniture, the colorful ceramic planters and the pops of orange and blue throughout the design. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 5. The blend of materials in this photo caught the eye of modern-landscape-loving Houzzers. The redwood and steel arbor and subtle greenery warm the all-concrete patio. |
by Incorporated
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
6. Ipe — a tropical wood — was used in a lot of patios on Houzz this year. Users loved the reddish tone of the wood in this patio and the maze-like feel of the gardens surrounding the space.
| 7. This lush back patio area is the perfect place for outdoor entertaining. The multiple seating areas can hold many groups of people. Houzz users loved the vines on the brick walls, and the blend of the brick and the slate tiles. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 8. If you're trying to figure out the best way to hold an impromptu outdoor dinner party, use this designer's solution as inspiration. Chic black and white textiles always look fresh and clean, and can dress up even the most casual outdoor space. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 9. The great thing about this outdoor patio is that it's perfect for any time of year. While it's clearly well-suited for summer, the fireplace, covered patio and covered outdoor kitchen make it a cozy refuge on chilly winter nights. |
| 10. Houzzers were drawn to the clean linear shape of this concrete and wood outdoor dining area. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 11. This luxurious patio has just about everything you'd want in an outdoor room. A TV, covered living space and outdoor terrace are all visible in this shot. Houzz users loved the curtains along the longer walls in this outdoor room — it's a great way to retain heat in the winter or block the sun during a daytime movie. |
|
by Suzanne O'Brien
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 12. The winding shape of this built-in bench made it bookmark-worthy for many Houzz users. Users especially loved the warm and tropical feel that the bold terra-cotta color on the cushions gave the cold concrete bench. |
by Andre laurent
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
13. The simple design of this outdoor patio follows the "less is more" mentality. The lines of the roof and the deck lead your eye to the opposite end of the house, and make the space seem longer. Houzzers loved the sliding glass doors and the blending of the indoors and the outdoors.
| 14. The sculptural fence in this shot has an amazing effect on this outdoor patio. The light creates its own design on the fence. It's bold enough that no other decor is necessary. |
15. Houzzers loved the contrast between the green granite countertop and the reddish Ipe wood on this outdoor kitchen. This photo was also bookmarked for layout inspiration — the kitchen has plenty of room for cooking, serving up drinks and eating a full meal.
by Sandy Koepke
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
16. Rich, lus, and exotic are some of the first words that come to mind when viewing this magical outdoor hideaway. Users loved the eclectic mish-mash of lanterns, textiles and foliage.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 17. It's hard to say what's more striking about this beautiful patio — the view or the stunning construction of the patio itself. Houzzers loved the exposed wood ceiling and beams, and the elegant interior-like look of the fireplace and the kitchen cabinetry. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 18. Everything about this long and narrow outdoor patio in Mexico is pretty fabulous, but observant Houzzers bookmarked this photo for the unique bamboo ceiling treatment. The beautiful colors on the outdoor pillows were another favorite feature, as were the fantastic outdoor lanterns next to each column. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 19. These built-in benches are a great way to make use of any and all space in a walled-in patio. Instead of staying away from the walls, this designer embraced them! The corner space became a cozy sitting room. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| 20. Houzz users loved the smart use of a sectional couch in this room. The L-shaped couch provides ample seating and keeps the room cozy. Tell us: Which outdoor space suits your style best? See photos of the all-time most popular patio photos on Houzz |
Ideabook updated on March 18, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
Hittmeier Design Consultants, David Hittmeier