Italian kitchen and mid century modern home

Example of a 1950s backyard concrete patio design in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Treve Johnson
Example of a large mid-century modern backyard concrete paver patio design in San Francisco with no cover and a fireplace

Mid Century Courtyard Remodel

SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture

Already partially enclosed by an ipe fence and concrete wall, our client had a vision of an outdoor courtyard for entertaining on warm summer evenings since the space would be shaded by the house in the afternoon. He imagined the space with a water feature, lighting and paving surrounded by plants. With our marching orders in place, we drew up a schematic plan quickly and met to review two options for the space. These options quickly coalesced and combined into a single vision for the space. A thick, 60” tall concrete wall would enclose the opening to the street – creating privacy and security, and making a bold statement. We knew the gate had to be interesting enough to stand up to the large concrete walls on either side, so we designed and had custom fabricated by Dennis Schleder (www.dennisschleder.com) a beautiful, visually dynamic metal gate. The gate has become the icing on the cake, all 300 pounds of it! Other touches include drought tolerant planting, bluestone paving with pebble accents, crushed granite paving, LED accent lighting, and outdoor furniture. Both existing trees were retained and are thriving with their new soil. The garden was installed in December and our client is extremely happy with the results – so are we! Photo credits, Coreen Schmidt

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Flagstone Patio with Custom Garden Beds

Ecology Artisans

Five months after install, we have nearly complete coverage by silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae). Very pleased how fast and flushed this came through. Looking forward to experimenting more with the possibilities. We also built the custom garden beds around the patio to provide non-compacted growing space for the client.

Oakpass

Dressed Design

Patio - 1950s courtyard patio idea in Other with no cover

Mid-Century Outdoor Sanctuary

Kraft Custom Construction

After completing an interior remodel for this mid-century home in the South Salem hills, we revived the old, rundown backyard and transformed it into an outdoor living room that reflects the openness of the new interior living space. We tied the outside and inside together to create a cohesive connection between the two. The yard was spread out with multiple elevations and tiers, throughout which we used WORD MISSING to create “outdoor rooms” with separate seating, eating and gardening areas that flowed seamlessly from one to another. We installed a fire pit in the seating area; built-in pizza oven, wok and bar-b-que in the outdoor kitchen; and a soaking tub on the lower deck. The concrete dining table doubled as a ping-pong table and required a boom truck to lift the pieces over the house and into the backyard. The result is an outdoor sanctuary the homeowners can effortlessly enjoy year-round.

Hypoluxo Island Mid-Century Modern home

Jacki Mallick Designs, LLC.

Andy Frame
Example of a 1950s patio design in Miami with a fire pit and no cover

Gentleman's Quarters - Oakland Hills Modern

LMB Interiors

Outdoor patio: Rug by Dash and Albert Photo by Eric Rorer While we adore all of our clients and the beautiful structures which we help fill and adorn, like a parent adores all of their children, this recent mid-century modern interior design project was a particular delight. This client, a smart, energetic, creative, happy person, a man who, in-person, presents as refined and understated — he wanted color. Lots of color. When we introduced some color, he wanted even more color: Bright pops; lively art. In fact, it started with the art. This new homeowner was shopping at SLATE ( https://slateart.net) for art one day… many people choose art as the finishing touches to an interior design project, however this man had not yet hired a designer. He mentioned his predicament to SLATE principal partner (and our dear partner in art sourcing) Danielle Fox, and she promptly referred him to us. At the time that we began our work, the client and his architect, Jack Backus, had finished up a massive remodel, a thoughtful and thorough update of the elegant, iconic mid-century structure (originally designed by Ratcliff & Ratcliff) for modern 21st-century living. And when we say, “the client and his architect” — we mean it. In his professional life, our client owns a metal fabrication company; given his skills and knowledge of engineering, build, and production, he elected to act as contractor on the project. His eye for metal and form made its way into some of our furniture selections, in particular the coffee table in the living room, fabricated and sold locally by Turtle and Hare. Color for miles: One of our favorite aspects of the project was the long hallway. By choosing to put nothing on the walls, and adorning the length of floor with an amazing, vibrant, patterned rug, we created a perfect venue. The rug stands out, drawing attention to the art on the floor. In fact, the rugs in each room were as thoughtfully selected for color and design as the art on the walls. In total, on this project, we designed and decorated the living room, family room, master bedroom, and back patio. (Visit www.lmbinteriors.com to view the complete portfolio of images.) While my design firm is known for our work with traditional and transitional architecture, and we love those projects, I think it is clear from this project that Modern is also our cup of tea. If you have a Modern house and are thinking about how to make it more vibrantly YOU, contact us for a consultation.

Midcentury Patio

Inspiration for a 1950s patio remodel in Chicago with no cover

Olema Road

Foley Built

Example of a 1950s patio design in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Neva Place, Highland Park

Platform

Example of a mid-century modern patio design in Los Angeles with no cover

Spanish Hills Whole House Remodel Entry Patio

Allen Construction

Architect: Thompson Naylor; Landscape: everGREEN Landscape Architects; Photography: Jim Bartsch Photography
Patio - 1950s courtyard stone patio idea in Santa Barbara with no cover

Eberhart

John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

Photos Courtesy of Sharon Risedorph
Example of a 1960s patio fountain design in San Francisco with no cover

Gates Residence

KRDB

Mid-century modern concrete patio photo in Austin with no cover

Neva Place, Highland Park

Platform

Patio - mid-century modern patio idea in Los Angeles with no cover

Shayan House

Michael Brennan

Example of a 1960s patio design in San Diego with no cover

Campton Residence

Colectivo Creative

Dorian Quiroga
Inspiration for a 1950s backyard concrete patio remodel in Austin with a fire pit and no cover

Silvertop

Jamie Bush & Co.

1960s courtyard gravel patio photo in Los Angeles with no cover

Lagom Residence

CB Architecture + Design

Eric Rorer
Inspiration for a large 1950s backyard concrete patio remodel in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

Mid-Century Modern Patio with No Cover Ideas

Outdoor patios are frequently viewed as an extension of indoor living space. Whether it's comprised of stone, brick or concrete, this paved area is often used as a socializing location, especially when there’s a grill or fire pit present. Throw in an outdoor dining set and some mid-century modern patio decor, and it can also become your favorite eating spot! As you browse 1950s outdoor patio ideas, keep in mind the follows tips and tricks to get the most out of yours.

How do I plan a proper 1960s patio design?

Planning out your mid-century modern patio design before your remodel is crucial. When perusing patio ideas, keep in mind that people use 1950s patios for different things, but they primarily use it as a space for entertaining and relaxing. Because of this, figure out what you want this area’s overall functionality to be. Will you have large groups over or a few intimate gatherings? Will you be serving food or are you more of a cocktail hour type? Secondly, take time to figure out what materials will work best for your remodel — different patio designs call for different materials, some of which might not work for your budget and space limitations. Then, decide whether you want a covered or uncovered area; think about any weather (rain or sun) that you want to protect yourself from. Next, determine what amenities are important to you; is an outdoor fireplace essential, or would a smaller scale fire pit work just as well? Do you need a big grill or will a smaller barbecue work for you? Lastly, much like any other room in your home, decorate the space to ensure that it's welcoming, interesting and aligned with your home’s style.

What materials can 1960s patios be made from?

As with any outdoor space, materials dictate the overall style and feel, so make sure your choices accurately reflect the vibe of your home. Stone and terra-cotta tile are common with mediterranean houses, while brick is most often seen in traditional homes. Concrete works well with almost any space and style, so it's always a great option when you're choosing patio materials. After you figure out your foundation, decide whether you want a covered or uncovered area. You can always add a pergola, arbor, awning or trellis for some shade, or you can let the sun shine down on your mid-century modern patio. As you look through pictures and compile your favorite patio design ideas, note which materials you’re drawn to and try to incorporate those into your own design.

What should I incorporate in my 1950s patio design?

Even though 1960s patios can be nothing more than paved slabs outside your house, they can also be so much more if you add the right touches. Fire pits and fireplaces are great for cooler nights, while an outdoor kitchen and bar make it an ideal party mecca. Regardless of what you do, a spot to grill and eat is a must for al fresco dining, and you need good furniture to truly enjoy even the most basic outdoor space. Depending on your budget and maintenance threshold, you can even splurge on a few additional patio ideas, like a hot tub or pool to warm up or cool down all year round.

How should I incorporate mid-century modern patio decor?

You won’t have to look far for retro patio decorating ideas, since every little thing can double as decor outside, including plants and flowers. You should make sure that everything you do place outdoors, like furniture, is weatherproof. That doesn't mean your mod patio can't look as good as any indoor living room! Rugs, throw pillows and chair cushions all come in waterproof fabrics, while coffee tables, side tables, sofas, sectionals and armchairs often come together in sets. Rope or string lighting are popular patio decorating ideas (as well as mood setters), as are candles, which can also keep bugs away if you get the right kind. Put together some flower or succulent arrangements in pretty containers and place those around your space to liven it up. Fun little accessories, like a garden gnome, tiki torch, bird feeder or umbrella can add more personality where it's lacking — keep your eyes peeled when looking at mid-century modern patio pictures to see what decor you can draw inspiration from. Learn more about the cost to install pavers

Olema Road

Foley Built

Patio - 1960s patio idea in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover