what to do to expand outdoor seating space in backyard?

last year

I’m under contract for a new house. There’s a small 10x15 covered concrete patio off the breakfast nook (the only back door in the house. I want to expand this space, but want to do deck instead of patio. The problem is that the foundation is slab and any deck I put, even covering the existing patio would be above the door threshold. My idea is to make that patio a sunken space and surround it by deck. Would it look bad if I made that 10x15 covered concrete patio a “sunken” space that steps up onto the deck? It has good potential to be an outdoor kitchen (but that sort of upgrade might position me too high neighborhood when it comes to resale).

Anyone have a sunken patio ideas? For that size of a space?

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Comments (7)

PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
last year
Check out in on Houzz https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/sunken-patio

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littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
last year
last modified: last year
I don’t know a solution but have a comment: A sunken anything is a recipe for disaster. Remember sunken living rooms? Always a bad idea, IMO.

Another comment: buy the home and live in it a bit before racing forward with a plan that might not be best for the long term. If you’re already considering resale, a sunken patio would likely be a negative selling point.
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PRO
Norwood Architects
last year
Would suggest you hire a landscape architect or at least hire a landscape company that has a designer on staff.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
We need to see your space so when you take possession post pics ere in comment s I have no idea without context
PRO
lisedv
last year
I don't see any pictures of your existing patio but in my view a sunken patio isn't a good idea, your space would look spacious if all on the same level.
dan1888
last year
Surrounding the concrete patio doesn't require two levels. The patio can be level with the house entrance. The deck under prep will require amendments to plain dirt for level and drainage. Very doable to make the finished deck, after the surface prep, to be level with the patio. Everything on one level will be the most expansive.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
It would be a no from me for a sunken patio. I have seen what happens - ugh.

If you get the right experienced contractor, you can have the wood next to the concrete.

The concrete area will be nice for a grill and maybe a fire pit at the edge, then have the seating on the wood deck.

We need pics to help you though.