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Escape Into 20 of Houzzers’ Favorite Outdoor Rooms

We look at the relaxing outdoor nooks, balconies and patios where our readers unwind at home

Annie Thornton June 22, 2018

Houzz Editorial Staff

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Summer vacation season is upon us, and with it come thoughts of escaping to serene, picturesque destinations. Fortunately, some lucky Houzzers don’t have to look far to feel as if they’re getting away from it all: They’ve created their own outdoor retreats at home.

Last month, nearly 200 homeowners and designers showed us their private outdoor sanctuaries, including a walled castle garden by the waterfront. Here are 20 of our favorites.

Escape Into 20 of Houzzers’ Favorite Outdoor Rooms

1. Beachy retreat. In Carlsbad, California, just north of San Diego, Houzz user paulalack enjoys views of the nearby Pacific Ocean from the ipe deck she built in front of her coastal cottage. An evergreen hedge along the street maintains privacy while also framing her ocean view.

With the lounge furniture, outdoor rug and plenty of throw cushions, this deck’s appeal is clear — we can see why she sometimes spends the night outside, listening to the waves and enjoying the cool air all evening long.

2. Secluded garden destination. An area close to Houzz user sriinmt’s home allows friends and family to gather and relax on two cushioned benches near the comforts and conveniences of the house. Nestled into a corner of the garden, two bistro chairs framing a ceramic garden stool offer intimate seating.

3. Breakfast with a view. On her covered patio in Portugal, Gina Rantanen enjoys snacks, sunshine, stunning views and a daily cup of coffee.

4. Garden sanctuary. Houzz user Jo’s favorite outdoor nook is this serene deck space, nestled between the front door and a neighbor’s garage. “Since it gets morning sun, the herbs, tomato and mini bog garden can enjoy the day, and we can savor a glass of wine after work in the shade,” Jo says.

Wood sling chairs and a painted rug center the intimate seating area, with leafy green foliage encircling it, spilling over the deck’s edges. The white flowers of oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) stand out in the garden’s sea of green.

5. Easy front porch. Donald describes his front porch as “my favorite place to be…every summer day.” He might also be speaking for the furry dog we see relaxing on the thick lawn next to it.

Regardless, with the light concrete floor, dappled shade (both from the roof overhang and the mature shade tree) and relaxed patio furniture, this front porch is a great spot for taking in the day — and catching up with neighbors.

6. View of the trees. From their newly built porch in Ontario, Canada, Jody Scott and her husband can enjoy uninterrupted views of trees and the nearby Beaver Creek. Painted crisp white and decorated with wicker furniture and driftwood art, the porch feels fresh and breezy and welcomes in plenty of natural light. “We are spending so much time out here now,” Scott says. “It’s a real treat.”

7. Room for a friend. Hello Pity has transformed a tiny balcony in Seattle into a container-garden oasis — in this case, for one “fat kitty.” The potted Platinum Blonde lavender with variegated foliage, seen in the foreground, “grows like wildfire on balconies,” Hello Pity says, adding that “it was supposed to be a figurative fire pit, since our condo doesn’t allow open flames.”

8. Rustic dining patio. You don’t often hear that a truckload of black locust logs — or any type of logs — inspires a backyard project, but nevertheless, that was the case with this covered eating area in a photo uploaded by George Pendleton & Co.

Framed by retaining walls, this rustic stone patio is used for activities ranging from evening cookouts with friends to enjoying quiet mornings with coffee.

9. Midwestern rooftop relaxation. From the roof of a two-story loft condo near Chicago, drheidi64 has a great spot for relaxing and entertaining in private. The roof features a hammock, an outdoor kitchen and dining area, and an edible garden.

On the sectional sofa next to the fire pit, this Houzzer likes to get a nap in on a cool night after enjoying a delicious alfresco meal.

FOXY OXIE Studio

10. Staged for gathering. Oksana Radionova of Foxy Oxie Studio shared a photo of the deck off her home in the South, decorated for hosting a social event. “We do have a few more projects planned for this area,” she says, including staining the deck and planting climbing plants. “For now, we’re so excited to enjoy the space as is.”

11. Indoor-outdoor living. Houzz user kfcohen’s recently renovated outdoor sala (Spanish for “living room") blends the indoors with the outdoors, opening directly to a garden. This home is in San Miguel de Allende, a Unesco World Heritage Site in central Mexico.

12. Porch life. The front porch in this photo uploaded by Susan shows that even a narrow outdoor space — this one is 4 feet by 15 feet — can be a great place to sit and relax. She says it’s the perfect size for her husband and her. “We sit outside every day,” she says. “We love it.”

13. Castle garden. From the protection of her walled castle garden in the town of Castelo de Vide in Portugal, Diane Jacobsen can enjoy the sun, the plants and the rocks.

14. Shaded terrace. Houzz user qurashi brought a taste of Italy to this rooftop terrace in Pakistan. The spot is “my little piece of Tuscany in Islamabad.”

15. A circle around the fire. This luxe outdoor seating nook shows how focusing on one element in a design — and doing it well — can pay off in a smaller space. Designed by K&D Landscape Management, this patio features four oversize lounge chairs encircling a small fire pit.

16. Colorful view. While a stunning view can make any outdoor nook feel more special and inviting, not all of us are lucky enough to have one at our disposal. Toni Zody improved the look of a cinder block wall off her back patio — and gave it a midcentury modern vibe — by painting some of the blocks bright colors.

17. Just add string lights. Houzz user carolb99 offers a great mantra and inspiration for homeowners looking to create a relaxing outdoor nook a home: “[Make] a life we don’t need a vacation from.” From the looks of this outdoor setup, it looks like carolb99 has the right thing going.

18. Serene simplicity. For Chad T., an inviting outdoor nook doesn’t need to have more than a bar stool, a balcony-height table and a good view. “It is just enough to sit, relax and enjoy the view,” he says.

19. Postcard of paradise. Adam P’s 1905 Beaux Arts balcony has been outfitted with small American flags for Memorial Day, but that surely isn’t the only time he uses it.

“One chair is all I need to enjoy beautiful sunset views over the park,” he says. The taller potted plants help shelter the seating area from strong winds. “My next trick? Trying to get a clematis vine going on the sunnier side of the railing.”

20. A taste of Provence. A patio umbrella, two bistro chairs and the sound of trickling water in this outdoor space nearly transport you to the French countryside. Take a cue from Bosler Earth Design: If you don’t have a garden nook but want the feeling of intimacy, create one with patio furniture.

Your turn: Share a picture of your small, beautifully lived-in patio, balcony or other outdoor nook in the Comments section below.

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