Landscape Design
10 Outdoor Pavilions for Savoring Summer
See the layouts and features that make these open-air gathering spots a joy to hang out in
With its solid roof, a pavilion offers more protection from sun and rain than a pergola typically does. It’s usually larger too, meaning more space for lounging, noshing and sometimes even cooking. Here you’ll see just how designers decked out both freestanding and attached pavilions to make them eminently comfortable for gathering with friends and family during the summertime — and in some cases, even beyond.
2. Farm Fresh
On a 3.2-acre property in rural Vermont, this pavilion offers views of bucolic farmland with the comforts of an indoor room: ceiling fans, a chandelier, a kitchen, and dining and lounging areas. The pavilion isn’t just for summer, though. In winter, the family of five sets up an ice hockey rink off the right side of it and catch hockey games on the TV. Peregrine Design Build included a fireplace to help keep things cozy, while built-in speakers, Wi-Fi and an outlet round out the amenities.
Behind where this photo was taken from lies a pool, so the pavilion is conveniently located for taking a break from splashing around.
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On a 3.2-acre property in rural Vermont, this pavilion offers views of bucolic farmland with the comforts of an indoor room: ceiling fans, a chandelier, a kitchen, and dining and lounging areas. The pavilion isn’t just for summer, though. In winter, the family of five sets up an ice hockey rink off the right side of it and catch hockey games on the TV. Peregrine Design Build included a fireplace to help keep things cozy, while built-in speakers, Wi-Fi and an outlet round out the amenities.
Behind where this photo was taken from lies a pool, so the pavilion is conveniently located for taking a break from splashing around.
Read more about this project
3. Simple Pleasure
Deceptively simple and utterly serene, this Northern California pavilion sits adjacent to a pool and flows beautifully with the pool deck. Designer Colin Miller of Envision Landscape Studio drew inspiration from Japanese design, particularly its consideration of the relationship between wood and water. With its large swaths of wood, including on the ceiling, the pavilion celebrates clean lines, while its openness on three sides nurtures a connection with nature.
A fireplace, a TV, comfy seating and a countertop for holding food and drinks turn the pavilion into a true lounge. And this is just one part of an extensive makeover that took the backyard from haphazard to calm and collected.
Read more about this project
Deceptively simple and utterly serene, this Northern California pavilion sits adjacent to a pool and flows beautifully with the pool deck. Designer Colin Miller of Envision Landscape Studio drew inspiration from Japanese design, particularly its consideration of the relationship between wood and water. With its large swaths of wood, including on the ceiling, the pavilion celebrates clean lines, while its openness on three sides nurtures a connection with nature.
A fireplace, a TV, comfy seating and a countertop for holding food and drinks turn the pavilion into a true lounge. And this is just one part of an extensive makeover that took the backyard from haphazard to calm and collected.
Read more about this project
4. Playing the Field
With a half-acre of blank slate to worth with, designers Steve Waldron and Kevin Kurdziolek of Pristine Acres had plenty of room for this poolside pavilion on a Virginia property. It’s placed to create privacy from the neighbors without blocking views of the adjacent meadow and woodlands in the distance. And it’s connected to a pergola with an outdoor kitchen (at right). An aboveground spa is right behind where this photo was taken from, allowing for soaking while watching sports on the TV, and the pool is directly behind the spa.
Fieldstone around the fireplace and barnwood on the ceiling strike a rustic note, but this pavilion has all the comfort of a luxurious indoor room. The ceiling is vaulted, the seating is plush, and there’s a rug in addition to a large chandelier and decor-laden open shelves.
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With a half-acre of blank slate to worth with, designers Steve Waldron and Kevin Kurdziolek of Pristine Acres had plenty of room for this poolside pavilion on a Virginia property. It’s placed to create privacy from the neighbors without blocking views of the adjacent meadow and woodlands in the distance. And it’s connected to a pergola with an outdoor kitchen (at right). An aboveground spa is right behind where this photo was taken from, allowing for soaking while watching sports on the TV, and the pool is directly behind the spa.
Fieldstone around the fireplace and barnwood on the ceiling strike a rustic note, but this pavilion has all the comfort of a luxurious indoor room. The ceiling is vaulted, the seating is plush, and there’s a rug in addition to a large chandelier and decor-laden open shelves.
Read more about this project
Shop for outdoor furniture on Houzz
5. Getting in Shapes
Instead of going in a typically Southwestern style direction, K Design and 360 Construction used strong geometry in this Arizona pavilion and the surrounding areas, creating a modern vibe. Diamond-pattern turf, rattan globe lighting and ottomans bring in interesting shapes and textures without heaviness — just right for an intensely sunny desert region that reaches extreme temperatures. The creamy main color and floating bar keep things light too.
But that doesn’t mean the pavilion is light on amenities: A fireplace, dining area and TV join an outdoor kitchen and extra seating in making the space feel luxurious. The backyard makeover also included a new pool and fire pit lounge, as well as other gathering areas.
Read more about this project
Instead of going in a typically Southwestern style direction, K Design and 360 Construction used strong geometry in this Arizona pavilion and the surrounding areas, creating a modern vibe. Diamond-pattern turf, rattan globe lighting and ottomans bring in interesting shapes and textures without heaviness — just right for an intensely sunny desert region that reaches extreme temperatures. The creamy main color and floating bar keep things light too.
But that doesn’t mean the pavilion is light on amenities: A fireplace, dining area and TV join an outdoor kitchen and extra seating in making the space feel luxurious. The backyard makeover also included a new pool and fire pit lounge, as well as other gathering areas.
Read more about this project
6. Fan Club
A small back porch and a big, empty lawn weren’t inviting enough to tempt these Louisiana homeowners and their two sons to stay outside. Architect Nathan Fell changed all that, designing a yard with plenty to keep everyone entertained — and it’s low-maintenance to boot. In addition to the bigger back porch seen here at left — and a pool you can catch a corner of at bottom left — the design includes this pavilion open on three sides.
Ceiling fans help create a breeze for the pavilion’s kitchen and bar area, which includes a pizza oven, a grill and multiple burners. A lounge area (where this photo was taken from) plus a bathroom and storage for pool equipment (not shown) round out the space.
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Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
A small back porch and a big, empty lawn weren’t inviting enough to tempt these Louisiana homeowners and their two sons to stay outside. Architect Nathan Fell changed all that, designing a yard with plenty to keep everyone entertained — and it’s low-maintenance to boot. In addition to the bigger back porch seen here at left — and a pool you can catch a corner of at bottom left — the design includes this pavilion open on three sides.
Ceiling fans help create a breeze for the pavilion’s kitchen and bar area, which includes a pizza oven, a grill and multiple burners. A lounge area (where this photo was taken from) plus a bathroom and storage for pool equipment (not shown) round out the space.
Read more about this project
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
7. Wine and Dine
Flowing from the living room in a new-build home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this pavilion overlooks a dream-fulfilling vineyard and feels at one with the land. Closest to the living room is a deck with lounge seating, and then down a few steps is a modular kitchen area with a wine fridge (of course) and a grill, plus a dining area with a custom concrete-and-steel fireplace.
You can’t see it from this angle, but the pavilion has a semitransparent polycarbonate roof to let some sunlight in. Kelby Riegsecker and Dan Wickline of Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects handled the home and pavilion’s architecture, while Gavin Younie of Outdoor Scenery took on the landscape design.
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Flowing from the living room in a new-build home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this pavilion overlooks a dream-fulfilling vineyard and feels at one with the land. Closest to the living room is a deck with lounge seating, and then down a few steps is a modular kitchen area with a wine fridge (of course) and a grill, plus a dining area with a custom concrete-and-steel fireplace.
You can’t see it from this angle, but the pavilion has a semitransparent polycarbonate roof to let some sunlight in. Kelby Riegsecker and Dan Wickline of Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects handled the home and pavilion’s architecture, while Gavin Younie of Outdoor Scenery took on the landscape design.
Read more about this project
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
8. Fired Up
Celebrating their Argentine heritage, this family of five in Chicago wanted its new pavilion to have a traditional gaucho grill, in which meat is cooked over a grate with an open flame and a wheel or crank. Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors, a firm the homeowners found on Houzz, provided that and more in a 19-by-15-foot pavilion that picks up on the traditional architecture of the house.
The grill is integrated into a fireplace, and there’s a gas grill with cabinets as well. A dining area is conveniently located for serving meals hot. Lattice screens and oak trees boost privacy from the neighbors without totally blocking off the area. Next to wood storage is a pullout trash receptacle, and a countertop above it is big enough to act as a buffet.
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25 Cozy Covered Patios and Porches With Fire Features
Celebrating their Argentine heritage, this family of five in Chicago wanted its new pavilion to have a traditional gaucho grill, in which meat is cooked over a grate with an open flame and a wheel or crank. Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors, a firm the homeowners found on Houzz, provided that and more in a 19-by-15-foot pavilion that picks up on the traditional architecture of the house.
The grill is integrated into a fireplace, and there’s a gas grill with cabinets as well. A dining area is conveniently located for serving meals hot. Lattice screens and oak trees boost privacy from the neighbors without totally blocking off the area. Next to wood storage is a pullout trash receptacle, and a countertop above it is big enough to act as a buffet.
Read more about this project
25 Cozy Covered Patios and Porches With Fire Features
9. Social Graces
The initial goal of this Illinois project was to build an outdoor pavilion and kitchen on a newly purchased lot next to the homeowners’ existing lot. But one thing led to another, and a team including Joey Rossa of JMR Landscaping, Nick Shaver of Century Bay Builders and interior designer Laurie Demetrio ended up giving the homeowners a pool, a spa, a two-level guesthouse and a two-car garage as well.
The generously appointed pavilion has ceiling heaters and a fireplace to keep things toasty on cooler days, plus ceiling fans to stir up breezes when it’s warm. Cushy seating surrounds a coffee table, promoting conversation and connection. The outdoor kitchen is party-ready with a grill, smoker, pizza oven, wine cooler and more. There’s also a five-seat bar with plenty of countertop space, and a TV above the fireplace.
Read more about this project
The initial goal of this Illinois project was to build an outdoor pavilion and kitchen on a newly purchased lot next to the homeowners’ existing lot. But one thing led to another, and a team including Joey Rossa of JMR Landscaping, Nick Shaver of Century Bay Builders and interior designer Laurie Demetrio ended up giving the homeowners a pool, a spa, a two-level guesthouse and a two-car garage as well.
The generously appointed pavilion has ceiling heaters and a fireplace to keep things toasty on cooler days, plus ceiling fans to stir up breezes when it’s warm. Cushy seating surrounds a coffee table, promoting conversation and connection. The outdoor kitchen is party-ready with a grill, smoker, pizza oven, wine cooler and more. There’s also a five-seat bar with plenty of countertop space, and a TV above the fireplace.
Read more about this project
10. Let It Glow
Whether you call this a pavilion or a very open addition, there’s no question that it beautifully serves its purpose: fostering family togetherness and celebrating cultural heritage. One of the homeowners is from Argentina, where a quincho — an outdoor space for hanging out and barbecuing together — is common. So when she and her husband bought the lot next to their home’s existing lot in Seattle, creating one was a big part of the design project. They hired John DeForest and Madeline Goryl of DeForest Architects, interior designer Mariana Flombaum Studio, SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture and Dyna Builders to bring their vision to life.
The new pavilion has a full kitchen, a bar area, copious storage and a dining area. To the left of the pavilion is a new guesthouse, and to the right is the quincho. Sliding doors open to a patio and the barbecuing area. At night, the whole area casts a magical glow.
Read more about this project
Your turn: Do you have a backyard pavilion? Share photos and details in the Comments below.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about outbuildings
Browse more pool house photos
Find a local deck and patio specialist
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Whether you call this a pavilion or a very open addition, there’s no question that it beautifully serves its purpose: fostering family togetherness and celebrating cultural heritage. One of the homeowners is from Argentina, where a quincho — an outdoor space for hanging out and barbecuing together — is common. So when she and her husband bought the lot next to their home’s existing lot in Seattle, creating one was a big part of the design project. They hired John DeForest and Madeline Goryl of DeForest Architects, interior designer Mariana Flombaum Studio, SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture and Dyna Builders to bring their vision to life.
The new pavilion has a full kitchen, a bar area, copious storage and a dining area. To the left of the pavilion is a new guesthouse, and to the right is the quincho. Sliding doors open to a patio and the barbecuing area. At night, the whole area casts a magical glow.
Read more about this project
Your turn: Do you have a backyard pavilion? Share photos and details in the Comments below.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about outbuildings
Browse more pool house photos
Find a local deck and patio specialist
Shop for your outdoor spaces
A patio and some pergolas that had seen better days were all this Virginia yard had going for it before landscape architect Joseph Richardson and Winn Design + Build firm owner Michael Winn got hold of it. The homeowners, a couple with three daughters on swim teams, requested this pool and pool house as part of the project.
The pavilion’s contemporary dark color and style provide contrast with the traditional white main home, but the structure is classic. At 22 by 22 feet, it holds a fireplace, TV, lounge seating and a peninsula with not just storage but a sink and a fridge. Bar stools are tucked up on the peninsula’s exterior side.
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