8 Patio Arrangements to Inspire Your Outdoor Room
Let these patio furniture setups for spaces large and small motivate you to get outside this season
If you’re planning to invest in a new patio set or looking for a fresh way to rearrange your current furniture, take a peek at these eight setups, each offering an invitation to get outside. All include combinations of outdoor furniture — cafe tables, chairs, benches, lounges and more — and at least one other garden element that makes the scene that much more enticing.
Tip: Provide warmth after dark. A small, portable gas-burning fire pit is much less expensive than a permanent fireplace or outdoor hearth, and it offers the same warmth and anchoring factor.
Cozy up outdoor furniture by laying down sheepskins (faux or real) on the seats and draping throws on the backs.
Shop for gas fire pits on Houzz
Cozy up outdoor furniture by laying down sheepskins (faux or real) on the seats and draping throws on the backs.
Shop for gas fire pits on Houzz
2. Vine-Covered Terrace in Seattle
Ingredients. Metal sofa plus pair of chairs, coffee table, fireplace and shade structure.
Covered by a trellis dripping in wisteria, this seating area by
AHBL almost feels as if it’s in a magical world.
The furniture (a Richard Schultz set, part of the 1966 collection by Knoll) and built-in fireplace are simple and clean-lined, bringing focus to the garden beds filled with purple allium, lady’s mantle and, of course, the hanging blooms of the white wisteria.
Tip: Cover a pergola with a flowering vine. Add more romance to any patio space with the addition of a shade trellis covered in flowering vines. A few to choose from:
Ingredients. Metal sofa plus pair of chairs, coffee table, fireplace and shade structure.
Covered by a trellis dripping in wisteria, this seating area by
AHBL almost feels as if it’s in a magical world.
The furniture (a Richard Schultz set, part of the 1966 collection by Knoll) and built-in fireplace are simple and clean-lined, bringing focus to the garden beds filled with purple allium, lady’s mantle and, of course, the hanging blooms of the white wisteria.
Tip: Cover a pergola with a flowering vine. Add more romance to any patio space with the addition of a shade trellis covered in flowering vines. A few to choose from:
- Lady Banks’ and other climbing roses
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
- Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
- Bengal trumpet (Thunbergia grandiflora)
- Clematis
- Morning glory
- Bougainvillea
3. Built-In Benches in London
Ingredients. Wooden benches with throw pillows, sheepskin and outdoor hearth.
Built-in seating that flanks an outdoor wood-burning fireplace makes an inviting space in this London backyard by Gotham Interiors. Keeping the benches around the edges saves floor space and makes the patio feel more open and expansive. Printed Moroccan-style throw pillows and a sheepskin add color and softness to the wooden bench seats.
Ingredients. Wooden benches with throw pillows, sheepskin and outdoor hearth.
Built-in seating that flanks an outdoor wood-burning fireplace makes an inviting space in this London backyard by Gotham Interiors. Keeping the benches around the edges saves floor space and makes the patio feel more open and expansive. Printed Moroccan-style throw pillows and a sheepskin add color and softness to the wooden bench seats.
Tip: Invest in built-in seating when floor space is limited. While it’s more expensive upfront than a standard set of outdoor chairs, built-in seating is worth it for patios where space is tight.
Built-in benches can also be used as one side of seating for an outdoor table, if you’d like to turn a built-in lounge seating area into a dining spot later on.
Built-in benches can also be used as one side of seating for an outdoor table, if you’d like to turn a built-in lounge seating area into a dining spot later on.
4. Gravel Patio in Palo Alto
Ingredients. Dining table with bench seating, movable side chairs, fire pit and cafe lights.
The furniture in this San Francisco Bay Area backyard by Randy Thueme Design, complete with a gravel terrace bordered by olive trees and crisscrossing cafe lights overhead, is practically arranged as an open-plan living room.
An outdoor kitchen and pizza oven sit on one side of the terrace, with an outdoor dining table for six within easy distance for bringing plates to the table. On the other side of the patio, two accent chairs drawn up to the fire feature are almost the outdoor equivalent of cushy armchairs next to a hearth.
Ingredients. Dining table with bench seating, movable side chairs, fire pit and cafe lights.
The furniture in this San Francisco Bay Area backyard by Randy Thueme Design, complete with a gravel terrace bordered by olive trees and crisscrossing cafe lights overhead, is practically arranged as an open-plan living room.
An outdoor kitchen and pizza oven sit on one side of the terrace, with an outdoor dining table for six within easy distance for bringing plates to the table. On the other side of the patio, two accent chairs drawn up to the fire feature are almost the outdoor equivalent of cushy armchairs next to a hearth.
Tip: Add ambiance with cafe lights. This space feels welcoming for a number of reasons — the open layout and good-looking furniture, for starters — but it’s the twinkling glow of the cafe lights that really sets the mood.
If you’re looking for string lights for your patio, skip the widely available ones at home stores and invest in waterproof hospitality-quality ones that will last for a decade. These types of string lights, usually sold by outdoor lighting stores, often come with the cord and bulbs separately.
Browse outdoor string lights
If you’re looking for string lights for your patio, skip the widely available ones at home stores and invest in waterproof hospitality-quality ones that will last for a decade. These types of string lights, usually sold by outdoor lighting stores, often come with the cord and bulbs separately.
Browse outdoor string lights
5. Tropical Terrace in Toronto
Ingredients. Outdoor sofa, side chairs, coffee table, dining set for four, sideboard and outdoor rug.
Surrounded by vine-covered walls and colorful summer containers, this secluded backyard terrace by Terra Firma Design in Toronto is a leafy retreat. The patio has just enough room for a seating area around a coffee table, a chaise lounge (out of view), a round dining table for four and a small sideboard staging table.
Bold prints, red accents and dark furniture materials help set an almost tropical feel.
Ingredients. Outdoor sofa, side chairs, coffee table, dining set for four, sideboard and outdoor rug.
Surrounded by vine-covered walls and colorful summer containers, this secluded backyard terrace by Terra Firma Design in Toronto is a leafy retreat. The patio has just enough room for a seating area around a coffee table, a chaise lounge (out of view), a round dining table for four and a small sideboard staging table.
Bold prints, red accents and dark furniture materials help set an almost tropical feel.
Tip: Use an outdoor rug to define a seating area. The same way a rug under a dining table helps visually separate the seating area from the rest of the room, an outdoor rug can be used to set apart one outdoor seating area from another. Plus, it feels cozy on bare feet and freshens up a look with minimal effort.
6. Wine Country Lounge in Northern California
Ingredients. Outdoor sofa, armchairs, cushy ottomans, fire pit and twig shade structure.
In warm and sunny climates, there’s hardly anything more inviting than having a seat in the shade with a cool drink. In this St. Helena garden by Katharine Webster, a pergola topped with a lattice of willow branches casts light shade over an outdoor lounge of cushy sofas, armchairs and ottomans.
Ingredients. Outdoor sofa, armchairs, cushy ottomans, fire pit and twig shade structure.
In warm and sunny climates, there’s hardly anything more inviting than having a seat in the shade with a cool drink. In this St. Helena garden by Katharine Webster, a pergola topped with a lattice of willow branches casts light shade over an outdoor lounge of cushy sofas, armchairs and ottomans.
Tip: Provide something for shade. There are plenty of good-looking shade options for outdoor rooms, from pergolas to retractable shade sails and awnings. It all depends on your budget. The easiest and cheapest option? Pick up a big umbrella or two and place them where they’ll make the most impact.
7. Country Style in London
Ingredients. Small bistro dining set and lightweight slingback loungers.
Even though this urban garden is small in square footage, the terraced design and separate seating areas for different uses — one for lounging and one for outdoor dining — create a dynamic setup for outdoor living. Together, the simple wood-and-white slingback chairs and whitewashed metal bistro dining furniture set a casual, country-style feel. Combined with the lavender plants, the space feels like a slice of Provence in London.
Tip: Create multiple destinations. Even small terraces can benefit from having two separate seating areas for different uses. Just make sure furniture is kept in scale with the space: Crowding an oversize dining table onto a small terrace makes everything feel more cramped.
Ingredients. Small bistro dining set and lightweight slingback loungers.
Even though this urban garden is small in square footage, the terraced design and separate seating areas for different uses — one for lounging and one for outdoor dining — create a dynamic setup for outdoor living. Together, the simple wood-and-white slingback chairs and whitewashed metal bistro dining furniture set a casual, country-style feel. Combined with the lavender plants, the space feels like a slice of Provence in London.
Tip: Create multiple destinations. Even small terraces can benefit from having two separate seating areas for different uses. Just make sure furniture is kept in scale with the space: Crowding an oversize dining table onto a small terrace makes everything feel more cramped.
8. Barbecue-Ready in Texas
Ingredients. Picnic table, Adirondack chairs, outdoor lanterns and large fire pit.
In this Austin backyard by B. Jane Gardens, concrete pavers arranged in a loose path through the gravel guide guests to a large-scale fire pit that can be enjoyed after dark. Adirondack chairs and a wooden picnic table keep the area casual and relaxed.
Ingredients. Picnic table, Adirondack chairs, outdoor lanterns and large fire pit.
In this Austin backyard by B. Jane Gardens, concrete pavers arranged in a loose path through the gravel guide guests to a large-scale fire pit that can be enjoyed after dark. Adirondack chairs and a wooden picnic table keep the area casual and relaxed.
Tip: Invest in flexible furniture if you love to entertain. Tables, chairs, benches and lounges that can easily be moved — or folded up and stored when not in use — expand your options when hosting a crowd. You can bring out extra tables and chairs as needed, setting up one area of the garden for drinks and another for dinner or a s’mores station in the evening.
Small, foldable outdoor tables are particularly useful as stand-ins for drink stations or setting down trays of nibbles. In a pinch, an overturned wooden crate can act as a side table.
Small, foldable outdoor tables are particularly useful as stand-ins for drink stations or setting down trays of nibbles. In a pinch, an overturned wooden crate can act as a side table.
Your turn: Have you set up your patio yet? Show us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Set Up Your Patio for Ultimate Lounging — Whatever Its Size
Work with a landscape contractor in your area
Shop for outdoor furniture
More on Houzz
Set Up Your Patio for Ultimate Lounging — Whatever Its Size
Work with a landscape contractor in your area
Shop for outdoor furniture
Ingredients. Lightweight patio chairs, heated bench and outdoor hearth.
The fabulous patterned tile floor may be the first thing that catches your eye in this outdoor room by Genius Home Landscape in Orange County. However, as soon as the sun goes down, it’s the enveloping warmth of the fireplace and the — surprising — heated bench that would draw you in.
The curved bench, made by Galanter & Jones from cast stone and powder-coated stainless steel, can be plugged in and cranked up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, making a seat away from the hearth just as toasty as one close to the fireplace.