Before and After: 3 Dreamy Covered Spaces for Outdoor Living
Designers transform underused yards and decks into areas for relaxing, cooking and entertaining throughout the year
Whether made of billowing fabric or clad in wood, the covers on the patio and porches in these three updated backyards add style and elegance — and protection from the elements. These makeovers also allow the homeowners to enjoy their new backyard retreats and outdoor amenities almost year-round. Read on to learn more about these sheltered oases and discover ideas that might work for your own space.
After: A new pergola measuring roughly 22 by 30 feet defines the main outdoor living zone. (This photo was taken looking away from the home out into the yard.) For shade, Wolfe attached panels of performance fabric in a natural hue to pipes running across the pergola. Misters add a second cooling element.
Wolfe used durable, large-format porcelain pavers in a cool gray tone for the patio floor. It creates a subtle backdrop that allows the painted brick-and-stucco fireplace to shine while reinforcing the resort-style vibe the homeowners wanted. It’s also a practical choice, as the paving is nonporous and easy to clean as well as resistant to slips, moisture and mold.
Wolfe used the same porcelain tiles for the outdoor kitchen’s countertop and backsplash, for cohesion throughout the space.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
Wolfe used durable, large-format porcelain pavers in a cool gray tone for the patio floor. It creates a subtle backdrop that allows the painted brick-and-stucco fireplace to shine while reinforcing the resort-style vibe the homeowners wanted. It’s also a practical choice, as the paving is nonporous and easy to clean as well as resistant to slips, moisture and mold.
Wolfe used the same porcelain tiles for the outdoor kitchen’s countertop and backsplash, for cohesion throughout the space.
What to Know About Adding a Pergola
The gas fireplace is the back wall’s centerpiece. “The soft curves of the stucco fireplace and [its] herringbone interior provide a nod to the Southwest while remaining simple and modern,” Wolfe says.
A build-in bench with a classic white brick base extends to the left of the fireplace to create an L-shaped seating area. Striped black-and-white cushions, a low coffee table and poufs complete the area.
Across from the bench is the dining area and outdoor kitchen; the latter is entertainment-ready with a sink, an ice maker, refrigerator drawers and a grill. The kitchen’s base cabinets are finished in the same painted brick as the fire feature and built-in bench. “The space feels comfortable, complete and versatile,” Wolfe says.
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A build-in bench with a classic white brick base extends to the left of the fireplace to create an L-shaped seating area. Striped black-and-white cushions, a low coffee table and poufs complete the area.
Across from the bench is the dining area and outdoor kitchen; the latter is entertainment-ready with a sink, an ice maker, refrigerator drawers and a grill. The kitchen’s base cabinets are finished in the same painted brick as the fire feature and built-in bench. “The space feels comfortable, complete and versatile,” Wolfe says.
Read more about this project
2. Indoor-Outdoor Extension
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two children
Location: Dunwoody, Georgia
Size: 530 square feet (49 square meters); 20 by 26½ feet
Designer and builder: Renew Properties
Interior designer: Linen & Flax Home
Before: The existing deck off the back of this house was too cramped to accommodate a busy Atlanta-area family that likes to hang out outdoors. They needed a space for hosting groups of adults and teenagers, especially for after their kickball tournaments. “This family wanted an extension of their main living space with an indoor-outdoor feel and an elevated design,” says project manager Lindsey Parker of design-build firm Renew Properties.
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Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two children
Location: Dunwoody, Georgia
Size: 530 square feet (49 square meters); 20 by 26½ feet
Designer and builder: Renew Properties
Interior designer: Linen & Flax Home
Before: The existing deck off the back of this house was too cramped to accommodate a busy Atlanta-area family that likes to hang out outdoors. They needed a space for hosting groups of adults and teenagers, especially for after their kickball tournaments. “This family wanted an extension of their main living space with an indoor-outdoor feel and an elevated design,” says project manager Lindsey Parker of design-build firm Renew Properties.
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After: The expansive new porch that replaces the small deck measures 20 by 26½ feet and has plenty of comfy spaces for dining and lounging. The homeowners wanted the space to feel like a living room with a refined design. “This meant making it airy, comfortable and livable,” Parker says.
The finishes set the overall style, from the tongue-and-groove ceiling with recessed lighting to the white painted brick surfaces and the wood decking stained to look like natural white oak. “We custom-mixed a stain to keep red and orange tones at bay,” Parker says.
The homeowners wanted a design that would allow “porch season” to last as long as possible, so the ceiling has an infrared heater as well as fans.
The outdoor kitchen and dining area sit at one end of the porch, so that any smoke from the grills would go out toward the yard. The area has both a Big Green Egg and propane grills, along with a stainless steel wine cooler, a pullout trash section and drawers. The countertops are outdoor-rated quartz that resemble leathered granite. The material is UV-rated, which means that its dark color won’t fade in the sunlight.
The finishes set the overall style, from the tongue-and-groove ceiling with recessed lighting to the white painted brick surfaces and the wood decking stained to look like natural white oak. “We custom-mixed a stain to keep red and orange tones at bay,” Parker says.
The homeowners wanted a design that would allow “porch season” to last as long as possible, so the ceiling has an infrared heater as well as fans.
The outdoor kitchen and dining area sit at one end of the porch, so that any smoke from the grills would go out toward the yard. The area has both a Big Green Egg and propane grills, along with a stainless steel wine cooler, a pullout trash section and drawers. The countertops are outdoor-rated quartz that resemble leathered granite. The material is UV-rated, which means that its dark color won’t fade in the sunlight.
A stone fireplace at the other end of the porch anchors the outdoor living area. The surround is made from cast stone, and the mantel and hearth are limestone. The bench seats on either side provide a storage spot for pillows during pollen season.
The graciously curved white brick walls that frame the fireplace provide privacy while being low enough to allow in light and air and preserve the views. The painted brick matches the home’s exterior brick, providing a sense of continuity.
A final touch is a slim bar ledge set along the railing, seen to the right of the fireplace in this photo. It’s the perfect place for sitting and watching what’s happening in the yard below.
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The graciously curved white brick walls that frame the fireplace provide privacy while being low enough to allow in light and air and preserve the views. The painted brick matches the home’s exterior brick, providing a sense of continuity.
A final touch is a slim bar ledge set along the railing, seen to the right of the fireplace in this photo. It’s the perfect place for sitting and watching what’s happening in the yard below.
Read more about this project
3. Covered Poolside Porch
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple of empty nesters
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Size: 820 square feet (76 square meters)
Designers: Scott Stephens of SMS Architects (architecture), Steve Koprowski of Koprowski + Associates (landscape architecture) and Cynthia Gaertner (interior design)
Contractor: John Chandler of Chandler Construction
Before: This couple already had an expansive deck but began craving a change when they added a pool to their landscape. “They love to entertain, and wanted to be able to bring their large gatherings outside,” architect Scott Stephens says. They requested a covered space that they could use from early spring into fall. The homeowners’ must-have list also included a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and custom railings that would keep the view to the pool open.
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple of empty nesters
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Size: 820 square feet (76 square meters)
Designers: Scott Stephens of SMS Architects (architecture), Steve Koprowski of Koprowski + Associates (landscape architecture) and Cynthia Gaertner (interior design)
Contractor: John Chandler of Chandler Construction
Before: This couple already had an expansive deck but began craving a change when they added a pool to their landscape. “They love to entertain, and wanted to be able to bring their large gatherings outside,” architect Scott Stephens says. They requested a covered space that they could use from early spring into fall. The homeowners’ must-have list also included a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and custom railings that would keep the view to the pool open.
After: The new porch extends across the back of the house and is 22 feet deep, providing cover from the elements. The ceiling is made of 1-by-6-inch character-grade white oak, which has more knots and color variations than other types, for a more natural look. Interior designer Cynthia Gaertner coated it with a white stain and an exterior polyurethane finish. Six skylights welcome additional light.
A stone veneer called Hudson Ledgestone on the vertical surfaces of the planter boxes, posts, low walls and fireplace surround adds architectural interest. It blends nicely with the limestone that Stephens used for the flooring and some of the other horizontal surfaces.
Stephens custom-designed the powder-coated-metal railings that line the porch. Bringing the planter boxes in front up to just 18 inches below the patio floor let him design more open railings than a larger drop would have allowed, helping preserve the views toward the pool.
Browse planters in the Houzz Shop
A stone veneer called Hudson Ledgestone on the vertical surfaces of the planter boxes, posts, low walls and fireplace surround adds architectural interest. It blends nicely with the limestone that Stephens used for the flooring and some of the other horizontal surfaces.
Stephens custom-designed the powder-coated-metal railings that line the porch. Bringing the planter boxes in front up to just 18 inches below the patio floor let him design more open railings than a larger drop would have allowed, helping preserve the views toward the pool.
Browse planters in the Houzz Shop
The stacked-stone gas fireplace at one end of the porch is flanked by built-in benches and walls. The fireplace and overhead heaters keep things warm when it’s chilly. “The homeowners tell me that they use the porch nine to 10 months out of the year,” Stephens says. Ceiling fans provide a cooling breeze on hot days.
The outdoor kitchen sits opposite the fireplace. It features a large grill, cabinets and a beverage fridge plus open wood shelving set against a wall covered in the same stone veneer used elsewhere.
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The outdoor kitchen sits opposite the fireplace. It features a large grill, cabinets and a beverage fridge plus open wood shelving set against a wall covered in the same stone veneer used elsewhere.
Read more about this project
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Browse thousands of landscape photos
Find a landscape architect or designer
Shop for your outdoor space
Patio at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of four
Location: Arcadia, Arizona
Backyard size: 5,000 square feet (464 square meters); 100 feet long and 50 feet wide
Designer: Iconic by Kaitlyn Wolfe
Contractor: Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools
Before: This Arizona backyard offered designer Kaitlyn Wolfe a blank slate. “When we were brought in on the project, the backyard was nothing but grass and some perimeter trees,” she says.
The homeowners asked Wolfe and her team to design a stylish and inviting outdoor area with a resort-like look that would be comfortable even on Arizona’s hottest days. Their wish list also included a fire feature, a spot for lounging, a dining area and an outdoor kitchen.
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