Outdoor Design Ideas

A new porch was added to extend the outdoor seasons in Michigan. Heated stone floors, and retractable screens along with an outdoor kitchen make for a very livable space. We used the same colors inside and outside for a visual extension of the design. A large fireplace infinity spa and extra teak seating are in the background.

Patio - huge traditional backyard brick patio idea in San Francisco

Hot tub - large contemporary backyard concrete paver and kidney-shaped hot tub idea in Philadelphia

The Tea House is a very special place. Draped by the existing mature willow it feels like it has always been here. The Natusume basin to the right is for purification prior to the tea ceremony. The vertical rock was placed to the left to help frame the traditional entrance to the Tea House. 

Patrick Coulie
Inspiration for a huge contemporary backyard stone patio remodel in Albuquerque with a roof extension and a bbq area

Hidden to the side of this gorgeous house remodeled after it got destroyed by Hurricane Harvey are this peaceful and beautiful small lap pool with raised ledger stone wall and Magic Bowls (no-fire water feature.)

Small minimalist backyard concrete paver and rectangular hot tub photo in Dallas

Truly a collaboration among the owners of the home, the architect, and the designers, this home reflects the active lifestyle of the busy family with three young boys both inside and out. The home features a mix of modern and traditional elements, plaster veneer walls, reclaimed solid timbers, and natural and organic materials with history and texture. Architect: Rehkamp Larson Architects Interior Design: Alecia Stevens Interiors Photography: Scott Amundson

Alpha Wellness Sensations is the world's leading manufacturer of custom saunas, luxury infrared cabins, professional steam rooms, immersive salt caves, built-in ice chambers and experience showers for residential and commercial clients. Our company is the dominating custom wellness provider in Europe for more than 35 years. All of our products are fabricated in Europe, 100% hand-crafted and fully compliant with EU’s rigorous product safety standards. We use only certified wood suppliers and have our own research & engineering facility where we developed our proprietary heating mediums. We keep our wood organically clean and never use in production any glues, polishers, pesticides, sealers or preservatives.

Lake Front Country Estate Outdoor Shower, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling
Patio - huge traditional backyard stone patio idea in Other

The planning phase of this modern retreat was an intense collaboration that took place over the course of more than two years. While the initial design concept exceeded the clients' expectations, it also exceeded their budget beyond the point of comfort. The next several months were spent modifying the design, in attempts to lower the budget. Ultimately, the decision was made that they would hold off on the project until they could budget for the original design, rather than compromising the vision. About a year later, we repeated that same process, which resulted in the same outcome. After another year-long hiatus, we met once again. We revisited design thoughts, each of us bringing to the table new ideas and options. Each thought simply solidified the fact that the initial vision was absolutely what we all wanted to see come to fruition, and the decision was finally made to move forward. The main challenge of the site was elevation. The Southeast corner of the lot stands 5'6" above the threshold of the rear door, while the Northeast corner dropped a full 2' below the threshold of the door. The backyard was also long and narrow, sloping side-to-side and toward the house. The key to the design concept was to deftly place the project into the slope and utilize the elevation changes, without allowing them to dominate the yard, or overwhelm the senses. The unseen challenge on this project came in the form of hitting every underground issue possible. We had to relocate the sewer main, the gas line, and the electrical service; and since rock was sitting about 6" below the surface, all of these had to be chiseled through many feet of dense rock, adding to our projected timeline and budget. As you enter the space, your first stop is an outdoor living area. Smooth finished concrete, colored to match the 'Leuder' limestone coping, has a subtle saw-cut pattern aligned with the edges of the recessed fire pit. In small spaces, it is important to consider a multi-purpose approach. So, the recessed fire pit has been fitted with an aluminum cover that allows our client to set up tables and chairs for entertaining, right over the top of the fire pit. From here, it;s two steps up to the pool elevation, and the floating 'Leuder' limestone stepper pads that lead across the pool and hide the dam wall of the flush spa. The main retaining wall to the Southeast is a poured concrete wall with an integrated sheer descent waterfall into the spa. To bring in some depth and texture, a 'Brownstone' ledgestone was used to face both the dropped beam on the pool, and the raised beam of the water feature wall. The main water feature is comprised of five custom made stainless steel scuppers, supplied by a dedicated booster pump. Colored concrete stepper pads lead to the 'Ipe' wood deck at the far end of the pool. The placement of this wood deck allowed us to minimize our use of retaining walls on the Northeast end of the yard, since it drops off over three feet below the elevation of the pool beam. One of the most unique features on this project has to be the structure over the dining area. With a unique combination of steel and wood, the clean modern aesthetic of this structure creates a visual stamp in the space that standard structure could not accomplish. 4" steel posts, painted charcoal grey, are set on an angle, 4' into the bedrock, to anchor the structure. Steel I-beams painted in green-yellow color--aptly called "frolic"--act as the base to the hefty cedar rafters of the roof structure, which has a slight pitch toward the rear. A hidden gutter on the back of the roof sends water down a copper rain chain, and into the drainage system. The backdrop for both this dining area , as well as the living area, is the horizontal screen panel, created with alternating sizes of cedar planks, stained to a calm hue of dove grey.

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Exterior solar shades and awning systems are the most efficient solution to protect your windows and patio areas from the sun's damaging heat and UV rays. Blocking up to 99% of UV, motorized retractable shading systems allow you to block the sun and heat or reverse the strategy to allow in natural light and heat as desired.

outdoor shower
Example of a small beach style backyard outdoor shower deck design in Hawaii with a roof extension

A custom outdoor kitchen features weather resistant Ipe wood cabinetry topped with stained concrete counters and repurposed vintage swivel seating.
Example of a large trendy side yard concrete patio design in San Francisco with no cover

At spa edge with swimming pool and surrounding raised Thermory wood deck framing the Oak tree beyond. Lawn retreat below. One can discern the floor level change created by following the natural grade slope of the property: Between the Living Room on left and Gallery / Study on right. Photo by Dan Arnold

Randy Angell, Designer The focal point of this courtyard spa is the 8 ft tall waterwall and spa set against the stucco retaining wall at the far end of the court.

Designed to compliment the existing single story home in a densely wooded setting, this Pool Cabana serves as outdoor kitchen, dining, bar, bathroom/changing room, and storage. Photos by Ross Pushinaitus.

Marion Brenner Photography
Large trendy backyard rectangular pool photo in San Francisco with decking