Patio - mid-sized contemporary backyard stone and rectangular infinity patio idea in Phoenix with a pergola

Existing mature pine trees canopy this outdoor living space. The homeowners had envisioned a space to relax with their large family and entertain by cooking and dining, cocktails or just a quiet time alone around the firepit. The large outdoor kitchen island and bar has more than ample storage space, cooking and prep areas, and dimmable pendant task lighting. The island, the dining area and the casual firepit lounge are all within conversation areas of each other. The overhead pergola creates just enough of a canopy to define the main focal point; the natural stone and Dekton finished outdoor island.

A traditional 1930 Spanish bungalow, re-imagined and respectfully updated by ArtCraft Homes to create a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home of over 1,300sf plus 400sf of bonus space in a finished detached 2-car garage. Authentic vintage tiles from Claycraft Potteries adorn the all-original Spanish-style fireplace. Remodel by Tim Braseth of ArtCraft Homes, Los Angeles. Photos by Larry Underhill.

Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, Art Curation & Real Estate Advisement by Chango & Co. Construction by MXA Development, Inc. Photography by Sarah Elliott See the home tour feature in Domino Magazine

Bertolami Interiors, Summit Landscape Development
Patio kitchen - mid-sized modern l-shaped and backyard tile porcelain tile and beige floor patio kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, stainless steel appliances, gray countertops and a pergola

Today, almost any activity you enjoy inside your home you can bring to the outside. Depending on your budget, your outdoor room can be simple, with a stamped concrete patio, a grill and a table for dining, or more elaborate with a fully functional outdoor kitchen complete with concrete countertops for preparing and serving food, a sink and a refrigerator. You can take the concept even further by adding such amenities as a concrete pizza oven, a fireplace or fire-pit, a concrete bar-top for serving cocktails, an architectural concrete fountain, landscape lighting and concrete statuary. Cooking Something to cook with, such as a barbecue grill or wood-fired pizza oven, and countertops for food preparation and serving are key elements in a well-designed outdoor kitchen. Concrete countertops offer the advantages of weather resistance and versatility, since they can be formed into any shape you desire to suit the space. A coat of sealer will simplify cleanup by protecting your countertop from stains. Other amenities, such as concrete bar-tops and outdoor sinks with plumbing, can expand your entertainment options. Hearth Wood-burning or gas fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and portable patio heaters extend the enjoyment of outdoor living well into the evening while creating a cozy conversation area for people to gather around. Sunset Construction and Design specializes in creating residential patio retreats, outdoor kitchens with fireplaces and luxurious outdoor living rooms. Our design-build service can turn an ordinary back yard into a natural extension of your home giving you a whole new dimension for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. If you’re interested in converting a boring back yard or starting from scratch in a new home, look us up! A great patio and outdoor living area can easily be yours. Greg, Sunset Construction & Design in Fresno, CA.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen remodel in Tampa with a pergola

Large trendy backyard deck photo with a pergola

The loveseat and pergola provide a shady resting spot behind the garage in this city garden.
Example of a small island style backyard brick patio container garden design in Chicago with a pergola

Huge elegant backyard tile patio kitchen photo in Tampa with a pergola

Client had an existing deck and pergola off of the back of their home that was not properly built in the original construction. This caused sagging of some of the support beams and overall an unsafe structure. In order to give this a thicker and better look, we used 6X6 beams (instead of 4x4's) and properly bolted all members so that the structure did not move.

Arched Pergola (Options: 14' L x 14' Arc W, Mature Redwood, 2 Electrical Wiring Trims, Arched Roof with Lattice Panels, 4 Post Anchor Kit for Concrete, 1 Ceiling Fan Base, No Privacy Panels, No Curtain Rods, Transparent Premium Sealant).

1200 Square Foot composite deck with flared stairs down to backyard and custom gazebo to be over the new hottub
Deck - huge coastal backyard deck idea in Seattle with a pergola

Large transitional backyard outdoor kitchen deck photo in Seattle with a pergola

Carol Kurth Architecture, PC , Peter Krupenye Photography
Example of a large classic backyard stone patio design in New York with a pergola

Custom trex deck with pergola. Wonderful area to entertain with friends & family.
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard deck remodel in Seattle with a pergola

Large elegant backyard stone patio photo in Chicago with a pergola

A two-level pergola, circular firepit area and outdoor kitchen with a charcoal-gas combo grill star in this Houston patio addition designed for entertaining large crowds in style. "The client was an attorney with a passion for cooking and entertaining," says the project's principal designer, Lisha Maxey of LGH Designs. "Her main objective with this space was to create a large area for 10 to 20 guests, including seating and the prep and cooking of meals." Located in the backyard of the client's home in Spring, TX, this beautiful outdoor living and entertaining space includes a 28-by-12-foot patio with Fantastico silver travertine tile flooring, arranged in a Versailles pattern. The walkway is Oklahoma wister flagstone. Providing filtered shade for the patio is a two-level pergola of treated pine stained honey gold. The larger, higher tier is about 18 by 10 feet; the smaller, lower tier is about 10 feet square. "We covered the entire pergola with Lexan - a high-quality, clear acrylic sheet that provides protection from the sun, heat and rain," says Outdoor Homescapes of Houston owner Wayne Franks. Beneath the lower tier of the pergola sits an L-shaped, 12-by-9-foot outdoor kitchen island faced with Carmel Country ledgestone. The island houses a Fire Magic® combination charcoal-gas grill and lowered power burner, a Pacific Living countertop pizza oven and a stainless steel RCS trash drawer and sink. The countertops and raised bar are Fantastico silver travertine (18-square-inch tiles) and the backsplash is real quartz. "The most unique design item of this kitchen area is the hexagon/circular table we added to the end of the long bar," says Lisha. This enabled the client to add seating for her dining guests." Under the higher, larger tier of the pergola is a seating area, made up of a coffee table and espresso-colored rattan sofa and club chairs with spring-green-and-white cushions. "Lighting also plays an important role in this space, since the client often entertains in the evening," says Wayne. Enter the chandelier over the patio seating arrangement and - over the outdoor kitchen - pendant lamps and an industrial-modern ceiling fan with a light fixture in the center. "It's important to layer your lighting for ambiance, security and safety - from an all-over ambient light that fills the space to under-the-counter task lighting for food prep and cooking to path and retaining wall lighting." Off the patio is a transition area of crushed granite and floating flagstone pavers, leading to a circular firepit area of stamped concrete. At the center of this circle is the standalone firepit, framed at the back by a curved stone bench. The walls of the bench and column bases for the pergola, by the way, are the same ledgestone as the kitchen island. The top slab on the bench is a hearth piece of manmade stone. "I think the finish materials blend with the home really well," says Wayne. "We met her objectives of being able to entertain with 10 to 12 to 20 people at one time and being able to cook with charcoal and gas separately in one unit. And of course, the project was on time, on budget." "It is truly a paradise," says the client in her Houzz review of the project. "They listened to my vision and incorporated their expertise to create an outdoor living space just perfect for me and my family!"

photography by Andrea Calo
Deck container garden - huge transitional backyard deck container garden idea in Austin with a pergola