Transitional exterior home photo in Chicago

Design: modernedgedesign.com Photo: Edmunds Studios Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete patio remodel in Milwaukee with a fire pit and a pergola

The south patio creates a sheltered spot for dining and lounging three seasons of the year. The glass conservatory contains a pool/spa for year-round enjoyment. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

We often scribe free-form boulders into cut stone patios and walls to provide an interface between the built and natural elements of a design. Photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

A colorful patio to enjoy tropical plants, eat dinner, cozy up around the chiminea in the winter, and shade yourself from the heat of the Texas sun the rest of the year. The concrete slab of the deck was painted in the same light blue as the blue room for the base and then used the royal blue from that room to add a tile-look pattern.

Single car Garage
Garage - mid-sized southwestern detached one-car garage idea in Richmond

Example of a mountain style deck design in Portland with a fireplace and a roof extension

Photo: Hilary Walker © 2013 Houzz
Eclectic gravel patio photo in Dallas

Judy Davis
Tuscan rectangular pool photo in DC Metro

Inspiration for a large eclectic drought-tolerant, full sun and rock backyard stone landscaping in Denver.

Example of a transitional tile patio design in San Francisco with a fire pit 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.

Judy Davis
Patio - mediterranean patio idea in DC Metro with a fire pit

The clients' chiminea sits on the edge of the patio. Westhauser Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized southwestern backyard concrete paver retaining wall landscape in Milwaukee.

A sunny day on the back patio. Westhauser Photography
Mid-sized transitional backyard stone patio photo in Milwaukee

Example of a mid-sized mountain style front yard stone patio design in San Francisco with a fire pit and no cover

With potted plants, prickly roses, and a low planting bed, there's a little something for every taste here, but rather than feel overwhelming, it works. Although it may not appear so at first it's organized-the potted plants are grouped together and flank the door; the roses climb the house and wall and pop up out of the bed; and the bed is populated mainly by a single plant. Photo by: Jerry Pavia, Deck Ideas that Work, The Taunton Press

Photo credit: Jeri Koegel
Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in Orange County.