Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot tiny house. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

Example of a small minimalist backyard stone and rectangular pool fountain design in DC Metro

The east side of the yard features a raised trough planter against the architectural screen, and wrapping around the corner of the deck. This helps to envelope the outdoor living furniture; along with the overhead pergola this creates a sense of containment. Photo credit: Tracy Granger

Patrick & Topaze McCaffery - Taproot Garden Design & Fine Gardening "Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower vine) grows up a new metal and wire trellis, custom built by Best Construction."

There is still enough sun for an abundant and always evolving chef's garden. This raised bed has a separate irrigation system, as most edibles will need a little more water the rest of this garden.

This outdoor room features a cedar pergola, light weight concrete counter tops, natural gas fed fire pit and outdoor furniture.
Inspiration for a small transitional rooftop deck remodel in Chicago with a fire pit and a pergola

"The renovated midcentury modern home in Bunker Hill Village features a seamless blend of contemporary and classic design elements, highlighted by stainless steel trellises, a tranquil entrance fountain, and lush landscaping that enhances its timeless elegance."

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant front yard gravel landscaping in Dallas.

In the heart of Philadelphia, a single family townhouse sports three luxury rooftop gardens, each with it's own take on outdoor living. 2nd story: Off of the main living room and kitchen, is an outdoor living room with a shade canopy supported by a pergola, which creates the "room" feel. Potted evergreen trees screen the tall wall of the adjacent building, adding softness to the space. An Ivy panel screens the neighboring views of adjacent decks. 4th Story: To create an inviting and comfortable space on this small porch, ceder boxes were built to hold plant material and second as seating. The soft tub spa is easy to access from all sides with the wrap around deck. Cedar is such a warm colored wood, and provides a more natural look on top of the original concrete deck. 5th Story: The largest of the three rooftops is on the very top floor, full of lush plantings and a variety of seating. Here you find an outdoor kitchen, a louvered privacy screen, corten-steel planters, and a greenhouse built of cedar. The plantings are lush, providing seasonal interest as well as separation between neighboring deck.

Outdoor oasis addition of a pool, pool house, screened porch and covered cabana Photography: Gieves Anderson
Example of a huge classic backyard tile and custom-shaped pool house design in Nashville

Mid-sized mid-century modern black two-story brick exterior home idea in Denver with a shingle roof

Topiarius
Deck - contemporary deck idea in Chicago

Greg Hadley Photography
This is an example of a large country screened-in back porch design in DC Metro with decking and a roof extension.

A detail of the nicely rusting cor-ten steel planters. The evergreen bamboo provides a delicate screen and its aggressive roots are contained by the steel planters. The cedar fence was painted a dark blue grey to set off the green of the plants and the rust color of the planters. Installation by John Shorb Landscaping, Inc. Planters fabricated by Dixie Sheet Metal, Inc. Fencing by Expert Fence, Inc. Photos by Molly Scott Exteriors, LLC and Alex McCarty, John Shorb Landscaping, Inc.

This expansive outdoor deck and garden is the ultimate in luxury entertaining, lounging, dining and includes amenities for shade, a vegetable garden, outdoor seating, outdoor dining, grilling and a glass enclosure with heaters to get the most enjoyment and extended use year round. Rooftopia incorporated multiple customized Renson pergolas into the central dining and lounge areas. Each of three Renson pergola systems and their unique features are controlled with the touch of a button. The motorized overhead louvers can be enjoyed open or fully closed to provide shade and a waterproof cover. Each pergola has integrated dimmable LED lighting in the roof blades or louvers. The seating and lounge area was designed with gorgeous modern furnishings and a luxurious fire table. The lounge area can be fully enclosed by sliding glass panels around its walls, to capture the heat from the fire table and integrated Renson heaters. A privacy and shade screen can also be retractable at the west to offer another layer of protection from the intensity of the setting sun. The lounges also feature an integrated sound system and mobile TV cabinet so the space can be used year round to stay warm and cozy while watching a movie or a football game. The outdoor kitchen and dining area features appliances by Hestan and highly customized concrete countertops with matching shelves mounted on the wall. The aluminum cabinets are custom made by Urban Bonfire and feature accessories for storing kitchen items like dishes, appliances, beverages, an ice maker and receptacles for recycling and refuse. The Renson pergola over the dining area also integrates a set of sliding loggia panels to offer a modern backdrop, add privacy and block the sun. Rooftopia partnered with the talented Derek Lerner for original artwork that was transformed into a large-scale mural, and with the help of Chicago Sign Systems, the artwork was enlarged, printed and installed as one full wall of the penthouse. This artwork is truly a special part of the design. Rooftopia customized the design of the planter boxes in partnership with ORE Designs to streamline the look and finish of the metal planter containers. Many of the planter boxes also have toe kick lighting to improve the evening ambiance. Several large planters are home to birch trees, ornamental grasses, annual flowers and the design incorporates containers for seasonal vegetables and an herb garden. Our teams partnered with Architects, Structural engineers, electricians, plumbers and sound engineers to upgrade the roof to support the pergola systems, integrate lighting and appliances, an automatic watering system and outdoor sound systems. This large residential roof deck required a multi year development, permitting and installation timeline, proving that the best things are worth the wait.

For flooring in the screened room, the clients chose AZEK capped-polymer porch boards in “coastline,” a new color in AZEK’s Porch Collection. These PVC porch boards are great for outdoor rooms because of their tongue-and-groove configuration. With this flooring, you don’t need any screened mesh under the porch floor to keep insects out.

This expansive outdoor deck and garden is the ultimate in luxury entertaining, lounging, dining and includes amenities for shade, a vegetable garden, outdoor seating, outdoor dining, grilling and a glass enclosure with heaters to get the most enjoyment and extended use year round. Rooftopia incorporated multiple customized Renson pergolas into the central dining and lounge areas. Each of three Renson pergola systems and their unique features are controlled with the touch of a button. The motorized overhead louvers can be enjoyed open or fully closed to provide shade and a waterproof cover. Each pergola has integrated dimmable LED lighting in the roof blades or louvers. The seating and lounge area was designed with gorgeous modern furnishings and a luxurious fire table. The lounge area can be fully enclosed by sliding glass panels around its walls, to capture the heat from the fire table and integrated Renson heaters. A privacy and shade screen can also be retractable at the west to offer another layer of protection from the intensity of the setting sun. The lounges also feature an integrated sound system and mobile TV cabinet so the space can be used year round to stay warm and cozy while watching a movie or a football game. The outdoor kitchen and dining area features appliances by Hestan and highly customized concrete countertops with matching shelves mounted on the wall. The aluminum cabinets are custom made by Urban Bonfire and feature accessories for storing kitchen items like dishes, appliances, beverages, an ice maker and receptacles for recycling and refuse. The Renson pergola over the dining area also integrates a set of sliding loggia panels to offer a modern backdrop, add privacy and block the sun. Rooftopia partnered with the talented Derek Lerner for original artwork that was transformed into a large-scale mural, and with the help of Chicago Sign Systems, the artwork was enlarged, printed and installed as one full wall of the penthouse. This artwork is truly a special part of the design. Rooftopia customized the design of the planter boxes in partnership with ORE Designs to streamline the look and finish of the metal planter containers. Many of the planter boxes also have toe kick lighting to improve the evening ambiance. Several large planters are home to birch trees, ornamental grasses, annual flowers and the design incorporates containers for seasonal vegetables and an herb garden. Our teams partnered with Architects, Structural engineers, electricians, plumbers and sound engineers to upgrade the roof to support the pergola systems, integrate lighting and appliances, an automatic watering system and outdoor sound systems. This large residential roof deck required a multi year development, permitting and installation timeline, proving that the best things are worth the wait.

In the heart of Philadelphia, a single family townhouse sports three luxury rooftop gardens, each with it's own take on outdoor living. 2nd story: Off of the main living room and kitchen, is an outdoor living room with a shade canopy supported by a pergola, which creates the "room" feel. Potted evergreen trees screen the tall wall of the adjacent building, adding softness to the space. An Ivy panel screens the neighboring views of adjacent decks. 4th Story: To create an inviting and comfortable space on this small porch, ceder boxes were built to hold plant material and second as seating. The soft tub spa is easy to access from all sides with the wrap around deck. Cedar is such a warm colored wood, and provides a more natural look on top of the original concrete deck. 5th Story: The largest of the three rooftops is on the very top floor, full of lush plantings and a variety of seating. Here you find an outdoor kitchen, a louvered privacy screen, corten-steel planters, and a greenhouse built of cedar. The plantings are lush, providing seasonal interest as well as separation between neighboring deck.

Randy Angell, Designer The long narrow rectangular pool was assembled with precision, and an attention to detail that belies its modest budget. The waterline tile is a 6 x 24 porcelain tile, in a soothing clay color. The Leuder limestone coping is set with no overhang, and its mortar joints align precisely with the grout lines of the tile.