A custom fire pit plaza built into the hill off the parking area of the residence provides an evening escape to admire the expansive New Mexican sky. A custom alcohol-fueled fire feature is built into a boulder. A semi-circular stonework bench with flagstone topper and custom cushions/ outdoor pillows (not shown) provide ample seating for residents and their guests. Down-lit landscape lighting provides a soft ambiance to the area while allowing guests to safely move about the space. Photo Credit: Kirk Gittings

Photography by Eirik Johnson
Mid-sized trendy side yard deck photo in Seattle with a fire pit and a roof extension

Bring the inside out with beautiful weather-safe furnishings from Grange Furniture, and outdoor fabrics for your pillows and cushions, all available at steve mckenzie's in Atlanta. Acrylic stemware looks luxurious, but you'll have no fear entertaining outside with these fabulous glasses! Christina Wedge Photography

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Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard tile patio kitchen remodel in Austin with a pergola

Modern Outdoor Entertaining space. Upper deck dining area with outdoor kitchen and hottub area transition down to the Lower deck firepit with built in seating. Metal planter boxes retain and close in deck to create built in look and modern flare. Pergola and trells work to create shade and frame in the outdoor entertaining, Landscape lighting installed to create a beautiful ambiance while making a safe and functional entertaining space.

As far as unique outdoor living spaces go, this entire backyard makeover at Manor Country Club in Rockville, Maryland has the bases covered. A sandstone patio, AZEK-covered deck, cedar pergola, and hot tub were added to make this Montgomery County home stand out. The basement was also renovated and given a stone fireplace. Situated on Manor's 18th tee box, the patio and pavilion feature open views, low-maintenance plantings, and all of the amenities one needs for entertaining. The integrated hot tub is integrated into the AZEK decking for easy and safe access. We also paved the driveway and laid stone for the front path. Other features Hot tub that is half under the awning and half exposed to the sky for excellent stargazing. Integrated porch lighting Stone flower boxes built into the multi-tiered patio Materials AZEK/TimberTech decking Sandstone patio blocks Cedar wood Pressure-treated wood

View from the west side of the meadow. Photography by Lucas Henning.
Mid-sized industrial brown one-story metal house exterior idea in Seattle with a shed roof and a metal roof

Not everyone has the backyard that suits a hardscape patio. Those situations sometimes call for a different approach....especially in this case! We built a second-level deck and pergola for this family outside of Greenfield. Cedar all around! They also wanted to retain their beautiful views. So we used a cable railing system that is safe and effective at preventing falls, but also perfect for maximizing those views. I think it turned out well, don't you? Sun-Dried tomatoes anyone?

This modern landscape demonstrates water wise techniques that highlight the use of pebbles, mulch, and drought tolerant plant material in a garden's front entry. Using one mature cactus from the existing site, we created a focal point in the middle of a gravel bed and anchored it with boulders. Sustainable modern Landscape with drought tolerant plants and low maintenance landscape.

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary indoor rectangular indoor pool fountain remodel in Cleveland with decking

Request Free Quote This paradise in the Urban Jungle measures 8'0" x 16'0" and is 4'0" deep. It features LED colored lighting, full-width steps and sunshelf with bubblers, a 16'0" bench, and an in-floor cleaning system. An automatic pool safety cover with custom walk-on stone lid keeps the pool surface clean and safe. Indiana LImestone Coping finishes the look and the natural stone decking provides ample seating around the pool. Onyx exposed aggregate pool finish gives the final touch to this amazing compact recreation space. Photos by Larry Huene

Asian viewing garden privacy fence - screen used along side bluestone patio and plantings - ©2015 Brian Hill
Design ideas for a large asian partial sun side yard stone formal garden in Boston.

keeping our clients walkway entrance safe and helps visitors access the front with ease
Inspiration for a large rustic partial sun front yard brick retaining wall landscape in New York.

What our clients needed: • Create a garden folly that doubles as a well-built shed for crafts and storage. • Size the structure large enough for comfortable storage without dominating the garden. • Discreetly locate the shed in the far corner of the rear yard while maintaining existing trees. • Ensure that the structure is protected from the weather and carefully detailed to deter access of wildlife and rodents. FUNCTION • Construct the shed slab close to grade to permit easy access for bicycle storage, while building shed walls above grade to ensure against termites and dryrot. • Install a French door and operable casement windows to admit plenty of daylight and provide views to the garden. • Include rugged built-in work bench, shelves, bike racks and tool storage for a rustic well-organized and efficient space. • Incorporate GFIC electrical service for safe access to power at this distant corner of the yard. • Position energy-efficient interior lighting to ensure space can be used year-round. • Switch control of exterior light from house and from shed for ease of command. AESTHETICS • Design and detail the shed to coordinate with the Arts and Crafts style house. • Include an arbor for future flowering vines, further softening the shed’s garden presence. • Simple and rustic interior surfaces ensure that the space is easy to clean. • Create an aged and softly weathered appearance, and protect the exterior siding by finishing the cedar with a custom-colored semi-transparent stain. INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION • Factory-built components were pre-assembled to allow for a speedy assembly and for a shorter on-site construction schedule. • Each component was easily transported through the yard without disturbing garden features. • Decorative exterior trim frames the door and windows, while a simpler trim is used inside the unadorned shed. OBSTACLE OVERCOME • The structure is located in the corner of the yard to avoid disturbance of a curly willow tree. • The low-profile structure is positioned close to property lines while staying beneath the allowable daylight plane for structures. • To comply with daylight plane close to fence, the roof form combines hip and gable forms, with door located at gable end. • The height of the modest interior is maximized, without exceeding the allowable building height. CRAFTSMANSHIP • The concrete slab was precisely formed and finished for ease of shed assembly before the factory-built components were delivered to site. • Precision planning meant the pre-framed door fit exactly between raised concrete curb.

Soft lines were desired in a limited space surrounded by easements, building and pool setbacks. Simple architectural curves complemented the architecture of the home. This allowed the client to have a walk around the pool and provide maximum pool surface area. The spa side dry steps allowed access to the pool steps 18" lower than the patio. The spa provides a strong visual from the family room and balancing the project the fire bowl and rainfall provides a strong visual from the arbor, grill counter, bar and master bedroom. We added a door from the master bedroom to allow access directly to the fire pit on that cold winter night. The fire bow wall provides a screen for the utility transformer and location for the rainfall. Landscaping softens the lines of the hardscape fence, and house walls. The firelight along with the low voltage lighting accent the space at night. The step lights allow for safe travel over the changes in elevation to the pool. The stone veneers match the existing grill and bar counter and the flagstone coping step treads and wall caps match existing stone kitchen patio. The concrete paving pattern was selected to match the pattern of the existing stone kitchen patio as well. The trip to the city zoning board was well worth the reward of providing everything the client wanted in a limited space. Project designed by Mike Farley. Check out Mike's reference site for more info and videos at www.FarleyPoolDesigns.com.

There are an infinite number of possible designs, and outdoor fire pits no longer need to be just a round pile of rocks. I work with several basic styles of gas fed fire pits when I design outdoor gardens to enchant my clients. The popularity of fire pits and the fire effects they produce in the garden is one of fastest growing trends in outdoor design. The allure of sitting around a fire ring has been around since the beginning of mankind. Fire provides warmth, light, a cooking source and, of course relaxation. A dancing flame has a mesmerizing affect that encourages you to unwind and settle in. The popularity of fire pits, or conversation pits as they are commonly called, has grown rapidly in recent years. Proper design and construction will ensure a safe and enjoyable feature that will last several decades This fully equipped outdoor kitchen is separate from the rest of the living space, allowing the two areas to be utilized entirely on their own. outdoor kitchens are most efficient when it's zoned into logical uses. your cook space should have plenty of prep space, room to set down utensils and stage ingredients, and a comfortable buffer from the seating island to keep guests protected from the heat.

Our client wanted an outdoor living space for her Border Collies and rescued cats. We used her existing patio and gave it a good power washing, fresh paint and we brought in Rough Sawn Redwood to create the fence and cat walks. We also added the trellis to support her healthy plants that would provide shade during the hotter months and bring several hummingbirds to home. PC: Aaron Gilless

This Arvada, Colorado, outdoor living space has given this family of 5 a space to enjoy the sunny Colorado days as a family and with family and friends! This deck was a hazard waiting to happen & it was too small for both a sitting area and dining area. After meeting with the family and discussing their needs and budget we designed an expanded composite deck by Timbertech/Azek in the color maple and Dark Hickory for the stair treads and picture framing. Our design team also adjusted the footprint of the old staircase to be to code after researching the requirements for the lot. As you can see from the pictures their view never looked so great! Looking for an Arvada or Greater Denver deck builder to create your dream outdoor living design? Put your trust in the design-builders at Archadeck of Greater Denver and the Foothills today.

What better way to enjoy the outdoors than to gather around a beautiful fire pit with friends and family? The natural stone look of the Belvedere Fire Pit Kit transforms your patio or backyard into an inviting, warm retreat. Precast concrete is fire-safe and engineered to weather the hardest outdoor elements. Photo: Barkman Concrete Ltd.