Creating your outdoor living space means claiming your own little slice of nature and customizing it to suit your lifestyle and enhance your daily routine. Sometimes there is nothing more relaxing than sitting on your favorite patio chair, feeling the warm sun mixed with a cool breeze, and smelling the fragrant flowers blossoming in your garden. Imagine how much more time you would spend outside if you had your very own cabana, bungalow, pergola, sunroom or pool house to enjoy! Think of all the ways an outdoor room could enhance your Southern California lifestyle and prime your home for entertaining guests year-round.

Pool fountain - large transitional backyard stone and custom-shaped natural pool fountain idea in New York

Deck - mid-sized transitional backyard deck idea in Other with a roof extension

Design ideas for a transitional backyard outdoor sport court in San Diego with a fire pit.

Large transitional front yard concrete paver patio photo in New York with no cover

Inspiration for a transitional backyard stone patio remodel in Boston

Francis Dzikowski
Deck - mid-sized transitional rooftop rooftop deck idea in New York with no cover

Coronado, CA The Alameda Residence is situated on a relatively large, yet unusually shaped lot for the beachside community of Coronado, California. The orientation of the “L” shaped main home and linear shaped guest house and covered patio create a large, open courtyard central to the plan. The majority of the spaces in the home are designed to engage the courtyard, lending a sense of openness and light to the home. The aesthetics take inspiration from the simple, clean lines of a traditional “A-frame” barn, intermixed with sleek, minimal detailing that gives the home a contemporary flair. The interior and exterior materials and colors reflect the bright, vibrant hues and textures of the seaside locale.

Design ideas for a large transitional full sun backyard gravel landscaping in San Francisco.

Pool space at the Hampton Designer Showhouse 2016, all items courtesy of Frontgate. Photo | Alan Barry Photography
Example of a transitional pool design in New York

Photo by Andrew Hyslop
Inspiration for a small transitional back porch remodel in Louisville with decking and a roof extension

Large transitional backyard concrete and rectangular pool landscaping photo in Dallas

©Morgan Howarth Rosegrove Pool & Landscape
Example of a large transitional backyard stone pool house design in DC Metro

Photo: Chris Cooper
Deck - transitional deck idea in New York with no cover

We love this rustic-modern Houston patio addition with an outdoor kitchen and double pergola! It not only made the most of a long, narrow space while satisfying strict homeowners association rules, but did so affordably in a warm, timeless style. “The client really enjoys outdoor living, but had a specific budget they wanted to meet,” explains Outdoor Homescapes owner Wayne Franks. “They also live on a golf course and had to meet particular HOA requirements.” The HOA requirements restricted how far back the new 450-square-foot patio and pergola could extend back into the yard. The HOA also wanted to make sure the patio’s colors and materials matched the existing home and others around it. “We chose colors and materials that offered texture and character, but that would go with just about anything around it,” says Wayne. “We found what we were looking for in the Fantastico travertine and Austin limestone – two materials clients love and just can’t go wrong with.” The Austin limestone facing the 8-foot-square, L-shaped kitchen island is dry-stacked in a castle pattern for a naturalistic, rustic look. Yet its light, neutral color keeps the style fresh and modern. Adding to the modern look are the stainless steel appliances: an RCS 30-inch stainless steel grill, double burner and outdoor fridge. Even though the finishes on the sink and light fixtures (Hunter pendant lamps and Hampton Bay light/fan combos) have a different finish – oil-rubbed-bronze – this actually follows the recent trend of mixing different metals, materials and finishes. “The look’s not so matchy-matchy anymore,” explains Wayne. “Mixing it up makes it look more authentic and personalized.” That’s why backsplashes like the one in this project – done in glass and metal mosaic – are also becoming more popular than traditional ceramic tile. Another recent trend can be seen here, too – an amping up of color variation and texture. “In addition to the split-face texture of the rock, you can definitely see the bold color variation in the travertine,” says Wayne. The flooring is a Fantastico travertine, laid out in a Versailles pattern. “The Fantastico tile is killer,” says Wayne. “The warm reds go great with red brick, which we have a lot of around here.” The countertop with the rounded, raised bar at the end is English walnut travertine. The red bar stools also add a pop of exciting color that contrasts nicely with the greenery around the patio. The double pergola, continues Wayne, is No. 2 pine stained a Minwax honey-gold. One side of the pergola – the side over the seating area – is covered with Lexan, a clear material that keeps out rain, heat and UV rays. The pergola also juts further into the yard on that side. “It’s called a scallop, and it just lends some visual interest,” explains Wayne. “It prevents the pergola from just looking like one big rectangular hunk of wood.” Wayne particularly likes how everything blended so well with the brick – which was a big concern – yet didn’t come off as too neutral or boring. “The Fantastico travertine and red chairs do an excellent job of pulling the red from the brick and working with the warmth of that color to make a super-inviting space,” says Wayne. “We’re really pleased with how it all ties together so well.”

Photo of a large transitional full sun backyard brick landscaping in Denver.

Designed by Heidekat Design
Example of a mid-sized transitional backyard stone patio design in Chicago with no cover

Photo by George Dzahristos
Design ideas for a transitional partial sun retaining wall landscape in Detroit.

The design for this residence combines contemporary and traditional styles, and includes stairs and a curving drive to provide a warm welcome to the home. A comfortable bluestone terrace and patio provide elegant outdoor entertaining spaces. Photo by Greg Premru.