15 Perfect Patio Designs (2024)

Home Outdoors

15 Perfect Patio Designs (1)

ByRachel Brougham

Updated: Sep. 12, 2023

    From entertaining spaces to cooking stations to areas designed for lounging, patios can add value and comfort to your home. Whether you're looking to design a patio with pavers, brick or poured concrete, here are 15 perfect patio designs to inspire you.

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    Multi-Level Patio with Water Feature

    A backyard waterfall and stream will add beauty and peaceful sounds to your patio. In addition to a water feature, this multi-level poured-concrete patio designs from Goodmanson Construction has plenty of low-maintenance landscaping to add splashes of color.

    Photo: Courtesy of Goodmanson Construction

    Here’s our list of luxurious multi level decks with sweeping views and multiple seating areas.

    2/15

    Poolside Patio with Pergola

    Build a pergola to add some shade to your backyard patio. This poolside patio design from Reynolds-Sebastiani Design Services offers plenty of space to relax, along with a separate area for dining.

    Photo: Courtesy of Reynolds-Sebastiani Design Services

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    Patio Kitchen with Pergola

    This outdoor kitchen by Design Builders will inspire any home cook to ditch their indoor kitchen when the weather’s nice.

    Photo: Courtesy of Design Builders

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    Asian-Inspired Patio

    This Asian-inspired patio design from Second Chance Design features a relaxing sitting area with comfortable patio furniture. Selecting your furniture to match your patio’s overall design helps create a cohesive, fully-realized setting. Psst! Also check out the Element outdoor TV to turn your deck into the entertainment area of your dreams, that too on a budget.

    Photo: Courtesy of Second Chance Design

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    Multi-Level Patio Designs with Brick Fire Pit

    Build a stone or brick patio that you can easily adapt to your own yard. This patio from Landscape East & West features a multi-level design with separate areas for eating and relaxing around the fire pit.

    Photo: Courtesy of Landscape East & West

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    Patio with Modern Landscaping

    For those with small yards, this moderns mall backyard patio design from Austin Outdoor Design features a cooking/dining area and some minimalist landscaping. Get to know these ornamental grasses if you’d like a similar look in your yard.

    Photo: Courtesy of Austin Outdoor Design

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    Paver Patio

    Decorative brick or stone is DIY-friendly and results in a classic, tidy-looking patio paver. If you already have a concrete patio, you can cover it with pavers to get a different look.

    Photo: Courtesy of Brookstein Services

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    Large, Open Patio

    This large, open, raised patio from Treesdale Landscape Company is built with retaining wall blocks. A raised patio planter would make a great addition to a large, open patio and helps add a splash of color.

    Photo: Courtesy of The Treesdale Landscape Company

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    Sun-Soaked Small Backyard Patio

    Here’s a great alternative to a grass lawn. This small backyard patio from Sacred Space Gardens is surrounded by some ornamental grass and large stepping stones.

    Photo: Courtesy of Sacred Space Gardens

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    Concrete Patio with Fire Pit

    A metal fire pit is at the center of this concrete patio from Cedar Creek Landscaping. The curved edges of the small backyard patio help it blend right in to the backyard.

    Photo: Courtesy of Cedar Creek Landscaping

    11/15

    Patio with Grilling Station

    This brick patio includes the ultimate grilling station, along with an outdoor sink for easy cleanup. If you’re designing an outdoor kitchen, laying down a wide, open brick patio is a great place to start.

    Photo: Courtesy of Teacup Gardener

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    Enclosed Patio

    An enclosed patio lets you use the space even on rainy days. Turn your backyard into a space as comfortable as any other room in your home by building a screened-in patio.

    Photo: Courtesy of Dayton Deck Builder

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    Stone Patio with Pond

    Consider building a low-maintenance pond next to a small patio. This design from Stone Age Landscaping offers a small sitting area, just big enough for two patio chairs.

    Photo: Courtesy of Stone Age Landscaping

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    15 Perfect Patio Designs (15)

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    Fire Pit Centerpiece

    The fire pit is the centerpiece of this stone patio from Ageless Concrete. If you’re looking to build a place in your yard perfect for long conversations, a rounded patio with plenty of seating will absolutely do the trick.

    Photo: Courtesy of Ageless Concrete

    15/15

    Patio with Retaining Wall

    This patio, built on a slope, offers an area for entertaining, relaxing or enjoying the fire. It’s surrounded by a strong retaining wall that can double as additional seating.

    Photo: Courtesy of Roots Landscaping

    Originally Published: July 08, 2021

    Author

    Rachel Brougham

    Rachel Brougham has written for home improvement publications since 2017. In 2019, she lived through a major home remodeling project and uses her skills to help readers determine what home improvement trends, gardening practices, decor styles and products can best help them.

    Read More

    15 Perfect Patio Designs (17)

    15 Perfect Patio Designs (2024)

    FAQs

    How do I plan a patio layout? ›

    Think about the flow. Think about flow around and on/off the patio. Think about how you use your outdoor space, set up the patio to fit, as a place to spend time and create conversation. Good patio design has to not only look good but be practical and inviting to use.

    What is the best shape for a patio? ›

    Rectangular patios are among the most popular and easy to build or design. You can use them for numerous purposes because they are versatile. Like rectangle patios, square patios are popular and easy to design or build. Homeowners who want a symmetrical appearance can go for this patio.

    What is the cheapest patio to build? ›

    Gravel. Gravel is, on average, the cheapest material for a patio and requires the least time to install. It can match well with a less landscaped, wilder garden or backyard, and offers great drainage. However, it is not very comfortable underfoot and can be hard to keep level.

    What is a good size for a patio? ›

    We recommend a minimum of 25 square feet per person. So, if you plan to host 15 people- plan for a space around 375 sq. ft. We recommend a patio around 550 square feet for comfortable entertaining.

    Where do you start when laying a patio? ›

    The best starting position is the corner at the highest point of the patio. Dampen the underside of the first slab and lay it down.

    What is the cheapest way to lay a patio? ›

    Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget. Otherwise, pebbles or reclaimed materials are also good options. If you're set on laying paving slabs, concrete is one of the cheapest materials, and when installed and maintained correctly, it can hold up well and last for years.

    What is the easiest type of patio to put in? ›

    Bricks and concrete pavers are the easiest patio materials to use because they have a uniform shape and create a relatively flat surface.

    What is the best base for a patio? ›

    The best type of sub-base to use is crushed stone certified and guaranteed as MOT Type 1. This material is strong and stable, making it ideal for supporting paving. It also drains well, which helps to prevent water pooling beneath the paving.

    What type of patio is most durable? ›

    The best material for patios is paver. The different types of pavers are concrete, clay brick, and natural stone. It's the best patio material due to its strength, ease of repair, and material options.

    Is it cheaper to lay concrete or pavers? ›

    As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete.

    Is it cheaper to build a porch or patio? ›

    Patios are cheaper to build since they're composed of simple material. However, decks are a better home investment and more sustainable. Overall, both decks and patios have their pros and cons. It ultimately depends on what you're specifically looking for to make the best decision for your home.

    Can you lay pavers directly on dirt? ›

    Lots of questions come up regarding how to lay pavers on dirt, however, it is not recommended to lay pavers directly on dirt or any unprepared ground. In order for pavers to look and perform their best in a permanent situation, the ground needs to be levelled, excavated and hard compacted.

    How much does it cost to build a 12x12 patio? ›

    Patio cost estimator by size
    Patio SizeCost Range
    7×7 (49 square feet)$345 – $1,715
    12×12 (144 square feet)$1,008 – $5,040
    20×20 (400 square feet)$2,800 – $14,000
    Nov 29, 2023

    Do patios increase home value? ›

    That said, it's estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%. A better option for most homeowners, however, would be to refinish or repair an existing patio, as repair estimates average around $1,400. This can provide an ROI of nearly 500%.

    Is a 12x12 patio big enough? ›

    Is a 12x12 patio big enough? For many people, a 12-by-12-foot patio is plenty big. This size still allows for a dining table to sit four to eight people, with a bit of room to spare. You could always use more room, of course, but it depends on if you have it.

    What are the stages of laying a patio? ›

    They are:
    • Measure up and mark out your patio.
    • Dig out the patio area (200mm depth)
    • Lay the sub-base (compacted & 150mm depth)
    • Lay a concrete mix mortar bed (50mm depth)
    • Lay the paving slabs on to the mortar bed and tamp down. ...
    • Leave the set for 24 hours so the concrete mix (mortar bed) can cure.

    How do you estimate the area of a patio? ›

    If you have a square or rectangular patio then calculating its area is quite a straightforward job. You simply need to measure the width and length of the area that you're looking to pave and multiply the two numbers together. This will then give you your area to pave.

    How do I prepare my area for a patio? ›

    1. Prepare the Patio Area. Laying pavers is a DIY project that takes about one weekend to complete. ...
    2. Clear Out Grass and Soil. ...
    3. Add Paver Base. ...
    4. Add and Level the Paver Sand. ...
    5. Place the Paver Stones. ...
    6. Cut Pavers. ...
    7. Add Edging Stones or Paver Edging. ...
    8. Finish the Patio.

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