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  1. Garden & Outdoor
  2. Patio
  3. Space Location: Back Garden

Contemporary Back Patio Ideas and Designs

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Walk-out Bluestone Dining Patio | Patios
Walk-out Bluestone Dining Patio | Patios
Southview DesignSouthview Design
Elevated Tupelo stone dining patio with large format pavers is just steps from the kitchen.
Bellevue Contemporary Custom Home
Bellevue Contemporary Custom Home
Lochwood-Lozier Custom HomesLochwood-Lozier Custom Homes
Bringing Natural Light and Air Into The Heart Of The Home.
Bringing Natural Light and Air Into The Heart Of The Home.
Timothy Tasker ArchitectsTimothy Tasker Architects
Carona Del Mar
Carona Del Mar
Anne Michaelsen DesignAnne Michaelsen Design
Richmond Abode
Richmond Abode
Tempus Design Studio Pty LtdTempus Design Studio Pty Ltd
Shawnee Residence
Shawnee Residence
Lazar Landscape Design and ConstructionLazar Landscape Design and Construction
Contemporary wide and narrow makeover
Contemporary wide and narrow makeover
Land Studio CLand Studio C
Land Studio C
FireMagic Echelon
FireMagic Echelon
Astro MasonryAstro Masonry
FireMagic
Noyack Sloped Natural Garden
Noyack Sloped Natural Garden
HotbotanyHotbotany
Seating areas under pergola and fire pit surrounded by Russian Sage and perennials.
Checked Terrace Backyard
Checked Terrace Backyard
ARTOARTO
One of the many things that Armen and Vod were taught growing up is to work before relaxing, what great motivation to finish up the labors of the day and get to relax in this haven.
Outdoor Kitchens by Challenger Designs, LLC
Outdoor Kitchens by Challenger Designs, LLC
Challenger DesignsChallenger Designs
Stephen Long Photography
Jerome - New Home
Jerome - New Home
Big House Little HouseBig House Little House
Bluestone Irving Park
Bluestone Irving Park
KD LandscapeKD Landscape
Big flowery puffs of Hydrangea provide base for the deck and create a nice separation from the patio. Photography by Larry Huene Photography.
Outdoor Kitchen Project, Orchard House
Outdoor Kitchen Project, Orchard House
Humphrey MunsonHumphrey Munson
Hand-crafted using traditional joinery techniques, this outdoor kitchen is made from hard-wearing Iroko wood and finished with stainless steel hardware ensuring the longevity of this Markham cabinetry. With a classic contemporary design that suits the modern, manicured style of the country garden, this outdoor kitchen has the balance of simplicity, scale and proportion that H|M is known for. Using an L-shape configuration set within a custom designed permanent timber gazebo, this outdoor kitchen is cleverly zoned to include all of the key spaces required in an indoor kitchen for food prep, grilling and clearing away. On the right-hand side of the kitchen is the cooking run featuring the mighty 107cm Wolf outdoor gas grill. Already internationally established as an industrial heavyweight in the luxury range cooker market, Wolf have taken outdoor cooking to the next level with this behemoth of a barbeque. Designed and built to stand the test of time and exponentially more accurate than a standard barbeque, the Wolf outdoor gas grill also comes with a sear zone and infrared rotisserie spit as standard. To assist with food prep, positioned underneath the counter to the left of the Wolf outdoor grill is a pull-out bin with separate compartments for food waste and recycling. Additional storage to the right is utilised for storing the LPG gas canister ensuring the overall look and feel of the outdoor kitchen is free from clutter and from a practical point of view, protected from the elements. Just like the indoor kitchen, the key to a successful outdoor kitchen design is the zoning of the space – think about all the usual things like food prep, cooking and clearing away and make provision for those activities accordingly. In terms of the actual positioning of the kitchen think about the sun and where it is during the afternoons and early evening which will be the time this outdoor kitchen is most in use. A timber gazebo will provide shelter from the direct sunlight and protection from the elements during the winter months. Stone flooring that can withstand a few spills here and there is essential, and always incorporate a seating area than can be scaled up or down according to your entertaining needs. Photo Credit - Paul Craig
1209 Harbor Drive | delray Beach, Florida
1209 Harbor Drive | delray Beach, Florida
Judi Lukens & Kim LekasJudi Lukens & Kim Lekas
Patio
New Urban Garden
New Urban Garden
SED DesignSED Design
Inviting Patio Spaces
Inviting Patio Spaces
Exscape DesignsExscape Designs
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Pro-Site Construction, IncPro-Site Construction, Inc
Ipe Paradise
Ipe Paradise
Habitar LandscapeHabitar Landscape
Milton Road, East Sheen, SW14
Milton Road, East Sheen, SW14
Marsh & ParsonsMarsh & Parsons

Contemporary Back Patio Ideas and Designs

Patios are the go-to solution for turning your garden, or part of it, into an outdoor living area. A well-laid patio will integrate your home seamlessly into your garden, providing a solid and level surface for garden furniture and potted plants. Well designed patios are about more than just paving slabs – its positioning and layout are crucial to how much you enjoy this space. Before you start picking out patio ideas for materials and laying your contemporary patio, ask yourself important questions such as what will you use it for? How many people should it accommodate? Which part of your garden has the best aspect and sunlight? Will the patio have enough privacy?

How should I position my patio?

If you are designing your contemporary patio as a space for entertaining then make sure it’s wide enough for the garden furniture you want so you haven’t got guests tipping over into the flowerbeds. Don’t be wedded to the idea of having your contemporary patio attached to the house; think about positioning yours elsewhere in the garden if that space doesn’t offer the best aspect or lighting position. Consider the position of the sun through the course of the day and depending on whether you are most likely to want to dine outside at breakfast, have lunch on your patio or host dinner outside, you may want to position your patio differently. You can connect patios to your house with a footpath or stepping stones to allow easy transportation of food and drink.

How should I design and lay my contemporary patio?

Rectangles are the classic shape for patios, not least because they make the most efficient use of space and can be softened with garden edging. However, a rounded patio or a paving circle can perfectly complement a garden which isn’t linear in design. Paving slabs come in an extensive range of materials and are the most practical surface for patios. Yorkstone has the most traditional appeal, whereas concrete blocks, granite and slate patio slabs have a great texture and colour for modern gardens. Natural stones such as limestone, travertine and Indian sandstone vary in colour and finish and are a great way to add shade and texture to your patio. For some patio ideas that offer an alternative to block paving, loose material such as crushed stone and wood chippings have a rustic and more casual feel; if there are specific materials that re-occur elsewhere in the garden, you could repeat this in your choice of patio materials for consistency. Finally, it’s not a British summer without the great British barbeque, so look at patio ideas that incorporate barbeques and think about how you could accommodate one on your patio.

What garden furniture does my patio need?

Rattan garden furniture is a patio favourite, offering a durable, attractive finish that blends well into natural surroundings. Metal garden furniture and wooden garden furniture are sturdy alternatives available in many styles. Weight is a good feature in garden furniture to stop it from being blown away, but if you want to be able to move your furniture around the patio and garden to follow the sun you won’t want to go too heavy. Browse the various contemporary patio ideas that include garden furniture to see what styles of furniture go with different types of patios. If you find a particular patio set you like, you may be able to ask the designer where the furniture is from so you can look at buying the same set for your patio. Good, outdoor patio furniture crafted in high-quality materials should withstand bad weather, but cold, wet British winters followed by strong sun in the summer will be enough to weather even the best furniture, so it’s important to have somewhere, such as a shed, to store it when not in use for long periods of time. If you don’t have the space to store patio furniture, make sure that at least the cushions and umbrellas are stowed away out of the elements, and consider investing in a waterproof cover. One piece of furniture that might be able to stay out for a bit longer is a patio heater; it will warm any brave patio users and most modern designs are built to survive the cold weather. If you prefer something a bit more rustic than a patio heater, look at fire pits instead which will add warmth and an attractive centrepiece to your patio. If privacy or shade is an issue, then covering patio furniture with a parasol or sheltering patios with a gazebo or pergola are both smart patio ideas – these can be covered in climbing flowers or even wound with outdoor fairy lights for romantic evening lighting.
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