Let’s break it down a little bit further.  Say, for example, that you would classify yourself into the ‘lounge lizard’

This little patio set up highlights features like a pergola, some comfortable furniture, a chiminea and a nice patio floor.

category.  This means that you are more likely to be interested in patio accessories that allow for a more relaxed time.  Items like cushioned patio furniture, a hammock or patio swing, maybe even some patio misters to cool the place down for a more enjoyable ‘extended patio experience’.  They can drop the temperature in your outdoor space by up to 20-30 degrees!

photo credit

Now, what if you have more of a semi-formal or entertaining patio style.  That is to say you would prefer to have more of an outdoor living type of space.  Maybe you want a place to cook in, dine in and then relax in with guests over an evening cocktail or glass of wine.  A different type of patio space would be more helpful in each of these styles of patio enthusiast, wouldn’t you say?

Which Patio Ideas Are Right for You?

The design of your patio can be unique or you can go with something more like a kit for ease of installation and construction.  The patio cover kits come in a variety of materials, some wood, some metal and even vinyl materials.  While wood patio covers are the most popular, they do require maintenance to keep them looking and functioning good for years to come.  Vinyl is a popular choice and now comes in different color choices, white, brown and colors that resemble some classic wood stains.  These aluminum patio covers, made famous by Alumawood™ actually have real wood grain characteristics embossed into them.

These are good ideas for the classic pergola, a great framework or structure upon which to design your dream patio.  You can utilize a pergola in order to create a simple patio space or something more exotic or elegant type of outdoor room.  These outdoor rooms can support any number of features that the entertainer can appreciate.  Consider how you could add some great outdoor dining furniture to create an amazing setting outdoors.

Perhaps your style of eating outdoors is cooking out there as well.  This is where the men are separated from the boys, so to speak.  Sure, there are outdoor grills in a variety of styles, but there are also outdoor kitchen designs that could rival the best commercial kitchens out there.  Pair this with a nice bar set up and you are sure to wow your guests!

This is in contrast to the type of patio fireplace over which a lounge lizard might enjoy cooking.  This kills two birds with one stone.  They can sit out by the fire in their swing or hammock and then jump out to turn the burgers.  There is no type of design that is right, just what is right for you and your lifestyle.

Patio design ideas range from having an open patio roof to something either more fully closed or semi-closed, like a lattice cover.  This lattice structured roof is like what the pergola offers.  There are also covered patio designs that are more suitable for climates with wetter weather or for those settings where one doesn’t want their kitchen or dining areas to be exposed to the elements quite so much.

Other considerations for outdoor patio designs include things like having the structure attached to one’s home or free-standing structures in your backyard space.  Again, pergola style patio covers are great for these applications as they can be used effectively in both ways.

Building  A Patio Cover

There are some key points to consider when constructing or building a patio cover.  You’ll need to know the space or dimensions that are available to you.  How much space do you have to work with?  This will help determine the best type of structure for your needs.

Next, you can also determine the shape of the space you have.  Is your patio area more of an oval shaped area or do you have a rectangular or square dimensions?  These, again, will help prepare for your other landscape design features.  Whether you have a pool landscape feature you are incorporating or a desert xeriscaping plan, both the size and shape of your space will give you a better sense of your design options.

Then, there are the soil and ground features themselves to consider regarding building.  In terms of the plot, you’ll need to ensure that the grading is such that your patio is level and stable.  Now, you can also slope your patio in a way to give you proper drainage and flow away from your home’s foundation.  This is dependent on where you build, too.  You may have some other more complex patio design ideas that will give you multiple levels and dimensions to your patio space.

This is not the best example of a simple patio cover - it is beautiful though!

Hopefully, by now, you’ve grown to understand just how important your patio space can be.  After all, life isn’t getting any less stressful and the patio is the perfect place to go and unwind from the day.  There was a time in our country’s history when the front porch was the place to rest and relax after a long day or spend time on the weekends.  There you’d be with the other neighbors, kids playing in the front yard and riding up and down the street.  Well, times have changed, but we still long for those restful evenings and weekends.  The question is, what type of covered patio designs can give you what you are after.

Let’s dive into some patio design ideas and see what works for you.  First of all, you should decide upon what type of patio you are looking for.  Do you want something that is more fully covered or are you thinking about going with something more like an open lattice roof?  Maybe you even have something like a more modern outdoor room idea in mind.  You can certainly make any of these a reality.  Photo credit

Covered patio ideas range from simple to complex.  If you are going to be doing the project yourself, opt for simple.  This doesn’t mean your patio structure will come out looking cheap, it will just be much more simple to accessorize and enhance later.  If you go with something that is very ornate or heavy on design and structure, you may not be able to modify it later without significant costs or help.  Unless you know exactly what you’d like to have a decade from now still standing, go with a more simple design. Think in terms of a simple pergola idea.  You can utilize this type of structure as the ‘bones’ of your patio and then make it as accessorized as you wish.

With the right patio cover plans, you can have your patio serve any number of functions.  Some homeowners are more entertainers while others prefer to lounge. Of course, you need not exclude one activity for the other, but certain designs make more sense depending upon how you use your space.  For example, the outdoor room concept mentioned above is going to work very well for an entertaining homeowner, one who enjoys hosting get-togethers.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t simply lounge and relax as well, it is just better suited to have a more ‘formal’ outdoor dinner party than it is for wet kids getting out of the pool and enjoying.  The idea is that your patio is really more of a reflection of the way you live your life.  Let your lifestyle guide the covered patio plans that are right for you.  Keep it simple and enjoy!

It is true that you can build one yourself or have help from friends.  What makes your patio more enjoyable in the quickest amount of time possible is hiring the pros.  Not only will you have your patio covered more quickly but you will know that it is built to code – if that is even an issue depending upon your design – and is as safe as possible.  Because of the several different types of structures you can build and the materials you can choose from, having it done right is important for not only your safety but long-term investment as well.  The last thing you want is for your patio to be a health hazard each time you go out there or when there is a slight change of inclement weather that will threaten the integrity of your structure.

So, What Type Of Patio Cover Did You Have In Mind?

You may not have given it too much thought and you found our site as a way of researching the topic itself.  Would you believe that are almost an endless amount of ways to cover your patio as there are to designing a home or landscape area?  Well, it is true.  The reason is that as long as your plans are within the guidelines of your city code or home owner’s association covenants and regulations – almost tougher than pulling permits sometimes it seems – then you can probably have it built.  You may even be able to tackle the project yourself or with the help of a small crew of your friends for the heavy lifting.  As you read on, you’ll learn why.

The broad categories of patio cover designs include open, roofed, and enclosed.  As the names suggest, you can almost get an idea of what the structure will look like, at least in concept.  How you execute the details of your project will allow for much personalization, customization and range of design ideas.  As outdoor spaces become more and more popular with home owners, it is being increasingly easy to find contractors that can work with your plans to build you exactly what you are looking for.

Learning About ‘Open’ Covered Patios

This is how a patio cover can add elegance and ambiance.

This sounds a bit confusing at first.  Open covered patios?  If you are thinking about having a more open patio concept, then you are probably inclined to be thinking about gazebo or pergola types of structures.  These are similar in nature.  A gazebo is usually a structure that has more of a roof-like element to it.  It may also be more of a Victorian style with benches built into it.  Gazebos have more of a closer, intimate feeling to them.  A pergola has more of a criss-crossed type lattice structure to its ‘roof’. The term roof here is in quotes because it is more of an open structure, usually having trained vines or plants growing up and over it providing shade and ambiance.  This can also be quite intimate, but because of its open nature has more of a restful feeling about it.

Both types of open structures can be enjoyed much of the year depending upon your climate and weather of course.  Many pergola builders have mastered the craft in all corners of our country as the various designs can highlight the flowers and outdoor experience of the seasons.

The open patio styles are what are more classic for the popular surge in outdoor room spaces.  With these rooms, entire kitchens or entertaining spaces with kitchen appliances are made to bring the indoors out.  Many products and manufacturers are now offering items that are made to be exposed to the elements.  Stainless steel and stone items are the most common choices.  The partial covering offered by the plants or vines does provide some relief from mother nature to the appliances.

What About Other Covered Patio Designs?

While a gazebo structure may technically qualify as a “roofed patio”, what we are really discussing here are more formally covered patios.  In this case, patio covers that use framed members, with sheeting, and roofing materials like felt paper, and shingles.  This is definitely a job for the professional builder.

These types of covered patio areas are like the traditional ranch house styles of the 1970s – where the patio area is an extension of the rear part of the home.  The key to updating this look is in the post options and using paint and furniture items to bring a more modern feel to that outdoor space.

Now, How About Those Enclosed Patios…

These types of rooms are more commonly called sun rooms or sitting rooms.  More popular in times gone by, but like all things, making a comeback.  Similar to the type of patio covers mentioned above, these spaces are very customizable offering each customer to personalize their space.   Photo Credit

These porch-like spaces can provide a more enjoyable outdoor experience for longer periods in the season because of their enclosed nature.  Being screened in or enclosed with the use of retractable awnings or motorized awnings can provide another level of protection.  Enclosed areas can also be made to look and function as an indoor room with the use of pillars and draperies.

Remember, what you are really after with any type of outdoor patio space is to be more able to spend some quality time outdoors.  You may just need some down time after work.  Maybe you have children and want to watch them play outdoors without the pounding sun.  Entertaining outdoors will leave your guests impressed and rejuvenated.  No matter what type of option you choose, your patio cover will help you enjoy your time  with friends and family.

This is one example of a design for a covered patio that looks beautiful and provides very usable space.

So, what exactly are your patio cover plans?  What, you don’t know?  Okay, this is definitely the first place you should start if you have any hope of refining your search.

photo credit

Just browsing around online can certainly give you some great ideas, that’s probably how you landed here after all.  But, browsing can also be a big waste of your time if you don’t know what type of patio you are looking for.   You can find patio covers with several styles roofs and with all sorts of accessories.  You need to know how you plan on using your patio space, then you can set out in searching for styles you like.

For some homeowners, they need their patio roof to be something that is more solid, like your home’s roof rather than something that  is partially open like a pergola.  Your particular usage will determine what type will be best for you.

When we are talking about patio usage, we should discuss some of the specific points to help you clarify your needs.  Some patio designs take into account such things as entertaining and layout features that would be ideal for hosting parties and other get-togethers.  Some patios will be more functional for things such as sitting in a spot of shade after jumping out of the pool.  You might find a few chaise lounge chairs or some other patio furniture items that you can enjoy while you dry off.

Not everyone has the same things in mind.  Again, for the patio enthusiast, the lighting will be of great importance.  Many hosts will have an evening meal or entertainment out on their deck or patio.  This type of dining and entertaining requires specific types of lighting for the patio to be both safe and conducive to intimate conversation areas.  In the case of an outdoor kitchen type of set up, you may have some more formal dining furniture in place.  Some outdoor kitchen and room designs incorporate seating at the counter area or may have some cocktail tables nearby for a more lounging environment.  Additionally, if you plan on having evening parties, you may need to consider the temperature.  In the warmer summer months, this is not of much concern.  However, in the spring or fall, when many parts of the country can enjoy their patios in the evening or night, patio heating becomes a need.  Luckily, there are several types of patio heaters to help out.  These can substantially improve the ambient temperature of your patio space.  Keep in mind, depending upon the design of your patio, the roof and other factors may need to be addressed.

In the end, the design of your patio is much easier to address when you are building from the ground up.  If you plan on remodeling your outdoor space or patio area, now is the time to handle these issues.  You certainly don’t want to invest all this time and money into your project only to find that you aren’t able to enjoy the space as you had wished.  So, spend the time now and design your ideal covered patio so that you can enjoy it for years to come.

For some, the patio is a place where they can go to unwind from a long day or relax on the weekends.  It is more like a retreat and a place to kick up your heels.  And yet, to other homeowners, the patio is a place where they can host extravagant or exotic dinners and entertain guests.  These two ideas will likely need different covered patio designs.  It isn’t that a design couldn’t be found that could incorporate the two, it is just that you should consider these points and the way you plan to use your own patio prior to beginning your remodel or new patio construction.

While your covered patio plans may not be as detailed as an architect’s drawings, at least you’ll have some idea in mind as to what your next step will be.  That next step may be to create a material’s list if you plan on building your own patio cover.  If you plan on hiring a professional,  just make sure that your plans are clear.  What is obvious to you may not come across in your sketches or conversation.  Similarly, getting things in writing will always be your best bet if you hire out the work.

photo credit

Now, what about if you have a more formal patio space in mind?  In this case, you are not alone.  The trend in patio designs is to design and build them to be more like outdoor rooms.  It seems that patio covers are quickly becoming more like the ‘bones’ to create an outdoor space that resembles any space you might find inside your home.  This includes the creature comforts of television, heating, cooling, kitchens, patio furniture, you name it.  If you can find it indoors, then you can likely find its complement for your outdoor room.

You can tell that what was once considered just a simple area has really turned into a whole other animal.  Gone are the days of just using those white plastic lawn chairs for your furniture needs.  Those are fine for larger entertaining groups that will be broken down at the end of the evening.  However, for a more exotic and useful covered patio, keep the patio room concept in mind.

Patio Covers Designs and Inspiration

How would you know if you had taken all of the factors into account?  This is where a professional designer could help.  Your patio cover designs will take on several different characteristics of both your home and your personal style and preferences.  We’ll get to a few of the options below, rest assured, there are many more than you will see here.  These just reflect a representative sampling of basic designs.  The way that you can improve or enhance these is almost infinite (and budgetless it seems at times).  In other words, imagining what you would like your patio cover to look like and be is up to your imagination and budget, because literally almost anything is possible with the type of building materials and equipment available to today’s builder.

General Covered Patio Plans

Before we go any further, let’s briefly describe the covered patio types you might encounter or want to have designed, they fall into some broad general categories.  First of all, there is the category of open or closed patio roof styles.  This is simply a reference to the fact that some allow you to see the sky and allow rain to get through, others allow partial light and/or rain and others would block all light and water or other elements from Mother Nature.  Then, you need to consider the type of building material:  wood, metal, vinyl, fabric or some combination of all of these.   Another choice concerns free standing versus attached structures.  Finally, you would need to decide if you wanted to have shades or awnings as part of your cover as well.

This is a lot to consider.  So, in order to make the process simpler, you can simply view the pictures below and read the captions.  In most cases, the picture represented is a good reflection of the type of patio cover you can expect to see or have built within that style.  Patio covers are like any type of home remodeling project in this way; what you see for your use and taste can be reflected in your home.

Following Are Some Patio Cover Ideas

Here is an example of an attached – with posts – pergola type patio cover.  That is a mouth-full.  See how the beam on one end is mounted to the house?  This adds strength as well as making it look tied into the home.  This type of cover is also open as you can see.  Wood patio covers like this would also include styles that would have more slats across the top and then even plants and vines growing atop it.  This provides more shade and a softer appearance, all while adding a splash of color or aroma from any flowering plants.  Photo credit

Then, there is the image of this much larger pergola or trellis used in a park.   You could achieve a similar look, using a

This is an example of an open patio cover - pergola, with vines.

metal material and having a variety of vines or climbing plants growing.  This has been discussed, but it is a nice way of softening the appearance of the harder lines of the pergola or other patio structure of your choice.

Photo credit

Finally, there is this example using a patio cover kit.  There are both vinyl (vinyl coated aluminum) that use embossed patterns to give them that wood grain appearance.

Photo courtesy of http://austinpatio.com

The reason why patio cover plans are important is that to enable a livable, even workable space, consideration needs to be given to what needs to be covered. What is the climate like? Is there likely to be a lot of entertainment and gatherings there? How often is the area going to be used? All of these questions can and will influence the final decision on what the cover will look like when it is finally constructed.

Construction usually takes the form of either an open or enclosed structure, with a roof.   This patio roof, depending upon how it is designed can function as pure shade cover or provide a bit of mixed shade and sun, the perfect combination for plants below.  There are many variations on the theme and there are lots of varieties of hybrid structures that can combine both methods.  An area that is open for when the weather is beautiful and plants are flowering, and an area that is more sheltered so that the patio is still usable – even when conditions could be a little better.

As can be seen, there are so many different and varied patio cover ideas that it becomes vitally important to start the search by coming up with some needs and wants. The first of which should be, what is going to be the primary use of your patio cover. Is a lot of time going to be spent out there? If so, possibly a large cover would be suited. What material is the home made out of? It would look a tad awkward having a beautifully constructed brick design next to a mostly wooden home.  However, it is quite possible that this mix could work, given the proper planning and design.

By asking these sorts of questions, it becomes possible to envisage how the final design will turn out. Warm climate most of the year round? Then perhaps open patio cover designs are what are needed. Are you going to be doing lots of entertaining during the nighttime in a variable climate? An enclosed cover could be called for.  Likewise, if your weather is prone to a lot of rain or other weather, then you might opt for a covered patio that is simply an extension of your home’s roof.

Certainly, covered patio ideas start flowing thick and fast when a little bit of thought is given to what role they will ultimately play in the living area!  The main aim of covered patio designs is to find the best example of what is needed so that more time can be spent outdoors! Just think about all the fun and relaxation that will take place in the future when the cover is up.  Enjoy the design process as it comes to life for your new patio!

Photo credit

Before choosing the right material for your patio cover designs, you must first decide how you will use your patio.  There are many uses for a backyard patio from a dining area, a sort of spa retreat complete with a hot tub, or a private secluded haven.  The use of the patio will help you come up with realistic patio cover plans that will help you make the best use of your space.  When you are brainstorming covered patio ideas, remember there is not just one kind.  There are a variety of patios and each serves its own purpose.  Patios include open patios, patio or sunrooms, poolside patios, retreat patios and entry patios.  Review the specs of these patios to decide on which will utilize your space and suit to be most beneficial to your lifestyle.

Now that you have chosen to proceed with your idea, you must make patio cover plans such as where in your backyard you would like it built and how many people it will need to comfortably sit.  These factors will have a large influence on the size and designing of your patio.  Remember the small details, because every little bit counts.  Adding patio accessories such as patio furniture, the flooring of the patio, patio doors and a hideaway deck box, are all important and decorative features you should consider.  Most importantly is the patio roofing design.

As stated before, patio covers and roofs can be made out of many materials.  Aluminum and acrylic patio covers may not be as aesthetically pleasing as some, however they require much less maintenance and they are very affordable.  Natural wood covers create a very refined patio and can compliment any design, however they are quite a bit more costly to install and to maintain because the wood must be weatherproofed and treated often to prevent water damage.  For the best of both worlds, there are artificial wood grained or synthetic covered patio designs.  These designs offer the charm of natural wood, and the durability and limited upkeep of an acrylic or aluminum cover.

Whatever your needs, there are patio cover designs for you.  Whether you are creating the ultimate getaway in your backyard, or just a plain and simple outside dining area, you can find a charming design to fit your whole family’s taste.

Photo credit

This downside to building new is more about cost and convenience.  It will take longer and will cost you much more, generally speaking, to build from the ground up or with no existing structure from which to build off from.  But, as mentioned, there are also limitations that come into play from a construction stand point if you have to modify an existing structure to create the new patio design.

photo credit

There are many covered patio plans available online as well.  You can do a simple search to find pictures and descriptions of some of the more popular options.  You will also quickly find that there are many ways to describe a patio cover, so this may require a bit more homework on your part.

If what you are looking for is truly a covered patio, then you will need to further clarify what type of cover or roof you are looking for.  An open patio roof style can still be considered a “covered patio”, even though the cover will allow you to see the stars through it or have vines growing all over it like is the case with the classic pergola.  A semi-closed or closed patio roof style would be something more along the lines of a gazebo or even an extended patio common with a ranch-style home.  Since you found our site here, let’s discuss what we feel a covered patio to be.

Covered patios, in our mind, conjure up the image of that old Ranch-style home.  Here, you typically have a single-story layout, with the patio being created by extending the roof line out and often having posts as support.  The floor of the patio area can consist of a variety of materials from concrete to tile to outdoor carpeting.  Many times, these types of patios are finished into additional rooms for the home.  Depending upon how they are positioned, they may be ideally suited as a sunroom or even a modified greenhouse type room for the avid gardener.

Making sure to get the right covered patio plans in place prior to construction makes a big difference.

photo credit

Other Covered Patio Designs

Having said this about these types of covered patio plans, it is also quite feasible to be talking about something else when referring to a covered patio.  We would be remiss if we didn’t include the more traditional types of patio covers and patio cover descriptions.  Brief mention was made to them above, but they are the pergola and gazebo.  Variations of these themes could also be included under this larger umbrella category – no pun intended.

Pergolas, because of their flexibility can provide much needed shade and added ambiance and character to your outdoor space.  In fact, more and more outdoor living rooms and spaces take advantage of the pergola’s unique features.  Some of these features include handsome and simple design, lending themselves to a variety of installations and home styles.  Additionally, they can be built to accommodate larger more grand structures or be more simple with craftsmanship details.

Pergolas, more than gazebos, can be finished in a variety of ways.  Finished, in this case, is referring to the type of patio roof that you may choose to have.  Classic pergolas have a post and beam design.  More contemporary styles have a roof more typical of a Mediterranean cabana or villa.  In these cases, they could be tiled.  In other instances, a metal patio cover is called for in the design phase.  These can be made of metals such as steel and copper.  Metal roof materials come in a variety of applications including sheeting, “standing seam” and even tiles or shingles.

Some other possible places to check for ideas other than where you are right now in front of your keyboard would include fine home magazines and trade journals.  Occasionally, taking one of those home tours in your areas where designer homes are showcased can give you some ideas regarding your patio.  You can also see samples or portfolios from contractors that you may contact to see what type of experience and ideas they may have.  What ever your covered patio plans call for, there is a design style that can suit your needs.