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.

photo credit

Patio Cover Designs and Ideas

Often, what gives such an elegant look is what they leave off as much as what they are made of.  For example, the wooden beams that can cover the patio or deck, depending on where it is built, can provide just the right amount of shade, while letting just enough sun in to grow beautiful plants or climbing vines.  When these plants become more mature, they crawl all over these covered patio structures and look like some old-world Mediterranean or Spanish villa.  The posts that support the patio cover may be made of concrete, stone or even more expensive and exotic marble or limestone.  While these may be for the lifestyles of the rich and famous now, it’s really all that was available hundreds of years ago in many cases.  The point is, you can still capture the essence of these more expensive patio cover designs because of the plethora of man made and cultured materials these days.  The popularity of the outside room has made this type of patio easily accessible to all.  With a very modest budget, you can create quite a nice look.

Rustic Patio Covers Can Be Elegant Too

Patio designs range from rustic to refined.  Rustic appearances can be achieved by using newer materials manufactured to look old.  Some patio cover kits are sold this way.  These can also be made of newer cement block post structures that are covered with cultured tumbled stone facing material.  These appear like the posts are made of stacked rocks that support a nice wooden top or even a metal roof.  The pillars can also be finished smooth and have a Venetian plaster look to them creating quite a refined old-world style.  When you add lights, some awnings and patio canopies you’ve got an area that you and your guest will enjoy to relax and even dine under.

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

Simple rain chain rings.

If you’ve never seen the rain chain varieties that are available, you’ll be shocked.  The classic style originated with the interlocking rings.  You can see them in the picture here.  They are the simplest in design and can even be made using a variety of household appliances.  But, if you are truly looking for a great looking one, getting them in copper is the way to go.  With time, copper rain chains, will develop a nice patina and will add another aesthetic element to your home.  These look great outside a home near a patio, for added dramatic effect and ‘white noise’ on those comfortable rainy days.

photo credit

Additional styles of rain chains include cups, bowls and flower shapes.  Most of these are also made with copper.  While they could be made with other metal materials, like bronze, copper is lighter in weight and also develops a nice patina like bronze.  Thin-gauged steel would work as far as weight and workability, but it would rust over time.  Initially, this could give a nice rustic look to your rain chains, but over time, it would need to be replaced.

The origins of these marvels dates back centuries.  They are widely known to be first made in Japan where many simple, yet elegant designs come from.  In fact, in principles of the placement of objects and orientation of home designs known as Feng Shui utilizes flowing water and sound as part of the treatment for certain issues regarding the flow of energy in one’s home.  Outdoor patio spaces can benefit just the same from these ancient principles of alignment and orientation.

A covered patio acts much like an enclosed room and can lend itself to the same benefits of having good Feng Shui design.  Whether your tastes are more simple and basic or you prefer more eccentric designs, you can find rain chain design that suits your needs.  There are ways to incorporate these design ideas into your home that can work well with other specific outdoor features.  One of these is with the seamless gutter.  A seamless gutter system is another way to enhance the look of your home with one clean line of gutter.  It is also more functional because there are less joints – possibly none – to leak.  At the ends, a downspout is still necessary.  Special rain chain gutter pieces are necessary to

accomplish this, but it isn’t a difficult installation.  You can get a seamless copper gutter and match this with a copper rain chain for a really complementary and nice look.

Rain Chain Pricing

These are the rain chain cups.

There are some disparities when it comes to pricing of these pieces of functional art.  If you are shopping online, you will find that the pricing falls somewhere between $100 to $125 USD for 8’ of the simple styles and $150 to $300 USD for an 8’ length of the more intricate or involved styles, like the cup and flower shaped designs.  As a general rule of thumb, you can plan to spend around $15 USD per foot of rain chain for the basic styles and several hundred per length for the more artistic versions.

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.

Now, what about for that backyard patio party?  What are you doing there to make a bigger impact and remodel to allow for more functional space and a better entertaining area?  The choice many people make first is to get some type of patio cover.  If you don’t have much experience with these, then getting some patio cover ideas will be in order.  These ideas could come from several different sources, online is the first and most simple way to come about doing your search.  In fact, it is likely how you found our site.  There are pictures online to browse, fine home magazines you can look through or you can even have an architect and designer sketch some patio cover plans for you to look at.  You will obviously pay for the professional help, but it will be well worth it in the end, because they will be able to match your landscape features and home design to that of your new patio cover – what ever style that happens to be.

photo credit

As a brief introduction or outline if you aren’t familiar, there are a few patio covers that stand out as the most common and simple to build.  It doesn’t mean that they are not very handsome and elegant features to add to your space, quite the contrary.  Often, the simplest designs allow for the beauty of the landscape and other backyard features to come forth.  The pergola is likely the most common type of free standing patio cover.

There are other styles, including the gazebo and attached pergola.  The attached version simply has a header beam mounted to the wall of your home and may extend out the roof line a bit to ‘form’ a little patio area.

The pergola and gazebo have some similar features in that they are both usually constructed of wood and are meant to provide an intimate area to relax or entertain.  The pergola is a bit more of an open structure, with a ‘ribbed’ roof that can support a variety of roofs or climbing vines and plants.  Patio roofs could include a metal roof like a folded seam steel or even a nice copper.

Additionally, the roof of your covered patio could be made of a stone product like a Mediterranean tile or cement tile.  The gazebo is more of a semi-closed structure with a wooden roof and some railings, often with built-in bench seating.  Gazebos usually have a bit more in the way of detailing where a pergola has more craftsman styling and simple lines.  Your patio cover ideas should include what type of theme you would like your space to have.  This will greatly help determine what materials will be used and what type of structure you will have built.

The key to the whole party planning thing is having timelines and project to-dos.  That way, you can just look up on your calendar and see what needs to be done that day to ultimately be ready for the big day.  Plus, there is always some cleaning and preparation of your space to be done.  This is where we can talk about how your patio covers vine covered seating area will be the talk of the party.  But, not now, we’ll get to that.  First things first, we have to decide who is coming to the party.  This is among the first steps. You’ll need to come up with a guest list.  This helps to not only get a head count, but also to plan for special seating or food choices.  Hey, who knows, maybe even additional wine, beer or other spirits planning as well depending on the type of crowd you hang around with.  This can all be done about two weeks ahead of the party date.

Your Patio Cover Will Come Into Play, Just Wait

At the one to two week mark, you’ll want to start thinking about hardware.  In other words, do the grills or other appliances work, or do they need some repairs?  Do you need to buy charcoal or gas?  Are all the tablecloths where you think they are?  Have you got the plates and any special order food items taken care of?  This is where you can also do a first stage of cleaning of your patio.  You can start high and work your way down – just like a window washer.  This could mean knocking down any cobwebs that have found their way into or around your patio cover.  Maybe your hanging pergola vine garden is in need of some trimming.  This would be a good time to fix and broken bricks or misplaced pavers and such.  You can also ensure that all your outdoor lighting is working properly.  Check to see if your garden lights or strung patio lights all work.

At about the two to three day mark, you can start shopping for your everything but the perishable food items.  Make sure you know what food you’ll be cooking and when to avoid the frantic serving at the last minute to starving guests phenomenon.  You can clean your grill (again) if you haven’t done this step.  Finish the lighting do another cleaning of your outdoor patio furniture.  Get those patio furniture covers off and make sure the chair cushions are in good shape.  You probably could have done this at the week ago mark.  In any event, do another sweeping of your covered patio and you can hose down any areas that are particularly dusty.

One More Day and the Patio Covers Ultimate Purpose Will Be Revealed

Here's a party that moved outside because a great patio area.

You’re almost there!  On the day just before your big party arrange the furniture and pick up any items that you are borrowing or buying as far as seating, tables, umbrellas, patio heaters and lighting goes.  This is when you can shop for the perishable items that you want to be as fresh and crispy as possible for your guests.  You’ll probably want to do another re-cleaning of your house and the patio area.  It might just require some quick spot or attention cleaning.

photo credit

After you (or a teenage child) gets the cleaning done, you can prepare as many of your recipes and ingredients as possible.  Thaw what needs to be thawed in the refrigerator.  On the morning of the party, buy the ice, fill the coolers, decorate the tables and lay the table cloths.  Prepare your foods as you have scheduled and make sure your patio is not going to be too hot or wet from your sprinklers turning on in the middle of the whole thing.  You can invest in some patio shades for the areas that your patio cover just doesn’t help you with for shade.  Just before guests begin arriving, you can turn on the music (if you haven’t already been jamming this morning in excitement), set the lighting and get the appropriate drinks open.  Now, sit back relax and enjoy the party with the rest of your guests out on your patio.  You can take the time to enjoy all the hard work and planning that went into your party as well as your patio cover designs that helped create this wonderful setting.

Great Patio Cover Designs Are More Than Just Expensive Patio Furniture Covers

In other words, hopefully who ever you have build a patio cover (unless you plan on doing it yourself you brave soul) had better have some taste that you trust or has a very good idea of what you want done.  If not, you’re in danger of having a very expensive and probably boring looking cover for your patio furniture.  That’s fine, you need covers for your chairs and benches and all that stuff too.  It’s just that you might not necessarily want it to be just for that purpose.

In most cases, when there is an expensive patio set, the owners will have separate covers for those pieces or simply use them in the outdoor environment when entertaining and then move them back into a more protected area when not in use.  This is a pain, so most people opt for the covers.  So, when you are building this patio and making decisions about how or what you will use for a cover, remember how you will be using your furniture and the type of space you’d like to create.

The Simplest Of Outdoor Patio Covers

Pergolas like this can support growing vines and flowering plants.

Probably, one of the simplest in design and often most elegant in appearance are the pergola type wood patio covers.  Often mistakingly referred to as a gazebo, a pergola has more of an open patio roof structure to them.  Many gazebo covers are more roof-like in appearance.  They may not be a solid, water shedding type structure, but often it lets much less water fall directly beneath it.  In the case of a pergola, the roof or cover has more of a criss-crossed beam structure to it.  It’s not quite like a garden lattice, but it may employ a lattice piece in its design elements.  Overall, the pergola is more versatile as well.  You can plant climbing vines or other greenery that will grow up the posts of your pergola.  A cool, shaded patio cover can be created by using these climbing vines planted in the ground near each post of your pergola.  Or, you can opt to have them in large pots near each post that can also help create that exotic look.   However you choose to cover your patio, make sure you keep these design elements in mind.