Antique Style

Here are some older patio furniture items that make for a great antique element to your patio space.

Perhaps more of a theme than a formal style of design, this antique patio design would include items that carry some historical presence or look about them.  The antique style of design usually favors weathered-looking furniture, tumbled pavers and concrete layouts.

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The pavers and planters are usually stained or tumbled, with brick commonly used for the various paving designs. This gives the patio a cobblestone look, with the bricks laid out in seemingly random patterns.

Southwest Style

The Southwest style is a great patio design idea that tends to be open aired, and reminiscent of the Mexican, or adobe, style home. What usually makes the Southwest style different from Mexican style is the color palette that is used. Many Mexican themes use bright colors and traditional figures.

This pergola and outdoor fireplace mark two of the very common features of a southwestern style patio.

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Southwest styles may incorporate the use of native wood species or rely on muted tones of stucco or Adobe walls and ceiling areas. Because the intense sun is such a concern, patio designs that incorporate shading structures are a necessary part of the overall design.  These may be pergola designs that provide both shade and an elegant way to create an outdoor living space or something more like a Ranch-style covered patio.

This is a beautiful example of a design that is likely to be found in southern California.

The floors normally consist of large sized pavers, etched with designs reminiscent of the Southwest. The pavers, themselves, are usually made of concrete or clay in a more traditional style.  It is also very common to find a chiminea that can be used as an accent piece or as a functional way of adding some heat to a patio on a cooler desert evening.

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Landscaping features used in this particular style are more drought-resistant plant species.  Some take this to mean that these can only be cacti or other desert looking plants.  Many people are excited to learn about the variety of vibrant colors, shapes and sizes of plants that can be used in xeriscaped landscape designs.

Asian Style

The Asian style of patio design features a mix of a few bold colors, with simple furniture pieces that are often found set low to the floor.  Think minimalist.  Some of the landscape elements, in terms of spacing and size, can be similar to those found in the southwestern style patio.  However, there are also designs that incorporate many plants and elegant flowers that require a fair amount of water and tending.  The Japanese garden and similar outdoor spaces are characterized by these simple elements.

The lighting of this area should be consistent with this serene space.  Low lighting levels, overall, with a few select highlighted plants is enough to give this garden or patio space a depth at night.  Within the Asian culture, too much light is considered to be intrusive.  The flooring can be either wood or stone, gravel or other natural material.

Here are some traditional Japanese garden elements.

While many styles of patio benefit from the addition of water fountains or streambeds, an Asian style patio is a perfect match for these.  The principle of Feng Shui, an ancient design philosophy that emphasizes the flow of energy in a space.  Water carries a very symbolic meaning in this design.

Smaller fountains found in a garden area or a koi pond are very typical of these types of backyard spaces.  You can still utilize an Asian style with some of the modern conveniences like a solar fountain to provide for the water feature.

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While not necessarily limited to an Asian-themed patio, you can also utilize Japanese rain chains as a great way to divert water away from the roof of your home or patio to the landscaping surrounding your space.

Victorian Style

This idea with the figurine atop the fountain and flower selection is a great example of a simple Victorian garden space.

In the Victorian style of design, wrought iron is frequently used in the furniture and in the accents. It is also common to have the space feel inviting, flowery and sometimes whimsical.  This playfulness can come in the form of various figurines or the designs of arches and other structural elements.

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Place planters along the paths through the area, to give it more of a garden look.  In many ways, this style is similar to the country garden style discussed in our backyard landscaping ideas story.

The paths, themselves, can be made of granite cobblestones, or flagstones. Even marble would be considered a good fit for the the Victorian style.

Another good addition to a Victorian patio is an antique porch swing or rocking chair.  A nice outdoor glider could be the modern equivalent of this.  The lighting around the seating areas should not be very bright.

When considering these outdoor patio ideas, the age of the home, as well as the decorative style that is already existing, will be an influence on the end result. However, with the right choices, a beautifully decorated patio will make a great place to relax and unwind.

When you’re thinking about how to design your patio, and whether or not (and how) to cover your patio, it’s important to think of your garden environment in a holistic way. Your patio, magnificent though it is, doesn’t exist in splendid isolation – it has to complement all of the other features of your garden as well, if it is to truly have the desired effect of improving your home.

You can see how this conservatory in Stockwood park has aged, but still maintained its usefulness.

Many homes have not just a patio, but a conservatory as well. And, quite often, the patio is placed right outside of the conservatory, surrounding it. In this case, it’s vital to make sure that you plan each sensitively to make sure that they work together, and that they don’t clash.

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This means things like choosing your patio tiles to match the color of the frame of your conservatory. If you’ve got a wooden conservatory, light colors often work well, to counter the darkness of the wood. Likewise, if you have a white PVC conservatory, then a darker, richer shade of tile can show off both to their best.

However, contrasts don’t work quite so well when you are planning a patio cover or a patio roof to sit next to your conservatory. A wooden patio cover next to a white PVC conservatory frame is a garden style disaster waiting to happen. So is an aluminum frame next to a classic wooden conservatory – a disaster so hideous, in fact, that you’ll probably spend your time hiding behind your conservatory blinds, rather than venturing out to actually enjoy your garden.

One of the best ways is to construct the patio frame from the same wood as the conservatory frame. If possible, buy the wood for both at the same time. That way you can be assured of a good match that will leave your garden looking effortlessly beautiful.

Conservatory Blinds

As with other applications of patio blinds, there are really no differences with respect to these styles.  The name is just to describe where they will be used.  In the case of a true greenhouse application, it is essential to use blinds that can withstand those moist and humid conditions.  Wood blinds could work well, though you will not often need to have them on many windows as it is the sun you are wanting here.

The more common application of blinds for a conservatory are in the sunroom application, where you have created a new living space.  You may consider this an outdoor room or an extension of another indoor living space that you have more properly built out.  In either case, there are a variety of blinds from which to choose.  These include solar blinds, pleated blinds, roman shade styles, venetian and vertical blinds as well.  The solar styles are often made to be especially UV resistant and can help keep your conservatory a more pleasant place to spend some quality time.

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.

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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.

Now, there are outdoor rooms with all sorts of styles and conveniences of modern living.  No longer do you have to ‘rough’ it outside and sit on uncomfortable furniture in the blazing summer heat.  Some things just cannot be removed.  If you are trying to make summer not feel like summer in some areas of the country, good luck.  However, you can make your experience outdoors much more enjoyable.  Take temperature issues just as one example.

A beautiful looking outdoor room set up.

One of the most critical features of any outdoor patio room is going to be shade in the daytime and a sense of protection and coziness in the evening.  For shade, there are things like patio covers, awnings and blinds or curtains if you want a softer and more exotic look.  There are really no rules to these things.  Sure, outdoor landscape designers and decorators can give you some great ideas for what your possibilities are, but if your space fits your needs, then you are doing it right.

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Another great feature you can add to your patio space is a misting system. These are nothing more than a tubing system that has nozzles placed evenly along the line that sprays out a fine mist of water to cool your patio space.  They are reported to be able to cool a patio area by as much as 30 degrees.  Part of this effect is the perceived cooling it provides.  The smaller the water droplets that come out, the better the effect.  The droplets hit your skin and then evaporate.  It is this evaporation that creates the cool sensation.  Larger droplets mean slower evaporation.

Now, as far as that evening entertaining goes, the critical component is your outdoor lighting.  This is what will create the ambiance.  While flood lights will throw a lot of light, they will not provide any sort of spot lighting for more intimate settings or gatherings.  Your outdoor room needs light just like any indoor room in your home.  When you have both spot and flood lighting options, then you can create more of a mood.

A final key feature to your outdoor entertaining in the evening is heating.  If we are talking about the fall or spring, patio heaters can solve your problems.  For the most part, you can get by with one of these and solve any issues with your patio being too cold to be comfortable.  A typical floor-mounted patio heater that is fueled by propane will be adequate for about a 10-15 foot diameter.

You can also go for a more intimate setting using an outdoor patio fireplace.  These are quite portable and available in a number of different styles and sizes.  They are very similar to a firepit, but are less permanent.  You can achieve a more quaint gathering around a natural wood fire than you will on a patio with a propane heater.  Although, you can also get a patio fire pit table that can give you both a small crackling fire with the convenience of an outdoor table to sit at.  Again, the choices and accessories for your patio are almost endless.  If you can imagine it, it is probably available somewhere online.  And, if it is, it is probably talked about here at Patio Covers Place, where outdoor rooms and other patio living ideas are our passion.

This is a floor-mounted patio heater.

At one time, patio heaters were more available for commercial purposes and not suited well for the residential owner.  Whether it was cost, size or application, the patio heater was something you only saw at your favorite restaurant’s outdoor patio or at large outdoor events.  All this has changed with the introduction of the types of portable patio heaters we are discussing here.

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There are floor-stand styles and other table-top versions.  The typical floor-standing patio heater is capable of heating an area approximately 10-15’ in diameter.  They use propane fuel, in most cases, to burn at about 40,000 BTU throwing a very comfortable amount of heat.  They also have settings so you can control the amount of heat it is giving off.  At full high heat, a typical propane patio heater will last about 8-10 hours.

Your patio may not be that large in size, so you may not require a heater that is capable of this heat output.  For smaller applications and spaces, there is the table-top patio heater that was mentioned above.  This style is exactly as it sounds, it sits atop a table or shelf that provides more local heat to a smaller group of people.  This can give you a nicer and more cozy feel to your patio gathering.  Who knows, maybe you are just spending some time out there with your significant other and don’t need to be heating a large space.  There are no rules against both of these types of patio heaters on your patio at once.  In this way, they could act much like a patio shade and a patio umbrella do.  One provides large shade cover, one is a bit more ‘spot’ specific.  You could have the floor-stand one blasting out its heat for your whole space and find that there are little nooks and pockets on your patio that your table top heater could hit more effectively, all while saving you more in terms of fuel costs and wasted heat.

If you thought chandeliers were only for indoor spaces, think again.  In fact, there are all sorts of rustic lighting

It just feels instantly more elegant with a chandelier - even outside.

options that may suit your patio space.  Some of these patio light options include rope or string lights.  The rope style is sometimes referred to as deck lights, because of how they can be mounted along a railing or perimeter of a deck.  There are also styles that are more playful or whimsical and can be hung from your patio cover or other outdoor patio structure.  You might even find that your patio umbrella can be used as a source of light – at least in so far as the umbrella structure can support different lighting options.

But, for truly elegant lighting and a grand outdoor space, you’ve got to look into getting an outdoor chandelier.  These are not just indoor models that you no longer care about so you stick them outside.  These varieties have been manufactured to withstand the conditions of water and other issues with the elements, such as temperature and dust.  Imagine your patio as a type of outdoor room.  This room, just like others in your home, has a roof, floor and walls.  Okay, sometimes the walls are more a hint of a wall, like posts upon which some outdoor curtains or shades have been hung.  The floor can be stone or pavers and may be softened by the use of an outdoor rug.

The use of quality outdoor dining furniture will also help to create the mood of the space in question.  If you use top of the line furniture, your lighting will only serve to accent that and make your space shine even more.  So, enough talk about why a chandelier makes such a great addition to your outdoor room, how about some specifics.

The style of chandelier that you choose will be directly related to how you plan on using your space.  Like all accessories, you will get the most benefit if the type of lighting you choose matches your entertaining style.  These outdoor chandeliers we are speaking about are also available with shades, so you are not limited to the pendant drops and crystal styles.  Again, in all circumstances, remember to ensure that any outdoor light you choose is approved for outdoor use, has sealed electrical circuitry and is appropriately grounded.  You can get additional protection from having your switch in a rubberized ‘envelope’ with a heavier gauge outdoor cord.  These things should all come standard on any outdoor chandelier.

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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.

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Your average sized patio will need multiple blinds if you want complete protection and privacy. Most patios have somewhere between 4 and 8 openings, and each one will need its own blind. The beauty of this is, you can decide which ones you want open, and which ones should be closed. You can still block out that harsh heat (or that neighbors sticky beak), while benefiting from that southerly breeze from the other side.

Bamboo is one of the best materials that you could use on your patio, as it is incredibly durable, and environmentally friendly. This is why bamboo flooring is so popular and versatile.  Many people don’t realize just how strong this material is. As a matter of fact, bamboo, in

An example of an outdoor bamboo blind.

many cases, is even stronger than wood, has the ability to withstand the extreme conditions that a patio is subjected to, without having to constantly treat the blinds to keep them in good condition.

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From an environmental standpoint, the best thing about bamboo is the fact that it is such an incredibly renewable resource. Bamboo grows many times faster than wood, this means a higher turnover for the farmer, a smaller price tag for you, the customer, and the crops are replenished in a fraction of the time, when compared to wood. With all the talk you hear about global warming and holes in the ozone layer, the less old growth forests that are used in our homes the better.

One of the biggest benefits of having a patio is that it allows you to relax in comfort, while still enjoying the outdoors. Many people don’t realize until it’s too late, that installing fabric, vinyl or steel blinds or shutters on their patio can quite often ruin this characteristic and turn your patio into just another room of your house. Bamboo, with its natural grains and organic look, creates the privacy and protection you are looking for, without taking away from the joy of being outdoors.

If you are on a tight budget, then bamboo blinds are the perfect option. You will find that there is no cheaper material to be found in the world of outdoor patio shades, and you can save even more by doing your shopping online. Because web based stores have fewer overheads, they will more often than not pass these savings on to you. Not only will they save you a packet in the initial purchase, but they are extremely easy to install. This means that you can save even more by grabbing your drill and screwdriver out of the garage and installing them yourself.

Once they are installed, you will need to keep in mind that they should be rotated on a regular basis. I like to rotate mine every three months or so. The reason for this is that one side of the blinds will see a lot more sunlight over time than the other side, and the blinds will start to fade over time. Flipping them around on a regular basis will ensure that the fading happens more gradually and evenly over the whole bamboo blind.

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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.

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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.

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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.