Patio Ideas

The large overhangs provide year-round comfort while adding a strong architectural element to the simple massing.

“We didn’t want the pit to be an obtrusive contraption sitting in the center of a zen-like courtyard,” says architect Matthew Hufft. A low-profile fire pit is the perfect continuation of a mellow Missouri backyard. Photo by Mike Sinclair.

The downstairs family room serves as a guest room for visiting family, the kids’ play area and art studio, movie-watching room, and indoor/outdoor living room.

Working with contractor Mike Stayer of Core Construction, the designers created an indoor/outdoor environment for the family. The kids hang out while Jaclyn helms the grill from Barbeques Galore. The Eos Collection dining set is from Design Within Reach. An Element coffee table from CB2 occupies the covered patio.

Minarc’s GRASSsit bar stools, topped with synthetic turf recycled from football fields, sit near the barbecue.

Large paver patios make excellent walkways.

Beach days, park picnics, and backyard barbecues—wherever your Fourth of July weekend takes you, these products will elevate your event with ease.

Merging modern architecture and traditional clay construction, the sauna consists of a shower room, meditation room, and a steam cabin. A glass facade offers orchard views.

Ben enjoys spending time outdoors on warm days cooking meals for his family.

LEDs behind the slatted cedar screen cast a soft glow on the concrete and wood surrounding the lap pool. Click here to view more photos of the renovated cottage!

Glass Houses Though the original plans called for a frameless wall of glass in the back, it turned out that it would eat up most of the budget. Instead, they installed three wood-framed windows made by Fecon. fecon.de Cut and Plant For the landscaping, the couple literally took a page out of somebody else’s book. Winterhalder says their garden was lifted from page 38 of Peter Janke’s Kleine Gärten (Small Gardens), published by Becker Joest Volk Verlag. bjvv.de

Modern and minimal doesn't mean unlivable, rugs make outdoor spaces inviting.

The whole exterior of the home, including the trim, is painted Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore for a monochromic, quiet look.

Outer Space Landscape Architects built a custom fireplace in the backyard, which acts as a backstop for the seating area.