Spring is on the horizon and there are indeed warmer days ahead. One of the best ways to get ready for the springtime is to start preparing your yard—and specifically, your patio—for outdoor relaxing and entertaining. The best backyard patio ideas marry form with function, granting you a spot to do it all al fresco, from container gardening and cooking to reading and working from home. There are also plenty of ways to ensure your backyard patio caters to your home’s specific aesthetic and needs, from specialty stone that reinforces your style to creative accents that provide personality and playfulness. Below, we’re rounding up 10 designer-approved backyard patio ideas to inspire your own outdoor oasis—just in time for sunnier days.
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Create a Spot to Cook
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There’s just something about whipping up a meal outdoors that makes it taste ten times better. Even if your kitchen is at the back of your house, having a dedicated cooking zone outdoors will take your chef (and entertaining) game to a whole new level. In this charming backyard space designed by Leslie Saeta, an integrated grill and smoker pair with a nearby outdoor island for a prep-meets-dining space that will be the envy of the neighborhood.
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Opt for an Eye-Catching Backdrop
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Embracing the great outdoors is always the goal in a backyard, but not everyone has acres of greenery to look out upon. If your home boasts a less-than-desirable view, consider turning it into a form of art with a standout statement wall. This personality-packed scene from Hamilton Design Associates breaks the mold, with a funky plaid tile wall that offsets playful pink couches and a concrete fire pit.
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Paint Playful “Tiles”
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When making an outdoor patio your own, it’s important to look for places to personalize your picks, adding color to your palette or pattern to the scene. In this personality-packed patio designed by DIY blogger Hayley Stuart, a cement floor gets an easy upgrade in the form of terracotta and white paint. When painted in an angular pattern, it lends the effect of a much pricier tile and reinforces the other creative picks in the space, like the Moroccan pouf and vintage rug.
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Create Separate Zones
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If square footage isn’t an issue, your backyard patio can certainly do it all, from offering up a lounge area where you can hang with friends, to providing a more formal dining scene where dinner is the star. In this backyard designed by Mindy Gayer, three different patio treatments allow the space to be carved into distinct zones: a slightly raised platform for dining, a “sunken” lounge area right off the interior living room, and a nearby rock-covered fire pit for a rustic end to each evening.
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Make the Most of a Snug Spot
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If this airy escape proves anything, it’s that even the smallest patio nook can be transformed into a vacation-worthy oasis. To upgrade the outdoor space on the side of her home, creator Traci Sheppard worked to crazy pave the concrete, plant a petite palm tree, install a bamboo cover over her existing fence, and cover up her air conditioning unit with a piece that doubles as a standing bar. The end result? A light-flooded hideaway that’s the perfect place to sneak in a mid-day break.
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Hang a Playful Touch
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Even the most understated patio can be memorable with the right additions. With space at a premium, you want to focus on incorporating items that bring personality and function. (A small space won’t afford you the room for a pretty but impractical addition.) In this petite patio by DIY and design influencer Amanda Walker, a charming rattan swinging chair makes the most of a snug corner, offering up an enticing spot to finally get some reading done al fresco.
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Add a Pretty Focal Point
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Just like any room in your home, your outdoor patio needs a focal point to anchor the space and offer visual interest. In a smaller spot, that can be something as simple as a flower-covered trellis or potted tree; in a larger backyard patio, something more prominent is in order. Here, designer Liz Williams grounds the multi-use patio with a substantial—and stunning—custom fireplace, complete with playful Italian tile surround.
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Facilitate Indoor-Outdoor Flow
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Locating your patio right off the back of your home means it’s even easier to enjoy, but it also necessitates you think twice about how it plays off your home's architecture and nearby rooms. To create natural synergy and flow between the indoors and outdoors, consider adding a high-top bar where you can post up for an icy smoothie or mid-day co*cktail. In this playful project, designer Christina Kim opted for an expansive wall of windows that can be opened to let the breeze in—or allow you to play out your bartender fantasies.
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Throw Some Shade
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Protecting your patio from the elements does more than just keep you from getting sunburned. The right coverage can extend the life of your outdoor furniture and allow you to utilize the space in less-than-perfect weather conditions. At this charming abode, designer Mindy Gayer commissioned a pergola that mimicked the roofline of the home for a covered patio that seamlessly integrated into its surroundings.
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Incorporate Creature Comforts
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To ensure your time spent outdoors is just as cozy as life inside, make sure to incorporate some creature comforts into your patio scene. By styling up your backyard with pieces reminiscent of your home’s interior—think rugs, pillows, blankets, and decorative accents—you’ll up the comfort and aesthetic appeal of your patio in an instant. In this cozy sanctuary, creator Sara Toufali of Black & Blooms turned to a palette of white and blue—plus plenty of textures—to lend a comfy, relaxed appeal to her patio.
