Small patio cover ideas
23 Patio Cover Ideas That Make Outdoor Living a Breeze | Architectural Digest
AD It Yourself
Beautiful patio cover ideas to bask in your outdoor living room in all weather
By Rachel Davies and Terri Williams
Architect Eric J. Smith knows that a covered patio is a segue into backyard haven.Photo: Durston Saylor
A patio can add additional living space to your home by creating an exterior living area. If you add patio covers as part of your design scheme, that outdoor space becomes even more functional. By providing a cover to the alfresco area, you have a leg up on the elements. A patio cover allows you to take advantage of the outdoor living room more often. Plus, depending on the homeowner’s climate, you’ll be able to enjoy the patio most—if not all—of the year. This allows you to bask in the beauty of your backyard, whether you want to spend some quiet time alone or entertain family and friends with outdoor dining or a tête-à-tête in a shady seating area. When done right, a patio cover can help to create a seamless transition between your interior and exterior spaces. Whether you’re looking to spruce up backyard ideas or add some pizzazz to concrete patio ideas, AD has you covered.
There are various types of materials that you can use to cover your patio. These range from outdoor fabrics, shade sails, wood pergolas, as well as aluminum and steel structures. You can also use awnings, canopies, retractable covers, and even create cabanas. “Retractable awnings, big market umbrellas, built-in pergolas, wrought iron patio covers, and any variety of shade structures are available and they are improving year over year,” says Los Angeles–based landscape designer Andrea Scharff. “Also, patio covers provide structure for fragrant vines that add a layer of beauty that pleases all of the senses. I love any fragrant vine like wisteria, roses, jasmine, and stephanotis.”
Here are 23 patio cover ideas from landscaping and design industry experts that’ll help you get the most out of your outdoor space.
1. Add a pergola with interesting lighting
Spherical lights hung from a pergola add a sense of dimension to this outdoor patio designed by Andrea Scharff.
Photo: Andrea Scharff
“What’s wonderful about patio covers is that they allow for shade during the day and provide structure for gas or electric heaters to be affixed to in order to keep cool evenings toasty,” says Scharff. As demonstrated by this space she designed, pergolas also create the opportunity to hang pendant lighting. Annapolis, Maryland, architect Cathy Purple Cherry approaches lighting on a covered patio by asking: Do you need to have the ability to read at night? She employs two approaches to outdoor lighting. One strategy is for decor and ambiance—think chandeliers and wall sconces. The second is for true task lighting, like recessed cans in a built-in patio cover. Whichever option you choose, it should be switched separately and dimmable, Purple Cherry advises.
“I would select a decorative fixture because of the ways it casts shadows and refracts light on space, creating interest,” she adds.
2. Use outdoor fabric
This pool-side space designed by Chris Grubb for Arch-Interiors Design Group feels all the more intimate thanks to the addition of a fabric cover with a skylight that brightens up the space.
Photo: Greg Weiner
Depending on your yard, the idea of a pergola over your patio might feel structurally heavy, but Christopher Grubb, an interior designer and founder of Beverly Hills–based Arch-Interiors Design Group, says it can still work. “Outdoor fabric over the top softens it, tie-back drapery with an extra detail-like edge banding gives it an extra element of interest,” he explains. “And rather than looking up at a solid fabric covering, consider sheer-pleated exterior fabric.”
3. Cover up with umbrellas
A couple of umbrellas provide relief from the sun on this modern patio landscaped by Andrea Scharff, with the help of the home’s interior designer Stacey Copeland of Blythe Home.
Photo: Meghan Bierle O’Brien
“When choosing ideas for a covered patio, really think about the location, how the sun hits the patio and at what time, and the optimum use times,” advises David Charette, cofounder of Britto Charette in Miami. Charette says the covered patio doesn’t necessarily have to be fixed or stationary. “Maybe the right solution for you is to have a collapsible structure or a structure that’s nomadic and can be moved around with the sun,” he says. “This can add flexibility to your design and provide shade from sun and protection from rain.” Los Angeles-based Stacey Copeland, principal of Blythe Home, used large canvas umbrellas to create the feeling of an outdoor room for a client’s midcentury house. “Because the house is small, we took every opportunity to extend the living into the garden, creating shady pockets for lounging and entertaining,” she says.
4. Add a trellis
A rustic trellis with a woven cover embodies lounging vibes.
Photo: Carolin Voelker
“A trellis is introduced onto a patio as a way to help filter direct, natural sunlight,” Purple Cherry explains. “It provides some layer of shading, although minimal. A trellis is really more of an ornamental structure than a functional structure. If you like a trellis for its ornamental nature, consider installing a beautiful retractable awning above it to provide more substantial shading, if needed.”
5. Create a sunken living room
A Choeff Levy Fischman Architecture + Design waterfront patio with an outdoor sunken living room offers quite a view and a space to chill.
Photo: Courtesy of Choeff Levy Fischman
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A sunken living room is a way to add a midcentury modern twist to an outdoor space. Ralph Choeff, founding principal of Choeff Levy Fischman Architecture + Design in Miami, praises the approach for its ability to “create a resort-like living environment,” which is enhanced with a patio cover with durable Brazilian Ipe wood and cantilevered roofs that provide shade from the sun.
6. Build a multi-level patio
A patio area is all the more impressive when made multi-level, as this Cathy Purple Cherry space exemplifies.
Photo: Darren Setlow
“The fantastic thing about elevating a patio is that the steps themselves become furniture,” Purple Cherry says. In addition, putting a patio on a pedestal (quite literally) allows the view to be elevated as guest take in the adjacent pool [not shown]. Just make sure that the patio is deep enough to support all the furnishings for optimal effect.
7. Think timber frame
As seen in this outdoor area designed by Cathy Purple Cherry, a timber frame adds a certain farmhouse-leaning charm. A similar look could be achieved with a wooden pergola.
Photo: Darren Setlow
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“This is a timber-frame-covered patio utilizing Douglas fir tongue and groove ceiling as well as exposed fir rafters,” Purple Cherry explains, though she does have a word of caution for those hoping to add hanging lights outside, as the owner of this space did.
When placing decorative chandeliers or ceiling lights in a porch, consider if there is a high wind factor, as you wouldn’t want your lights to swing out of control. Chains and tiebacks can keep light fixtures at bay, however.
8. Play up the pool house
A freestanding pergola with an organic silhouette can create a more welcoming pool-side environment.
Photo: Sollina Images
“Pool houses can be closed spaces or open pavilions,” Purple Cherry advises. An outdoor patio with a freestanding wooden pergola can offer shade and sun protection but also communicate a more relaxing vibe than a completely covered outdoor space.
9. Bring nature in with lattices
A lattice decorated with climbing vines and purple petunias adds a bit of greenery to this castle-style concrete patio.
Photo: Perry Mastrovito
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You can enhance traditional exterior surfaces and adorn the patio as you would any other room in the home, says Paige Foss, architecture designer at Drees Homes in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
For a simple DIY project, add lattice with greenery to further blur the line between interior and exterior.
10. Combine natural elements
A wooden pergola outlined in black trim adds strong architectural elements in an otherwise wild garden.
Mumemories
“The beauty is in the details,” says Rob McKay, chief operating officer at InStone, a wholesale stone distributor of thin veneer masonry products headquartered in Navarre, Ohio. Juxtapose structured architecture with natural outdoor elements to create a luxurious environment.
11. Create a focal point
Etch Design Group knows that a firepit is one way to draw attention to an outdoor patio.
Photo: Cate Black
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“It’s a good idea to create a focal point in covered patio spaces,” McKay recommends. “Often a firepit for a casual space, or a fireplace for a more formal space, will do the trick nicely.
” To give the patio space even more purpose, tie in interior design elements like a vibrant rug that echoes the focal point, as seen in this project by Stephanie Lindsey, principal interior designer for Etch Design Group in Austin.
12. Make it an alfresco dining spot
This backyard patio’s outdoor open kitchen and dining space is extra cozy and good for lounging thanks to the canopy of green leaves overhead.
Photo: brizmaker
“A pergola is a tried and true solution for outdoor dining area,” says Mark Cutler, cofounder of CutlersShulze in Los Angeles. Take advantage of the structure for light fixtures, or even some string lights, to further enhance the seating area.
13. Go for a domed ceiling
The arch on the Cathy Purple Cherry patio ceiling adds flair and a sense of personality.
Photo: Durston Saylor
When designing a covered patio, don't forget to design the ceiling. “It's a great way to introduce texture and warmth to an otherwise simple design,” Cutler says.
Opt for wood or even brick to play with patterns.
14. Transform an existing space into a covered patio
Think of a covered patio as another living space, one that caters to the outdoors.
Photo: Andreas von Einsiedel
A patio doesn't have to be just in front of a house. “The past years of quarantine inspired many to ask more from their yards,” explains Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen, a custom landscape design service. “Suddenly, side yards, front yards, and even driveways became fair game for gathering spaces,” he says of gazebo-like structures and outdoor dining areas. Take advantage of design elements like an exposed-beam ceiling, especially if you’re interested in adding ambient string lights.
15. Consider a prefab cover
Sometimes the best patio cover ideas are also the simplest, and this sleek black prefab cover certainly demonstrates that.
Photo: Morse Landscapes for Yardzen
“Prefab options abound to suit any design, ramping up embellishing details for traditional styles and eschewing them altogether for modern ones,” Lenhart says.
Beyond their obvious function– creating breezy, shade-dappled outdoor spaces–pergolas are pieces of infrastructure. “Use them to mount heaters, ceiling fans, shade sails, wind screens, lights, or even televisions,” he suggests. With a solid roof provided by a freestanding prefab cover, you can quickly create an outdoor space that can be enjoyed rain or shine—no remodel needed.
16. Invite nature
A wooden structure wrapped in vines connects nature to the home, even if it is a modern patio.
Photo: Astronaut Images
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Lenhart says you should let vines grow up the posts and slats of patio covers. “Let them imply a distinct space while preserving wide open edges and free-flowing circulation,” he says. You can easily tie in your garden design with your modern patio to make a smooth transition between an outdoor living space and nature.
17. Think Scandinavian
For a modern patio that still embraces traditional silhouettes, look no further than Scandinavian design, as seen in this prefab cabin by Neo Hytter.
Photo: Sofie Brovold
Scandinavian ‘hytte’ or cabins often incorporate square patios at their corners, open on two sides but covered for dining alfresco, protected from rain and wind, says Nina Edwards Anker, founder of Nea studio in Brooklyn, New York. “Usually the floors are wooden and raised above ground level,” she says.
18. Use the covered patio as a cabana
A wooden terrace adjacent to the house and flanked by billowy curtains works as a cabana.
Photo: dzika_mrowka
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Expand the existing outdoor patio space by adding a wooden pergola coupled with a daybed or a sectional that can work as a cabana suited for lounging. Adding breezy curtains around gives it a Mediterranean feel that is accentuated if you add greenery to the space.
19. Bring in classical elements
Architect Cathy Purple Cherry embraced classical columns to give this patio a regal yet inviting vibe.
Photo: Durston Saylor
Play up the home’s architecture when decorating an outdoor patio. If the house already has traditional elements like columns, use the design element as a backdrop. Adding a long table not only creates a dining area that’s available rain or shine, it gives a nod to a Mediterranean lifestyle.
20. Add stone to the patio ceiling
Designer Cindy Rinfret gave the Mediterranean terrace a lounging vibe with wrought iron chairs, and pavers on an arched ceiling further enhanced the classic look.
Photo: Costas Picadas
A vaulted patio ceiling complements classic-styled pendant light fixtures and gives the outdoor space a sophisticated set up.
21. Weave in woven shades
Use woven wood shades, such as those made from bamboo material, to merge nature with a nurturing outdoor environment and balcony dining.
Martin Barraud
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If you’re looking for a shady solution that will still allow for a breeze and a tad bit of sunlight, woven wood shades will allow for just that.
They’re also a good option if you like the idea of a fabric cover but want to maintain a natural look in your outdoor space.
22. Canopy with wisteria
Nothing says luxury like a canopy of green, allowing just enough cover for shade but still open to plenty of natural light.
Photo: Astronaut Images
Take advantage of greenery as a patio cover, especially if it’s something as beloved as wisteria. The flora contacts nicely against stained louvered patio doors and a black-and-white color scheme.
23. Stylish slats
Lighten up the patio with louvered-like slats.
Photo: Mike Watson
Embrace adjacent spaces for a covered patio in a side yard. A checkered concrete patio paired with a slats on a trellis adds an unexpected design twist and plenty of cooling shade.
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Read More20 Best Patio Cover Ideas
Tamsin Johnson Interiors
Whether you like to read, enjoy a cocktail, or doze off by the pool, a shaded patio can make your backyard experience much more pleasant.
Covering the patio or deck will protect your space from the elements and keep things cool so you can hang out there for as long as you want. Not only do patio covers create shade, but they also offer a design opportunity overhead, like florals, lighting, and more. Discover these 20 stylish patio cover ideas that will keep your backyard cool all summer, and extend your patio hangs well into the cooler months.
1
Set Up an Awning
Jennifer Skinner
Shade your patio vis-a-vis fabric, which adds pattern, texture, and drama. Mark Sikes opted for a fun blue and white striped cabana here.
2
Top With an Enclosed Skylight
Tamsin Johnson
This enclosed patio designed by Tamsin Johnson feels like a cross between a chic living room and a jungle-inspired greenhouse. The ceiling fan keeps the air circulating and the skylight allows for light filtration—while also protecting the space from the elements.
3
Install Galvanized Steel Panels
AP Design House
AP Design House weatherproofed this patio by adding Bermuda shutters and laying galvanized steel corrugated panels overhead. Do the same to your patio so you can enjoy your outdoor space rain or shine.
4
Plant Wisteria
House Beautiful
The only thing more heavenly than this cottage's pool is the wisteria growing over the pergola. Shading a table and bistro chairs, a vine-covered breezeway provides the perfect place to dine al fresco
5
Buy Partially Shaded Furniture
LAURE JOLIET
If you have a smaller backyard space or don't want to build anything permanent, you can still reap the benefits of a covered patio with furniture (like a daybed) that features a built-in pergola.
We're digging the chocolate brown cushions contrasting with the bright orange citrus tree in a backyard by Reath Design.
6
Optimize It for Every Season
Thomas Loof
Caroline Rafferty decked out a small bar prep zone (conveniently located right by the cabana) in saturated colors and stripes, then optimized the space with a ceiling fan and hidden remote-controlled hurricane shutters for the off-season.
7
Trellised Gazebo
Erin Kunkel
If you want to carve out a space that feels truly transportive, opt for a trellised gazebo. This one from April Powers doubles as a post-swim hang. The crawling vines, sheers, and camouflaging paint color allow the gazebo to blend right in with the garden, while the bench and coffee table ensure everything you need is within arm’s reach.
8
Blend Indoor and Outdoor Areas
Ken Fulk
With a Baja shelf in the pool, a nearby semi-covered dining area, and an indoor-outdoor home bar, this backyard designed by Ken Fulk is the perfect place indoor/outdoor place to unwind and entertain.
9
Construct a Pavillion
William Abranowicz
A round opening in the roof offers a glimpse of the sky from the comfortable daybed in the pavilion of this Florida home. A pavilion is the perfect solution for open and airy living, while providing the added comfort of shade.
10
Build a Pergola
Amir Khandwala
One of the most popular types of patio and deck coverings is a pergola because of the partial shade/sun combo it provides. This patio by Aamir Khandwala is covered with a white one that complements the deck for a modern approach that pops against the green landscape.
11
Customize a Pagoda
House Beautiful
Landscape designer Jay Griffith’s standalone pagoda is a grown-up version of a treehouse hideaway.
The floor cushions enhance the sense of intimacy while the curtains provide extra privacy.
12
Add Extra Protection
Pernille Loof
With a restaurant-worthy outdoor kitchen, The roof of this Brooklyn brownstone by designer Laurie Blumenfeld-Russo is a multi-season entertainment oasis thanks to the pergola, which has an extra layer of protection from the tarp.
13
Pop Open an Umbrella
Tamsin Johnson Interiors
If you can't build a more permanent patio cover, opt for an umbrella over the most high-traffic area. On this patio by Tamsin Johnson Interiors, a simple blue and white umbrella with retro flair pairs perfectly with the whimsical aesthetic, from the striped lounge chairs to the side table.
14
Stretch a Tarp
Fantastic Frank
You can still create a patio cover without spending a ton and renovating.
Instead of creating a more permanent overhead structure, secure outdoor fabric or a tarp to corner pillars. Visually, the effect is romantic and easy-going.
15
Make Use of Trees
JESSIE PREZA
The best patio cover? Shade from a canopy of trees. This may sound simple, but the right landscaping really does go a long way. In Jacksonville, Florida-based designer Fitz Pullins's backyard, a majestic and mossy tree shades the dining area.
16
Hang Curtains Around a Pergola
Jenn Feldman Design
Interior designer Jenn Feldman secured curtains to this pergola to bring a sense of fullness and dimension, as well as add more privacy and protection from the elements. The white paint keeps the space looking open and bright.
17
Split Between a Shingle Roof and a Pergola
ROMULO FIALDINI
Designer Maria Augusta Luoro of Guta Louro Designs brought her neglected childhood home back to its former glory, and the backyard is no exception.
This alfresco patio area features a covered grill and wet bar to allow for outdoor dining without the fuss of all the plumbing upgrades required for a full kitchen. Just take note that a pergola needs something solid to stand on, hence the patio, and the partial kitchen actually has a more solid roof structure.
18
Add a Straw Roof
Nicole Franzen
An outdoor clubhouse with a straw roof over the patio like this one will make your backyard feel like a luxury resort in some far-away tropical destination. Look into your regional climate to see what materials will hold up best first though.
19
Top with a Slatted Roof
House Beautiful
In a Key West house, the outdoor kitchen cabinets are made from old cypress shutters and the tropical florals bring a bright pop of playful color. The sloped slat roof allows light to filter through.
20
Take Advantage of a Balcony
Regan Baker Design
This backyard patio by Regan Baker Design is the perfect private spot to unwind. To make it conducive for relaxing and conversation, the designer placed large outdoor floor cushions next to the swing for additional seating. The balcony overhead also provides a cover to shade the patio.
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
Beautiful small terraces to the house - 135 best photos, terrace design in a private house and cottage
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TEAM Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder: 41 Degrees North Construction, Inc. Landscape Architect: Wild Violets (Landscape and Garden Design on Martha's Vineyard) Photographer: Sean Litchfield Photography
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Angus Mackenzie Architect
Fresh design idea: a small terrace in the backyard, on the ground floor in a modern style with a partition for privacy without sun protection - great interior photo
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IBIS Construction
Small back yard with reclaimed brick wall and composite decking
Original design example: small neoclassical courtyard terrace (modern classic)
private house, 450 sq.
m.
Nata Novikova
Written by N. Novikova (Petelina), photo by S. Morgunov
Pictured: small modern style terrace with terracotta floor, standard fireplace, standard ceiling and brown floor
Sophisticated Mid-City Residence
Urban Oasis Landscape Design
A Trex deck was on the top of their list for the backyard with a decorative screen on the sides of the pergola for privacy. Asymmetrical steps up to the deck add a little playfulness to the deck which despite its generous size, doesn't overwhelm the small yard. A constrained color palette of black, white and gray in the hardscape give the landscape a crisp and sophisticated appearance but the colorful drought-tolerant plant palette softens the look
Stair Lighting
DEKOR Lighting
This outdoor LED recessed stair light kit allows exterior steps and stairs to be illuminated for both safety and ambiance.
Perfect for decks, docks, patios, and embedding in concrete walkways or steps. The lights have a 30° light angle and become directional simply by turning the housing. Turn them upside down for soffit or under-deck lighting.
Parkway Perfection
KOR Interior Design
Delightful 1930's home on the parkway needed a major kitchen remodel which lead to expanding the sunroom and opening them up to each other. Above a master bedroom and bath were added to make this home live larger than it's square footage would bely.
Easy Breezy
SV Design
The layout of this colonial-style house lacked the open, coastal feel the homeowners wanted for their summer retreat. Siemasko + Verbridge worked with the homeowners to understand their goals and priorities: gourmet kitchen; open first floor with casual, connected lounging and entertaining spaces; an out-of-the-way area for laundry and a powder room; a home office; and overall, give the home a lighter and more “airy” feel.
SV's design team reprogrammed the first floor to successfully achieve these goals. SV relocated the kitchen to what had been an underutilized family room and moved the dining room to the location of the existing kitchen. This shift allowed for better alignment with the existing living spaces and improved flow through the rooms. The existing powder room and laundry closet, which opened directly into the dining room, were moved and are now tucked in a lower traffic area that connects the garage entrance to the kitchen. A new entry closet and home office were incorporated into the front of the house to define a well-proportioned entry space with a view of the new kitchen. By making use of the existing cathedral ceilings, adding windows in key locations, removing very few walls, and introducing a lighter color palette with contemporary materials, this summer cottage now exudes the light and airiness this home was meant to have. © Dan Cutrona Photography
Detailed Landscape
Detailed Landscape
Fresh design idea: a small modern style backyard terrace without sun protection - great interior photo
Our Work
Hardwall Outdoor Living
small neoclassical (modern classic) backyard terrace without sun protection
Connecticut Kitchen Renovation + Sun Room Addition
Baker Batchelder Architects
One small skylight brightens the sun room on the grayest of days.
The radiator is covered with custom wooden grills.
Stylish design: small neoclassical (modern classic) terrace with medium-toned parquet floor and standard ceiling - the latest trend a common thing, we still have an exotic one. Getting permission to develop the roof of an old house is almost impossible. There is only one way out - to buy an apartment in a new building, where the possibility of using the roof is provided initially.
This three-story townhouse in North West London has a rooftop view of the city skyline. Armchairs and tables, Salsa collection, John Lewis & Partners.
- Photo
- Rebecca Reid
WOODEN DECKING
Neither soft pine nor even relatively hard oak will last long outdoors. In order for the wooden flooring on the terrace to serve for several decades, the wood must have a high density, high oiliness and a special structure of the fibers.
Only tree species growing on the equator can boast of such qualities.
AWNINGS AND CANOPIES
An awning can help protect an open area from rain and sun - stationary or mobile. For example, an awning or just a piece of tarpaulin attached to vertical supports. Don't forget about the existence of umbrellas from the sun!
LIGHTING
It is better to think about the placement of lamps at the stage of landscape design, otherwise the garden will have to be thoroughly dug up. But there is an alternative, painless for flower beds and lawns: solar-powered lanterns, their batteries last for 10-16 hours.
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TEAK DECKING
In English, both ship decks and garden terraces use the same word - deck. And all because they are equally often made of teak, capable of withstanding the most aggressive environment. Teak flooring will last half a century, provided the tree is at least 150 years old. Now such material is rare. The most common tick is only 30 to 40 years old. It does not have time to acquire its valuable properties and does not differ in special durability. So be vigilant!
- Photo
- Andreas von Einsiedel.
RARE WOOD
We look up to the powers that be! The terrace of Brezhnev's hunting lodge in Zavidovo was made of iroko, and at Stalin's Yalta dacha, of makore, the same material was used for the open decks in Strelna, where Putin's residence is located. These breeds, as well as paduk, bilinga and sapele, are a reasonable alternative to teak.
TEAK FURNITURE
Teak can be used not only for flooring, but also for furniture. Thanks to this uniformity, even a small terrace will look more spacious. And then, teak is made of those materials that do not burn in fire and do not sink in water: it is not afraid of dampness and ignites much worse than any other species. True, for the winter it is still better to bring such furniture into the house.
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ROOF GARDEN
Land prices have skyrocketed.
It is not surprising that gardens are also striving skyward - more and more often they are broken right on the roofs. The main thing in this business is an accurate calculation (especially if you are going to arrange a pool on the roof). Forget about amateur performances and turn to specialists!
Designer Anna Zvezdina's garden in Moscow.
SAVE YOUR TREES!
To equip a terrace on the site, it is not at all necessary to cut down the trees growing there. They are easy to "fit" into the interior of an open-air room; for this, the plants will give you their shadow. As for the wooden flooring, if desired, it can play the role of furniture.
A leafy porch in a house on Long Island.
FIGHTING DAMP
The worst enemy of a wooden deck is dampness. Even structures with a canopy suffer from it, as they are flooded with oblique streams of rain. To protect wooden flooring from moisture, it is raised above the level of the soil or roof, as in this case (this provides ventilation), and the boards are chamfered and laid not end-to-end, but with a small (6-10 mm) indent.
CONCRETE FURNITURE
Cast concrete or brick-built furniture is an excellent choice for terraces and balconies. She will survive any frost. Mosaic, tile or broken tile mosaic can be used for decoration, and mattresses and soft pillows made of outdoor, waterproof fabric will help “soften” the feeling of using such furniture.
TERRACE: OPEN OR CLOSED?
If the house has a flat roof, you don't have to choose between an open and closed terrace. It will be possible to take sunbaths at the top, and the lower platform will become a wonderful refuge from the heat. Don't forget rocking chairs - they are especially nice to lounge in.
It makes no sense to put a terrace on the shady side - in our area the sun is not the most frequent visitor, so why hide from it? And then, where there is shade, there is dampness, and where there is dampness, there are mosquitoes.
PAINTED WALLS
An ordinary country house can be radically transformed by painting its walls with paint of an unexpected color.
For example, in pink-purple: this range is uncharacteristic for our latitudes, and therefore gives the terrace an exotic flavor.
House in St. Petersburg. Project by Aida Beglova.
- Photo
- Sergey Pozdeev STYLE: Ekaterina Pozdeeva
TERRACE ON THE HILL
If the land has uneven terrain, it is best to place the house on a hill, and raise the terrace like a bridge, like a bridge. This option will allow you to perfectly fit the building into the landscape.
SURFACE FLOORS
The poured concrete floor, so popular today in the interior, is also suitable for the exterior. Just keep in mind that life in the open air places increased demands on it: so that the surface does not crack, every 2 - 3 square meters. m it is necessary to make temperature seams. They are filled with concrete mix after hardening of the main coating.
BLUE+WHITE
White + blue or white + blue is the perfect color scheme for the terrace. It reminds of the sea, cloudless sky and snow-white houses of Santorini. Having decorated the terrace in this color, you will always feel at the resort.
Mediterranean style terrace with blue and white tiles.
HEDGE
To combat the wind along the perimeter of an open area, you can: plant a hedge, put up trellises covered with ivy or wild grapes, or arrange tall tubs with plants. The third option is popular in hot countries, but in our country it is only suitable for owners of a winter garden - tubs must be hidden somewhere in the cold season.
I CAN SEE THROUGH!
An elevated terrace is an excellent vantage point. One problem: the necessary fencing in this case can spoil your whole view. There is only one way out - to surround the site with screens made of transparent plastic or triplex. And conclude a long-term contract with glass cleaners, because such a fence will require regular maintenance.
OUTDOOR FIREPLACES AND HEARTHS
Extend the outdoor season with gas lanterns, outdoor fireplaces and barbecue stoves. The latter not only warm, but also feed. In addition, the smoke repels mosquitoes. The outdoor hearth can be made to order, built with your own hands, but the easiest way is to pick up a finished model in a store.
BBQ AREA
Outdoor terrace can be located not only near the house, but also at a distance. It is best to arrange it on a hill - in order to comfortably view the surroundings. For a site with a pronounced relief, a multi-tiered platform is suitable - it will help to beat the features of the landscape.
STONE FLOOR
The terrace can be paved with stone (natural or artificial) or clinker bricks. To make the coating last longer, the slabs are laid on a drainage cushion: a layer of gravel about 30 cm thick is poured, and on top of it is a 10-cm layer of fine gravel.
- Photo
- Yorgos Kordakis
SUMMER KITCHEN
It is convenient when the terrace of the house adjoins the kitchen, because you will probably use it as an outdoor dining room.
