21 Inspiring Patio Makeovers: Before & After Transformations
When you’re ready to give your outdoor area some attention, looking at how other people have tackled their patios is a smart move. These makeovers, all 21 of them, prove that even simple adjustments can turn a neglected spot into a place you’ll actually want to use, whether for guests or just for yourself.
Layer Greenery to Soften Poolside Hardscape
Near the pool area, place taller, fuller plants like hydrangeas in the foreground. They’re good for partially obscuring lower, manicured bushes.
Terracotta Pots Add Earthy Warmth to White Structures
Simple terracotta pots bring earthy warmth to a patio or porch when set against stark white structures. These classic containers offer a subtle contrast. Grouping them near doorways or windows also softens the edges of modern architecture, adding a natural element.
Repurposed Clawfoot Tub Becomes a Colorful Outdoor Oasis
A bright orange clawfoot tub, complete with a simple faucet, sits on a concrete pad. It’s a vintage piece repurposed for outdoor use.
Break Up Concrete with Pavers and Colorful Accents
Break up large expanses of concrete by using square concrete pavers bordered with brick. Small inlaid squares of blue and red tiles add contrasting colors and materials, bringing personality to your patio.
Layer Indigo and White Pillows for Cozy Seating
If your outdoor sectional feels too plain, layer pillows in various indigo and white patterns. Mix different sizes and styles, like lumbar and square shapes, to build depth.
Deck Railings That Frame Your Outdoor Living Space
If you’re looking to define your patio, deck railings can create a clear boundary. A simple railing system around the perimeter provides a subtle separation from the yard, but it doesn’t block the view.
Pergola Vines Add Natural Texture to a Shingled Home
Over your pergola, climbing plants like wisteria or ivy create a living canopy. It’s living greenery that softens the lines of a traditional shingled house.
Striped Umbrella Adds a Bold Graphic Anchor
A patio umbrella with a bold black and white stripe pattern anchors your outdoor seating area. Its graphic lines clearly define a specific dining or lounging zone. It’s a playful detail.
Brick Pillars with Planters Welcome Guests
Flank your entryway with brick pillars topped with square planters. These planters, filled with a mix of flowers and foliage, soften the architecture’s hard lines at eye level.
Lattice Pergola Creates a Defined Outdoor Room
If your outdoor dining area feels undefined, a wooden pergola with built-in lattice panels can frame the space. It’s also a structure where climbing plants can grow.
Gazebo Bar is an Outdoor Entertainment Hub
A wooden gazebo structure provides a complete outdoor entertainment hub. It features a built-in bar with seating and a grill area, offering a dedicated space for cooking, serving, and socializing on your patio.
Large Planters Soften Entryway Paving
On either side of an outdoor paved entry, substantial planters can lessen the harshness of hard surfaces. These textured pots, filled with many white flowers, offer a welcoming sight and direct the gaze toward the exterior gathering zone. This easy addition makes a significant impression on a home’s facade.
Ornate Metal Fencing Adds Decorative Flair to Poolside
Around the pool area, an ornate green metal fence clearly delineates the space. Its decorative scrollwork separates the pool from the lawn and patio.
Brick Steps Connect Multilevel Patio Areas
To connect different patio levels, brick-faced steps provide a clear transition from the lawn, defining the main seating area and marking distinct outdoor zones. It’s a functional detail.
Pool Covers Protect Your Outdoor Space
Install a solid pool cover over your swimming area. It comes in a deep green hue and keeps debris out.
Stone Fireplace Creates a Cozy Outdoor Living Room
On this covered patio, a substantial stone fireplace, with comfortable seating arranged around its hearth and defined by surrounding stone pillars and a roof, provides warmth and invites conversation well into cooler evenings. It’s a key feature.
Concrete Fire Pit Anchors Outdoor Seating
A substantial concrete fire pit works well in the center of an outdoor seating area. Its low, rectangular shape and stone-filled interior define the space. It’s especially good for providing warmth and conversation on a gravel patio.
Mix Terracotta Pots with Modern Planters
Group a variety of terracotta pots, in different sizes and shapes, around your existing modern planters for a layered look. The warm, earthy tones of the terracotta contrast with the clean lines and cool colors of contemporary concrete or metal containers.
Sunroom Arches Add Architectural Interest to the Exterior
When a house has a flat exterior wall, a sunroom with a series of arched openings can break up that surface. It’s an architectural detail that gives the home a classic look.
Brick Retaining Wall Offers Integrated Seating
A low, curved brick retaining wall sits at the lawn’s edge, creating a boundary. It’s also a spot to sit, blending into the landscape without needing extra furniture.
Stacked Stone Walls Define Multilevel Patio Zones
If your patio needs distinct zones, use stacked stone walls. The natural texture and varying heights of the stone define different levels, separating lounging areas from pathways.
