A Designer Patio: Ideas for Living Luxuriously
The perfect complement for a high-end home is a similarly high-end patio. What defines luxury for you? That’s the first thing to consider when designing the perfect outdoor space. Fortunately, there are many examples of some incredible spaces. Take inspiration from them, and narrow your vision to the elements and features that will make you feel like you’re in the lap of luxury in the great outdoors. In this article, we’ll go over the design choices and materials that make a designer patio so you and your family can live your outdoor lifestyle in luxury.
1. Include a Dramatic Focal Point
Image Source: Techo-Bloc
One of the most important strategies for creating an exceptional outdoor living space is to include a dramatic and memorable focal point. This attention-grabber also says, “I took the time to make this space extraordinary.” You can use a specific landscape feature such as an interesting tree or a series of sight lines. In this example, the are are two major focal points: a large mirror that creates the illusion of an opening in the wall, and the striking paver pattern that uses several shapes and colors. The mirror adds interest even at night, when it reflects landscape lighting. The stunning geometric design of these pavers from Techo-bloc keeps the eye happily engaged in the space. The dynamic yet uncluttered look is enhanced by monochromatic plantings that frame the entire lounge area. It’s a creative and modern design that works well in both small and large outdoor living spaces.
2. Different Materials for Different Activity Zones
Image Source: Techo-Bloc
This incredible patio is texturally rich while keeping colors relatively neutral. The glassy water of the infinity pool, the smooth pavers on the pool deck, the large format pavers separated by loose stone in the fire pit area, the liberal use of natural boulders, the rustic wooden benches, and the sleek metal fire pit give the space a feeling somewhere between a zen garden and a luxury retreat.
Don’t be afraid to change up materials between each space, but keep the color palette similar to create a sense of unity. Notice how the paving surface texture changes dramatically while the color scheme remains the same. It becomes a rustic texture with exposed gravel between larger blocks around the fire pit while the space around the pool appears much more sophisticated. The spaces are separate, but as a whole, this design works incredibly well.
3. Simple is Elegant, not Boring
Image Source: Techo-Bloc
When you want a space to feel grand and luxurious, you’ll want to err on the side of minimalism. A simple design will go a long way in creating a designer patio if you opt for high-quality, high-impact materials that turn heads. The real hero of the design we see here is the glorious textures provided by these large modern patio pavers from Techno-Bloc that feature a subtle wavy pattern. The furniture is low-key and modern, yet spaced far enough apart that the patio feels expansive and built for quality entertainment. It’s a great example of minimalist design that creates a welcoming feeling, especially when the entire space is bordered by a large open grassy area where the kids can play while the adults chat and enjoy good conversation.
4. Use a Specific Activity as a Focal Point
Image Source: Belgard
If you’re having trouble coming up with the right focal point for your outdoor living space, consider an activity. This stunning patio puts one of life’s great pleasures — sitting around the fire pit — on a pedestal to highlight its importance. Gathering around a fire has been a cornerstone of human civilization for many thousands of years and it’s just as important in a high-end outdoor entertaining space as at a rustic campground. Just one step up, a dramatic circular ensign, and a beautiful retaining wall say, “This is the place to be.” The beautiful pavers and wall blocks from Belgard provide the foundation and the backdrop for what really matters: spending time with friends and family around the warmth and light of a fire. The geometry of the space draws the eye from the outer edge of the patio space into the very center of the fire pit, where every guest will be enticed to gather by the flickering flames.
5. Strong and Bold Visuals
Image Source: Unilock
The strong and bold visuals of beautiful masonry design make no apologies; they say, “Look at me” in a dramatic way. And yet, the different shades of beautiful neutral colors create visual textures that make the scene pop. Each one of the masonry structures represents a strong statement for outdoor living, exemplified by the modern fire table and the adjacent outdoor kitchen. The gorgeous pavers and blocks from Unilock bounce off each other and the eye is drawn to the complementary natural stone of the kitchen counter and the top of the fire table. This outdoor living space exudes high-end luxury in a compact space.
6. Build Creative Barriers Between Spaces
Image Source: Techo-Bloc
Instead of one huge patio, which can look like a boring slab, consider creating outdoor “rooms”: or specific spaces for specific activities. To keep the entire patio area unified yet make it clear that each area has its own presence, make use of creative ideas for barriers. Of course, the most classic barrier is a sitting wall, which has a wealth of wonderful uses for an outdoor living space. In this photo, we see a sitting wall that surrounds the fire pit on two sides, simultaneously offering a place to sit as well as separating the fire pit area from the other parts of the patio. The wall pays tribute to both patio surfaces. Other barriers can include plantings such as trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and grassy areas. Note, too, that different materials were used to further define the character of each outdoor “room.”
7. Use the Same Material in Different Ways
Image Source: Techo-Bloc
When you come across a gorgeous paver that you can’t wait to use, there’s no rule that says the laying pattern has to be the same throughout. In fact, you’ll want to find different ways to use the paver throughout your outdoor living spaces. As you can see in this backyard, the same beautiful large format pavers from Techo-bloc are used for different purposes. The elegant gray pavers call attention to their minimalist and abstract beauty, but have a different feel depending on their placement and design. In the patio setting, the large pavers create an elegant surface that shines in the early morning and evening sunlight. When used as a walkway around the house, the sheer size of each paver is highlighted through sparse spacing and similarly-colored gravel. This continues the basic edge-to-edge laying pattern, but in a lighter, more airy feel that designates this as a transitional space. It’s a subtle and very effective method to make the space feel high-end and luxurious.
8. Create Continuity Through Masonry
Image Source: Unilock
A great way to make a singular outdoor living space feel massive is by “flattening” the view by using a single paver type in the entire patio. We see in this example that the patio seems to stretch into the distance. Of course, this patio has a large area to work with, but the field of view is extended by the continuous masonry detail represented by fantastic patio pavers from Unilock. Though this huge patio is almost entirely one paver type, it is tastefully accented by a border of contrasting dark pavers. Most importantly, the patio doesn’t look boring since it takes advantage of different size pavers to make a puzzle-like pattern.
9. Embrace the View by Drawing the Eye Outwards
Image Source: Techo-Bloc
When you’ve got an incredible view to work with, it needs to be a priority in all aspects of your landscape design. This creates a harmonious awe-inspiring feeling that the backyard is simply part of the entire horizon. Look at how the most minute details in these pavers from Techo-bloc seem to work and weave themselves in a mesmerizing way that echoes the passage of clouds across the sky. The reflective stone fountain seems to disappear into the pool, which in turn reflects the sky on the far horizon. The eye is naturally drawn from the pavers of the patio to the tips of the clouds in the distance; had these pavers been oriented in the direction that the eye travels, it would be a completely different experience: in this case, orienting them perpendicular to the view helps slow the eye and gives importance to the patio.
10. Build Intimacy with Modern Materials
Image Source: Renson Outdoors
There’s a lot to be said about the way that modern hardscape materials can revolutionize an outdoor lifestyle, even if some people think of modern materials as cold and impersonal. However, modern materials can also be used to create intimate living spaces. This stunning modern pergola and outdoor fireplace combination by the pool is a relatively compact space, yet it takes full advantage of contemporary architecture that makes the space feel more spacious than it is. The aluminum pergola from Renson Outdoors is outfitted with ceiling LED lights to make an outdoor “room” that’s exactly where your friends and family will want to be whenever the weather allows.
Today’s luxury focuses on sleek design, not the gilded opulence of yesteryear. A variety of materials, sizes, laying patterns, colors, and textures can be used in stunning ways to create exceptionally beautiful and functional spaces. Which one is your favorite?