36 Patio Cover Ideas That Make Outdoor Living a Breeze
Photo: Durston Saylor
A dreamy patio setup expands the functional footprint of your house by making an area akin to an outdoor living room. Work the appropriate patio cover ideas into your design scheme and that alfresco space becomes a weather-resistant oasis. “Shade covers can provide protection from the hot afternoon sun or visually divide a patio into ‘rooms,’ but keep in mind that they may affect how you plan for patio size,” explains Annie Thornton, outdoor design expert at Houzz. For those working with tighter patio spaces, options like movable umbrellas don’t take up much floor space compared to the shade they provide. “If you’d like to add a pergola or mounts for shade sails, you may need to budget more patio space to accommodate the posts or expand the shade structure’s size,” Thornton says.
Whether you’re aiming to spend quiet time in the shade or entertain family and friends with an outdoor dining oasis in a covered seating area, enjoy the beauty of your backyard from the comfort of your sheltered deck with our guide to patio cover ideas—complete with advice from experts on how to fashion the setup of your dreams.
What can I use to cover up my patio?
There are various materials you can use to cover your patio, ranging from airier, more organic options such as outdoor fabrics, shade sails, and wood pergolas all the way to the more heavy-duty choices like aluminum and steel structures. You can also opt for awnings, canopies, retractable covers, or 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. “Patio covers also provide structure for fragrant vines that add a layer of beauty,” Scharff explains, noting that wisteria, roses, jasmine, and stephanotis are among her favorites.
1. Add a pergola with interesting lighting
“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. Festoon with outdoor fabric
Depending on your yard, the idea of a pergola over your patio might feel structurally heavy. Christopher Grubb, an interior designer and founder of Beverly Hills’s Arch-Interiors Design Group, says the option can still work, especially when tented in an airy outdoor fabric.
“Outdoor fabric over the top softens it, tieback 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
“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
Wide shot of a lounge on the beach, wooden details
“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 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 multilevel patio
“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. Tap into timber
“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 poolhouse
Swimming pool and canopy in backyard
“Poolhouses 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. Create the ultimate outdoor entertaining space
“The interior ceiling was finished off with drywall to give the entire space that outdoor-room feel,” says Kami Schaffner, principal designer and GC at Collective Design + Build. She explains that wicker pendants were chosen to accent the dining table and provide some ambient lighting to the backyard patio space. “The client also wanted to be able to use the space to barbecue and cook for their guests, so we added a grill, a griddle, and a panini press.” Schaffner also provided additional bar top seating on the right side of the space. “The center focal point in the outdoor area is the fireplace that has the interior lined with a firesafe painted tile.”
10. Craft an ode to nature
Laurence Beysecker, creative director at the Lisbon-based Maison Amarande, was moved to craft this abode’s outdoor setup as a love letter to its picturesque surrounding landscape—particularly the lush olive groves nearby. “Nestled between the gorgeous Serra de Santo António in Alcaena, Portugal, and beautiful olive trees, this project is an ode to nature,” Beysecker says. Her team was charged with creating a wholesome, elegant, and cozy outdoor entertaining space–including a covered patio area—for a Belgian-Portuguese couple who split their lives between the city and the Portuguese countryside.
“Natural materials and a toned-down color palette are the protagonists in the exterior (and interior) designs, along with a sophisticated selection of Portuguese and international design, lighting, and ceramic brands,” Beysecker says. From the deep green mosaics of the swimming pool to the patio’s wood and stone natural materials, she feels that the rich color palette helps create a peaceful dialogue between the exterior and interior spaces.
11. Use a motorized pergola
“This space features a large motorized louvered pergola to cover a portion of [it], which essentially turned this part of the patio into an outdoor room,” says Paul Mahony, senior partner at KGA Studio Architects. It’s a great solution for homeowners looking for a little flexibility in their patio arrangements; Mahony explains that this type of pergola is a versatile option that allows homeowners to bathe in the morning sun while still offering protection from the afternoon rain showers typical of spots like Colorado. “Opening the slats allows you to enjoy the sun, and with the push of a button the slats close to create a waterproof cover for your patio.”
12. Incorporate anodized aluminum
A patio cover setup is best when it doesn’t create too much more work for you. “They’re made of anodized aluminum, so they’re essentially maintenance-free,” Mahony adds, explaining that there’s an option to add lighting and a fan, and the drainage is integrated into the system. “We worked with the manufacturer to customize the size and leg options to integrate into the home’s existing design for a solution that is autonomous yet integrated.” Mahony also notes that a multifunctional pergola can double the gathering space while also subtly enhancing the architectural details of the space, offering a contemporary feel.
13. Stick with a simple, affordable pergola
Pergolas don’t have to be pricey. “A simple pergola like this one is easy to add to any existing patio as a way to provide durable shade over a wide area,” says Rafi Friedman, CEO at Coastal Luxury Outdoors. He notes that the structures are also easy to decorate with climbing plants or hanging canopies for even more shade cover. “These structures are durable, affordable, and relatively easy to build custom or from a kit.”
14. Provide year-round entertaining
In this luxe project, Friedman says the paver patio serves to unite the distinct areas. The canopy has a lightweight aluminum frame. “This space provides a good transition from indoor to outdoor and is usable essentially year-round.” He also notes that the screen porch keeps bugs out and cuts down on heat from the sun. In addition, the heaters make it comfortable even on cool days, and the ceiling fan provides needed air circulation.
15. Bring the indoors out
Notice the wood-paneled ceiling, wall hangings, full outdoor kitchen, and even a TV on the far wall here. With this full-coverage treatment, as opposed to a pergola, you can enjoy an even more swaddled feel while taking in the fresh air—and keep electronics safe and dry. “We used cherry wood to get that beautiful hue on the ceiling, and we sealed it with an oil finish after staining to help it withstand humidity,” Friedman explains.
16. Reconsider entrances
While traditionally located at the rear of a home, Jay Kallos, SVP of architecture for Ashton Woods, explains that these covered spaces are equally useful for accessing a side yard, making for unexpectedly intimate vignettes. According to Kallos, covered porches have become pivotal in the backyard design renaissance, seamlessly blending interior living spaces with the open air. “Sliding glass and accordion doors all but disappear, merging the comforts of home with the calm of your backyard.”
17. Think outside the box
Kallos encourages homeowners to consider a covered patio in less customary areas of their property. Particularly if square footage is no issue, it can be helpful to think about what your ideal outdoor setup might allow you to do before landing on exactly where it should go. “Whether you dream of a cozy nook for morning coffee or a sprawling summer outdoor kitchen for alfresco dining, envisioning these spaces early—even before the budget allows for a full build-out—ensures seamless integration into your yard’s layout,” Kallos explains. “Strategic planning allows for you to place a patio anywhere on your property, both enhancing outdoor living and looking beautiful from the interior of the house.”
18. Create a freestanding pergola
Pergolas don’t have to be attached to your house. “A freestanding pergola allows for four open sides and better airflow, [which is] not possible with an attached covered porch,” Kallos says. He recommends that folks start with a clear program outlining their household’s needs and desires for outdoor living. “Gather inspiration and design ideas from diverse sources—whether elegant Charleston gardens for small spaces or mountain retreats for locations where you have topography. [These] can all help you transform even modest spaces into expansive retreats.”
19. Experiment with materials and colors
“This minimalist structure supported by steel posts and topped with Douglas fir joists was created specifically to increase the footprint of the adjacent poolhouse,” says Kyle Dutton of the Houston-based Kyle Dutton Home & Design. “The main living room of the poolhouse acts as the anchor of the backyard and is fine-tuned for lounging and entertaining.” He notes that the pergola sits directly outside of the custom steel doors and is furnished with a living room set of furniture and decor, which “allows guests to experience the benefits of a family room by the pool.“ Another cozy detail? The gas fireplace.
20. Use nature as a backdrop
In this clean and minimalist design, Venice, California–based designer Kim Gordon creates an oasis against a verdant backdrop of trees and grass. She uses a palette with organic tones and materials to make it both an extension of its natural surroundings and an inviting space to relax. The hanging lights—which introduce a few subtle pops of color—make the space open for use day or night.
21. Create some separation
In this design, Grubb’s goal was to craft an all-encompassing outdoor paradise packed with different lifestyle zones. Patio covers were used to fashion distinct areas. “We created various ‘levels’ for the different elements, which helped to add visual definition for the various zones.” Since the project took place during COVID, the owner wanted an outdoor dining table that also served as a dreamy work-from-home setup during the lockdown. “A row of hedges helps to complete the quadrangle, outlining the entire outdoor expanse while also creating privacy,” Grubb adds.
22. Bring nature in with lattices
Rear of Renaissance grey stone and mortar castle style home with concrete patio and lattice covered wooden gazebo, Quebec, Canada
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.
23. Combine natural elements
Architecture building wooden exterior in garden
“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.
24. Create a focal point
“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.
25. Make it an alfresco dining spot
Dining room table and chairs on open kitchen
“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.
26. Go for a domed ceiling
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.
27. Transform an existing space into a covered patio
Indian beach house retreat, Goa
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.
28. Consider a prefab cover
“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.
29. Invite nature
Wooden walkway through garden to modern house
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.
30. Think Scandinavian
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.
31. Use the covered patio as a cabana
Chillout lounge on wooden terrace
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.
32. Bring in classical elements
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.
33. Add stone to the patio ceiling
A vaulted patio ceiling complements classic-styled pendant light fixtures and gives the outdoor space a sophisticated set up.
34. Weave in woven shades
View of mountains from luxury balcony
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.
35. Canopy with wisteria
Armchairs and sofa on luxury patio
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.
36. Stylish slats
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.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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