10 Patio Cover Ideas That Will Make You Want to Spend Every Second Outside
A covered patio can transform your outdoor space into an even more functional and beautiful place to spend time in.
Whether you enjoy your Outdoor Nook for a morning coffee or outdoor cinema sessions, a covered patio is a sound move for more privacy, shade and rain protection.
As with any major outdoor structure, you'll want to work with a professional, like an architect or landscape architect, to make sure your building complies with city codes and is engineered correctly.
As well as helping to protect your outdoor furniture, if we've got somewhere sheltered to retreat to, getting out in the fresh air is much more enticing, even in the colder or rainier months.
Electric Louvred Roof Pergola
(Image credit: Caribbean Blinds)
This award-winning louvred roof pergola offers an open-air alfresco feel when left fully open. However, if the weather takes a turn, the roof can be closed, offering a completely water-, wind- and even snow-tight cover
2. Aspen Ranch Style
(Image Credit: Rowland and Broughton)
Raising the roofline and adding higher windows to this mid-century ranch house in Aspen, Colorado, flooded the living spaces with natural light. Rowland and Broughton added a rooftop patio to the single-story home, along with a patio off the back of the house with white polished concrete flooring. Simply stunning.
3. Mid-Century Classic in LA
(Image Credit: Tocha Project)
The modern Rising Glen house in the Hollywood Hills by Tocha Project features a custom-designed deck. The patio cover's levelers (shades/blinds) are motorized and operated by elevator buttons located in the home's bar area. The clean lines just ooze cool.
4. Pergola for all Seasons
(Image Credit: (Image credit: Davide Lovati/Future)
This chic, adjustable pergola perfectly demonstrates how patio cover ideas can complete a scene. Connecting seamlessly sto the feature wall, it provides all the shelter. When combined with an outdoor fireplace, a cozy living room feel is created that will tempt everyone out of the house, no matter the weather. Would work perfectly for the Outdoor Nook in the Portland Stone material.
5. Stencilling to add character
(Image Credit: Royal Design Studio Stencils)
This Moroccan-inspired stencilled floor (design available from Royal Design Studio) elevates this simple pergola structure into something really special. With the addition of some hanging and potted plants, you are transported to a riad in Marrakesh.
6. The Indoor Comforts Outdoors
This built in patio features a TV, fire, lighting and fans. What more could you want?
7. The Mini Extension
(Image Credit: Garden House Design)
A louvered canopy, like the one shown above, is a versatile structure that can be attached to a house almost like a mini-extension or freestanding, and the blades are adjustable depending on how much coverage you want. It's not cheap, but it's cheaper than an extension and could help you build an outdoor room or outdoor kitchen.
8. Make the Patio part of your Extension
(Image credit: Focus)
For a covered patio area that feels like an outdoor room, build it out as part of your home extension. Having a solid structure in place is an investment, but almost always it will add value to your property, especially as it will give your the opportunity to include the likes of a chiminea fire pit, plush outdoor sofas (like the Outdoor Nook) and even an outdoor kitchen.
9. Farmhouse Modern
(Image Credit: Karyn Millet)
This outdoor entertaining area with a fireplace and lounge, as well as an outdoor dining area (designed by RailiCA design), is pretty much the stuff of dreams - can I move in please?
10. Go Green
(Image credit: John Lewis)
Get green with a canopy of lush green foliage. It will add a soothing touch to any outdoor dining space, whilst providing natural shelter from the midday sun. Use sturdy structures such as columns and pergolas to support your plants, then sit back and enjoy the leafy view.
If you're after a bit of extra pizzazz, you could learn how to grow wisteria around your pergola – its elegant trails of flowers make a beautiful backdrop to any gathering.
If you have any questions on how the Outdoor Nook will fit in with your garden design, please reach out to us and we would be more than happy to give advice and assist with any queries you may have.