How To Create A Modern Patio Design (Designer Ideas)

Welcome to our gallery featuring modern patio ideas. Emanating elegance, grace, luxury, and sophistication, modern patio designs are pleasant and valuable additions to contemporary homes. Patios provide a comfortable way to enjoy outdoor living, allowing homeowners to enjoy personal time for relaxation or offer an opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family.

From an outdoor sanctuary where you can savor tranquility, or view decks where you can bask under the glorious stars at night – these are just some of the benefits a well designed patio can give you. Aside from boosting up the value of one’s home, it offers multiple purposes, serving as an extension of the home’s living and dining room spaces. If you are looking for inspiration to transform your patio into a relaxing urban oasis, then you have come to the right place. Below, we explore different modern patio ideas to help you build your very own personal outdoor sanctuary.

Modern Patio Design

An effective patio design prioritizes aesthetics as well as function, comfort, and convenience. The goal is to make this outdoor living space enjoyable and comfortable for you and your guests. Replicate the same feeling that you get from a day spent in the relaxing outdoors, whether it may be along the beach or a secluded mountain retreat. But how do you blend these factors with modern design sensibilities to create a stunning patio? We have come up with our very own “cheat sheet” for designing modern patios to help you take out that guesswork. We hope you get inspired as much as we did.

Here are some tips and guidelines for designing a modern patio:

Less is more. When it comes to modern design, less is always more. Modern patios go for a clean, refined and uncluttered look. Minimalism can be achieved by keeping things simple and basic. Also, keep embellishments to a minimum. If planning to go with a minimal amount of furniture,select a few functional pieces which can deliver a statement, like a single piece of sculpted concrete bench.

Bring the indoors outdoor. Design your patio in a way that you would design the inside of your home – a cozy place where you can relax and unwind after a long tiring day at work. Think of it as an extension of your living room, dining room or kitchen.

The way you furnish is no different from the interiors of your home, except for the fact that the finishes should be more adaptable to exposure to weather changes. Add interior comforts, like a coffee table where you can put your favorite book and a cup of coffee, or a few accent pillows which you can cuddle while relaxing.

Play with textures. Since modern ideas usually stick with monochromatic or neutral palettes, there is a tendency for it to appear dull or too boring. However, a mixture of textures ensures that interest runs high in your design. Create variations in terms of furniture, furnishings, flooring materials and finishes.

Learn to create contrast as it adds depth and dimension to the overall look. Combine a medley of soft and hard surfaces, smooth and rough finishes – like a textured concrete flooring with grass ground cover and gravel fillers. Polished surfaces like stainless steel outdoor kitchen counters, metal railings or high gloss ceramic tiles are also a basic component of the ultra-modern patio design.

Experiment with shapes. Modern design puts an emphasis on form and shapes. For minimalist styles, go with formal, streamlined surfaces, clean cut edges, straight angles and linear forms. For contemporary styles, you may try more organic shapes, like way patterns, semi circular forms or curved surfaces. You reflect this in your furniture pieces, your covering or your floor pattern layout.

Introduce an accent color. Add drama to modern designs by using one or two accent colors which can create visual contrast to your space. This instantly livens up subdued color palettes. Accent colors doesn’t always need to be vivid, bright or shocking.

If you do not want to commit to the intensity of fire red, lime green or Tuscan yellow, you can go for more muted tones like mustard or burgundy. Rich deep colors make eye catching contrasts too. For monochromatic color schemes, adjust the tone of your chosen hue into a darker shade – for example, charcoal gray throw pillows stand out in a cool gray arm chair.

Go eclectic. The modern style doesn’t always have to be plain looking. Sometimes you can tweak things up a bit and produce a stunning design composition. Learn to mix and match to keep the overall look of your modern patio from being too monotonous.

Combined rustic materials like a wood ceiling with refined surfaces like ceramic tile flooring. Also, there is a wide array of furniture choices which one can choose from. This may be a bit tricky to pull off as you have to know which type of surfaces do not clash with each other. Also, do not go overboard with your design.

Delineate spaces by changing the flooring material. Define the different areas of your modern patio by changing the flooring material or using a different floor pattern layout. This is highly suitable if your yard area is expansive.

It clearly separates the activities in your patio without having to construct partitions or use dividers.  A change in the flooring material does not only add an interesting visual component to your design but it is also functional.

For example, a grass lawn transitioning to an outdoor living area with a concrete flooring instantly breaks the stiffness of a hard surface. Separate your outdoor kitchen by using non slip stone tiles flooring and utilize concrete pavers for the walkways leading to your garden patio. Also, designate the appropriate type of flooring material for each area to avoid accidents, especially for patios near the pool.

Add a water feature. The calming background noise of flowing water keeps the ambiance of your modern patio serene and tranquil. If you want a place of retreat reminding you of an oasis, then this is the right accessory for you. Water features also work well as a stunning focal point for patios.

Take advantage of views. If your house is situated on a hillside, near the beach or on top of a building, take advantage of this breathtaking views for you and your guests to enjoy. Strategically place this outdoor structure in an area where you can get a full view of natural landscapes or urban settings, whether it may be the countryside, the city lights, or the turquoise blue water of the ocean.

Also, if your patio is exposed to a stunning picturesque view, allow your design to take a backseat to give room for the natural features to stand out.  Do not obstruct these views by using railings which are transparent like glass or fiberglass panels.

Design your patio as an all purpose retreat. A patio is a versatile outdoor living space where you can engage in both personal and group activities. Design it in a way where you can enjoy both. Nowadays, patios are becoming an integral part of the home because it is designed to accommodate more areas like the living area, dining area, lounging area, entertainment area and the outdoor kitchen.

An expansive luxury patio is usually furnished with an outdoor kitchen and a large dining area where guests and family members can enjoy a sumptuous meal. A relaxation corner can be added to this by setting up a piece of lounge chair giving the user a quiet spot to read a book or enjoy a cup of coffee.

In case of a limited space, maximize the area by using multipurpose furniture pieces. In that way you can still cater to a lot of activities without taking up much room.

Create trends. Trend setting and dynamic thinking are essential in designing a modern patio because it allows you to create a space that is one of a kind. There is no limit to design and infusing your personality into your patio makes it more suited to your taste and personalized. This is also especially important in statement making.

Use natural materials. Materials like wood and stone are well loved as patio finishing materials because of their natural beauty. They contribute an organic feel and a natural coziness, making them more inviting. Rustic tones and rough textures coming from stone flooring and fireplaces add warmth to the overall look of a patio.

Incorporate flowers and foliage. Plants and flowers are an integral part of patio design. They contribute variety in texture, shapes, size, colors and give contrast to different contours and finishes. They soften architectural components, introduce an organic feel and bring natural coziness to an outdoor living space. In designing a modern patio, go for finely sculpted foliage and opt for plant containers which have a clean defined profile and downplayed hues like gray, black or white.

To cover or not to cover. Decide whether you want to put a structure over your modern patio. Aside from being functional, patio covers are also ornamental. They provide shade from the sun, keeps you dry in the event of rain and also adds a decorative component to your design. Patio covers can range anywhere from a trellis, to a pergola, canopy or a gazebo.

For modern patios, choose structures which are streamlined and have an emphasis on form. Open metal structures have an industrial look which works perfect for monochromatic scenes, and they also give climbing plants and flowers a place to grow.

Create a main attraction. Add an interesting focal point to your modern patio by creating a main feature for your design, such as a fireplace, a statement piece of sculpture, or an accent chair. A towering stone fireplace, for example, directs the eyes towards the center of your patio and emphasizes height. Outdoor fireplaces are ideal places where family and friends can socialize and find warmth at night.

This modern patio gives a direct view of the main house’s indoor living area through the glass sliding doors. Its subdued color palette plays with cool and warm tones of gray, combined with clean beige hues and an accent of metallic silver. The clean lines of the three seater armed chairs and the square center table match the minimalist style of this outdoor living area. Decorative metal planters lend a strong accent without deviating from the formal color scheme. In this design, we also see how finely sculptured plants and foliage work as organic sculptures which instantly softens the rigid look of this space.

The modern patio in the picture above extends the indoor living area to the side of the pool, giving more room to enjoy intimate gatherings with family and friends. Massive light-colored ceramic tiles, used both for the indoor and outdoor spaces, give this house a uniform look and make the area appear bigger.

The seamless transition from indoors to outdoors produces a sleek surface that exudes modern elegance. Modern furniture mirrors the streamlined design of the ceiling and other architectural elements found in this outdoor living space. The light, neutral color palette brings a clean, sleek, and airy feel. Overall, this modern patio exudes contemporary sophistication.

Luxurious and emanating class and sophistication, this modern stone patio design illustrates resort living at its finest. This expansive patio also offers a lot of activities in terms of its layout. Homeowners can either enjoy watching a movie in front of the gazebo, or entertain a large group of guests while seated on elegant contemporary furniture surrounding the stone patio fire pit. Lounge chairs also provide for a place to rest after enjoying the pool. Beige color plank tiles give this outdoor living space a more expansive look and harmonize well with the neutral color scheme.

Enjoy cold nights huddling around a stone fire pit while sharing stories and dipping into the calming water of the swimming pool.  This modern patio extends to the pool and has an expansive floor space which allows the users to enjoy the full view of the backyard of this modern home. Modern metal furniture with sand-colored loose cushions complements the overall color scheme of the house’s exterior, producing a well-balanced, harmonious look. Interlocking brick flooring coincides with the space’s formality but also brings a subtle variation in texture and pattern.

This modern patio design has the ambiance of a contemporary Mediterranean oasis. From the indoor palm trees placed over a bed of white pebble stones to the cool bluish green upholstery of rustic Mediterranean-inspired metal chairs, this outdoor living area is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a breath of fresh air.

A stone accent wall adds an interesting visual element to this modern patio and brings a subtle contrast of texture to the smooth matte floor tiles. Three steps direct the user to the main house, where a contemporary wooden dining set greets you with a warm and inviting feel.

Verdant hedge walls cover the perimeter of this modern garden patio. Only minimal furniture and furnishings are used, and a single wooden bench serves as the main seating area for this outdoor relaxation corner. A modern streamlined stone fireplace serves as the main focal point with its warm rust color and towering height. Gray outdoor ceramic tiles arranged in a uniform pattern complete the overall minimalist design of this space.

The picture above showcases art in the form of a flagstone patio design. This round modern patio deviates from the conventional rectangular layout and living room set-up. Following a more graceful form, it uses a semicircle white concrete wall and round flagstone flooring with pea gravel fillers and grass ground covers. Its minimalist setup consists of a single bent wooden bench with matching circular motifs on the backrest and two white resin planters with a splash of purple flowers. An eye-catching metal sculpture is the centerpiece, attracting attention to this interesting work of art.

This luxurious modern balcony patio evokes a clean, sleek, airy feel with the use of a neutral monochromatic palette. Sophisticated contemporary wooden sectional sofas with white cushions serve as seating for entertaining small to large groups of people, or for lounging and enjoying some rest and relaxation. A matching wooden L shaped coffee table is placed at the center, giving room for a small indoor plant center piece.  Decorative stones pillars add an interesting visual component and brings a warm accent color to this space. This modern patio is also bordered with glass railings – a good way to enclose a space without obstructing the surrounding refreshing view of the ocean.

Modern Concrete Patios

Concrete is considered to be one of the most perfect finishing touches for a contemporary patio.  Although this material is traditional, it is versatile in terms of application and decoration. Some may consider it to be lacking in character because of its plain surface.

Though it may not be the most attractive among all finishing materials, concrete offers endless possibilities in terms of design  as it can be modified into a variety of curved forms, geometric shapes and sizes. In addition to that, it can be finished with a wide array of colors.

Concrete is a popular choice for modern patio flooring because it is functional and durable.It can survive the everyday wear tear of exposure to high traffic and harsh outdoor elements like extreme heat, rain or snow. For homeowners with a limited budget, this material is a practical cost effective solution and is fairly less inexpensive compared to tiles, flagstones or pavers. It is readily available in any local home improvement store.

In terms of installation, it is easy and quick to lay and can be a weekend DIY project. It is also non slip, making it an appropriate flooring material for poolside patios. However, there can be a few drawbacks to the use of concrete patio flooring. Discoloration and surface cracks can become visible after some time. To avoid the presence of these possible unsightly cracks, make sure to use the right type of concrete mix and lay it with care.

Concrete is also an ideal complement to modern patios because concrete flooring works well for seamless transitions. Its smooth, clean surface meets the simplicity and formality of minimalist styles. A simple concrete slab patio is perfect if you want to achieve a modern industrial feel for your outdoor living space. Textures may be added if you want to enhance its looks, while if you want to obtain some variation in texture, it can be mixed with other materials and finishes like stainless steel or wood.

Some characteristics of a modern concrete patio include:

• Linear and streamlined shapes and form

• Smooth and untextured surfaces

• Large pieces of tiles in a uniform pattern (example: checkerboard, ashlar pattern, herringbone, runner bond or parquet pattern) instead of irregularly cut shapes assembled in a random pattern

• Basic color scheme (example : monochromatic tones and shades of gray)

There are also several types of concrete flooring materials which you can choose from to build your modern concrete patio. Each displays a distinct texture which gives different characters to your outdoor living space.

These types are: a concrete slab or poured concrete, stained concrete, concrete pavers and stamped concrete. Poured concrete follows any form you desire and is ideal if you want a highly modified or customized patio flooring.

Stained concrete is simply new concrete that is added with colors. These colors may be added by mixing a pigment to the cement before pouring or by spreading dye over a slab surface.

Stamped concrete, on the other hand, is freshly poured concrete that is stamped with a pattern through the use of open or close molds. While concrete pavers are pre cut pieces of concrete used for exterior flooring. Among the four types, concrete pavers are considered to be the mainstay of patio building.

This patio design fuses the elegance of modern style with a hint of rustic country flair. A magnificent contemporary stacked stone fireplace towers along the wall of this modern patio serve as a focus of attention for this beautiful outdoor living area. Black rattan armchairs provide a strong element of color, while their clean design complements the streamlined horizontal wall panels.

A wooden center table with rustic centerpieces brings a touch of country charm, matching the decorative stone accents in the structural components of this area. The concrete flooring makes the area appear more expansive, while its gray color ties the whole color palette together.

This concrete raised patio extends the house’s living area to the outdoors. Two black woven rattan armchairs are set up on an elevated concrete flooring and are set against a background of large glass sliding doors. In this design we see how the modern style is depicted through the dominant presence of clean horizontal and vertical lines. This is reflected through the use of an accent wall of horizontal wood strips which match the frames of the glazing. The encompassing grass cover softens the structural form of this outdoor living space.

This modern patio leads to the expansive outdoor living area of the main house and gives a full view of the elegant indoor dining area. A man-made pond serves as an additional feature for this space while the surrounding plants and flowers introduce colors and textures

These elements soften the strong architectural elements of the house’s exterior and naturally complement decorative stone columns and walls. The combination of gravel and concrete tile flooring gives variation in texture and create a visually interesting design component, while its gray hues harmoniously blend with the neutral color scheme of the house.

A patio with an outdoor kitchen is perfect for homeowners who love to cook and find delight in enjoying a sumptuous meal with friends or family in the backyard. This is the ideal weekend relaxation area where you can grill out in your very own yard while enjoying a cooling afternoon dip in the pool. This design makes use of a multilevel flooring which defines the kitchen and dining area from the rest of the space. Natural stones are used for the kitchen counter as this type of material can withstand the heat generated from cooking.

Modern Covered Patio Ideas

A covered patio allows you to bring your living room outside, enhance your home’s livability and let you enjoy the outdoor area longer. Some of the best features include outdoor dining tables, furniture gas fire pits and entertainment areas for watching movies.

With all the conveniences of an indoor living room this idea offers plenty of opportunities for entertaining and relaxation.

This design, inspired by Spanish-style architecture, fuses traditional style with modern flair. Stucco walls and clay roof tiles conform to the historic architectural style, while elegant contemporary furniture is geared towards a more current vibe.  The inner courtyard of this stunning home is filled with flourishing plants, which bring natural coziness to the area. A wooden pergola adjoins two different structures and serves as the roof for the outdoor living space. Contemporary outdoor furniture made of woven rattan and beige loose cushions serve as the seating area, which enables the homeowners to entertain a small group of friends while enjoying the full view of the home.

With no furnishings in sight, this modern patio design boasts spacious flooring and a refreshing view of nature. Full concrete slab flooring directs to a lower-level concrete patio with a stone fire pit, perfect for catching warmth during cold nights or for bonding with family members while roasting marshmallows over a bonfire. The large space of this covered outdoor area is flexible in terms of use and can be furnished in a number of ways – from lounge chairs to dining sets to a full living room set up.

The picture above shows another example of a stamped concrete-covered design with a fire pit. However, this design takes a different approach—three-seater sofas are placed around a modern stone fire pit that is enclosed by glass and filled with white river stones. The fire pit also acts as an interesting central feature of design as it looks like a piece of art. Turquoise blue accent pillows add a fresh splash of color. Textured concrete flooring  give character to the space and display a quiet strength that does not overwhelm the overall look of this space.

Situated in a garden encompassed by a view of the magnificent hillside, this contemporary design provides the homeowners with a perfect opportunity to enjoy outdoor living. A complete living room set up composed of woven furniture pieces with a matching center table is housed under a metal gazebo roof with half-lattice wall panels. The brown earthy shades of this modern patio’s color palette are a perfect complement to the refreshing green color of plants and nature. Together, they create a naturally cozy environment which evokes a warm and welcoming feel.

Stacked sand colored decorative natural stones adorn the facade of this modern patio’s fireplace. A vaulted wooden ceiling takes advantage of the height and gives the area a more effective flow of ventilation. The warm, shady tones of the decorative stacked stone, combined with the simulated veiny marble appearance of the stamped concrete and the refreshing color of accent pillows and decor, give this space an inviting design.

The decor features the crisp, clean color of white fabric for the cushions, a conservative look of contemporary wooden armchairs, bright bursts of colors from quirky patterned accent pillows, an interesting pattern for the printed area rug, and a popping blue color for the center table. These all play with a high variation of color and textures, resulting in additional depth and dimension to the overall look of the space. Another standout includes

Patio Deck Designs

Modern decks provide an ideal opportunity to enjoy natural views and the surrounding landscapes. One integral part of modern deck design is the decking or flooring material. Typically, modern decks have hardwood floors. Commonly following a horizontal or vertical pattern, hardwood planks or decking materials conform with the streamlined aesthetics of a contemporary home or a minimalist patio.

Keeping the floor pattern simple naturally leads the eyes to a main attraction such as a fireplace or a water feature. The diverse types of wood which one can explore each display a different aesthetics that exude in natural coziness.

Found inside the courtyard of this modern home is a small patio with a wooden floor and sleek rattan outdoor furniture. This design tastefully combines rich and neutral tones, creating a strong yet formal contrast in color. Finely sculpted grass and a minimal amount of plants conform to the space’s minimalism. This patio also has a skylight ceiling, which takes advantage of natural lighting. A uniquely designed open partition using natural wood trunks provides a distinctive visual element and gives the space natural ventilation.

This modern deck provides a relaxing place to take in the serenity of the landscaped backyard with its Asian inspired rock garden and art wall. Modern ideas such as this evoke emotions while still maintaining harmony and a cohesive design.

Black and red ceramic tiles add an intense accent color to this fun and lively modern design. The wooden plank flooring stands in contrast with the white flat ceiling, the brick wall and the glossy surface of the stainless steel kitchen counter. A water feature is also added to the stone rectangular fence planters.

The dining area makes use of a modern glass table with metal legs and black accent chairs. This design is an interesting mix of materials and finishes, colors and eclectic design aesthetics. It shows a bit of playfulness in terms of modern patio ideas, but it doesn’t veer away from the simplicity of the modern style .

Deviate away from the monotony of a minimalist design by combining different finishes with natural materials. This rooftop patio makes use of natural wood deck flooring with warm ambient lights. A natural grass lawn breaks the uniformity of the design by providing an organic element to the space, while rectangular stone pavers and gravel fillers define the walkways.

A simple wooden table and seating are uniquely incorporated into the raised platform over the side of the deck. This allows the users to enjoy a meal while indulging in the view of the city. At the center is the main feature of this modern patio, the grand four-poster structure that holds a hammock. Minimalist designs mostly rely on variations of textures to add depth and dimension to a space. A play on different finishes keep the place more interesting.

For 50 more patio ideas visit our gallery here.