Covering your patio makes your outdoor space a more enjoyable one. With the right cover overhead, you can comfortably sit outside when the sun is at its hottest during the middle of summer. You can sit down to a relaxing meal with friends despite the rain coming down. Or you cozy up to a loved one in front of a fireplace under a blanket.
What covering will work best on your patio? These covered patio ideas below will help you get inspired. Take a look at your patio and imagine how you could increase your use of this space if you added a cover to it.
1. Cozy and Stylish
You don’t need a lot of space to have an enjoyable outdoor living area. A small patio is more affordable and easier to build an enclosed patio out of. The simplest option is to install a retractable awning or shade sail. These are simple, low profile, and perfect for creating shade over a smaller patio.
The problem with these covers is that they look temporary. A permanent structure will look nicer and blend in with the rest of your home better. A solid roof can be expensive, though. So a third option combines these two extremes.
A pergola roof with variegated metal or plastic sheeting looks permanent but is more affordable. The plastic option allows filtered light through, which keeps your patio brighter.
2. Embracing Contemporary Style
Give your patio an update and add modern elements. Natural stone and greenery can turn your concrete patio into a sleek outdoor lounge spot. Cover the ugly concrete with large stone tiles.
Slate is a popular choice. Use greenery to accent the space. Small hedges can act as a space divider. Rich wood looks beautiful as a privacy fence. Designate a section of the wall as a living wall.
Place two or three lounge chairs in a sunny spot on your patio. This is perfect for enjoying the outdoors during the warmer months. Stick with furniture that has clean lines and little ornamentation.
Square angles are good for creating a crisp design. Arrange a seating area with a fireplace in another spot. This is a perfect spot for enjoying your backyard patio during the cooler months.
3. Transform Your Backyard
Your backyard patio should reflect your personal style and lifestyle. Outdoor furniture is like indoor furniture; it comes in a variety of styles. A coastal home will benefit from a patio with teak wood framed furniture. Modern furniture could have sleek wood or metal-framed furniture. Iron furniture gives your patio a traditional look with plenty of details. Woven furniture, such as wicker or rattan, can give your patio a classic or tropical look.
Style the rest of your patio to create an outdoor living area. Add throw pillows to the seating. Add a potted plant to the center of the table. Lay a rug on the floor. Hang artwork on the walls. Don’t forget high-tech features, such as surround sound speakers and a flat-screen TV.
4. Creative and Budget-Friendly
Give your pergola or patio covering a personal touch by adding decorative elements. Add string lights by hanging them around the perimeter or overhead.
Small fairy lights will give a decorative glow, but not enough light to safely function. Large bulbed string lights are a perfect choice for creating enough light to entertain.
Create a wall for your outdoor structure by building a small water feature. A modern wall has water cascading down it. A traditional water feature looks more like a fountain with streams pouring into a bowl.
Get inspired by other people’s gazebo creations and make them your own. You could encourage plants to grow around your structure for natural shade. Mount long curtains on rails so you can adjust them to create more or less privacy.
5. Enhance Your Back Porch
When your porch is on the backside of your house, you have an increased level of privacy. This makes it ideal for turning it into an outdoor hangout spot. Instead of adding a large patio table or patio furniture, place games. You could have a basketball toss game, foosball, or an outdoor pool table.
Save space in one corner and set up a hot tub. It doesn’t have to be large but needs to be big enough to hold a handful of people. This creates an entertaining outdoor spot that you can use year-round.
Finish the flooring with something that will look nice and be easy to care for. Polished and sealed concrete is a smart choice. Tile is another durable option that will add to the aesthetic of your porch.
6. Indulge in Luxury
Create a feeling of luxury with your outdoor living space by using the same elements you see in high-end homes or resorts. The first is a vaulted ceiling. Affordable patio coverings are flat and slope away from the house.
A vaulted ceiling will require more investment and more extensive construction by a contractor. The result is more vertical space, which is the hallmark of expensive homes.
Next, furnish your outdoor patio with creature comforts. During the summer, you’ll appreciate a ceiling fan or two. If you have the budget, take it a step further and have gentle misters create a cooling effect.
For the winter months, install a fireplace, not a fire pit. This elevates your patio and inspires a living room feeling on your patio.
7. Poolside Retreat
Having a pool in your backyard means you have the perfect centerpiece for your patio. Extend your patio material of choice out from your home to wrap around the entire pool. You could also extend it further on the opposite side to give yourself an additional seating area.
Don’t try to build a covered deck for your entire pool deck and patio. Instead, compare backyard shade structures and find one that you can erect as a stand-alone feature.
You could have a simple slant roof with four supports. A fancier and more elaborate structure could have sides and built-in benches. For more versatility, install a cover that has a vaulted or high ceiling.
Then you can install lighting and a ceiling fan. Now you can use your covered patio when it gets dark out or when it becomes unbearably hot outside.
8. Enjoy the Outdoors in Comfort
Nothing is worse than trying to use your backyard patio only to find yourself continually slapping mosquitoes and other insects away. Having a patio roof may protect you from the sun and rain but will do nothing to stop the bugs. What you need is a patio enclosure. It will give you that much-needed layer of protection.
Choose your screen carefully. Screens that cover large expanses of space without support need a heavier material. This gives your screen more support and stability. Consider the amount of sun protection your screen provides. Especially sunny places may require stronger protection.
Aluminum screening is lightweight and strong but has very little spring back. Fiberglass is ideal for blocking insects and is very durable. It’s also one of the most affordable materials. Vinyl-coated polyester is good for blocking pests and protecting you from the sun.
9. Embrace Timeless Elegance
Using bricks to pave your backyard patio will give it a classic look. If you already have a concrete patio, buy thin bricks to install over your existing patio. Enjoy a beautiful look and how low maintenance it is. You’ll never have to stain or paint them like you do wood. They’re also durable, being made of stone or clay.
If you aren’t laying your bricks on concrete, buy thick enough stones to give them longevity. Thinner stones tend to sink and adjust over time, making for a less-than-flat surface.
Consider using more than one color of brick for a variegated look. Use the colors randomly for a scattered look. You can also use distinctly different colors to create a pattern. This works well for designing a border around the perimeter of your patio.
10. Nature’s Charm
Your patio is already outside, so make it channel the rustic beauty of nature. Even if you don’t have the rustic aesthetic inside your home, it can look right at home. Start by using reclaimed and weathered wood for the deck, railing, and ceiling beams.
You could also line the underside of the roof. Using this wood gives your patio an authentic rustic feel and uses wood that’s durable enough to last outdoors. Another option is to choose tin for the roof of your covered porch. You’ll love the sound it makes when it rains.
Finish your rustic porch with durable wood frame furniture, a handwoven rug made of jute, and natural decor. A few plants can add color to your patio. A few vintage lanterns can create light.
11. Warm and Inviting Fireplace Features
Everyone has a fire pit in their backyard. Take your outdoor space up a notch and install a fireplace instead. This feature is typically only seen inside, so adding it to your patio gives your patio more of a living room feel.
Finish the look with a large outdoor area rug and living room-style outdoor furniture. Splurge on pieces that have plenty of large cushions. A solid wood coffee table or end table is the last touch to give people a place to set down their drinks.
To make your patio complete, add an outdoor kitchen. Then you could do all of your entertaining outside, never leaving your guests to prepare food and drinks.
Build a space for your grill, add a stovetop, and have a countertop for meal prep. Add a drink fridge or under-the-counter fridge for a convenient place to keep items cold.
12. Create an Inviting Outdoor Living Space
How you furnish your outdoor living space will determine how often you use it. A simple table and chairs set is functional but lacks an element of interior design.
Hang decor on the walls and plants from the roof or put them in large pots. Place the pots around the perimeter or in a dead corner.
Wicker furniture is a common outdoor furniture material. Arrange your outdoor space like your indoor living room. Arrange a sofa and one or two accent chairs. Then place a coffee table between the seating areas.
Finish the space by adding lighting. Overhead lighting in a fan is common but lacks style. String lights are popular but could be viewed as overdone. Hanging lanterns give you the same lighting effect but add a decorative element to your covered patio.
FAQs
How much does it cost to add a covered patio?
The cost of building your patio covering will depend on what type of coverage you decide to build and the size of your patio. Expect to spend anywhere from $8,000 to $25,000. A large portion of the cost is for the labor. This can cost $20 to $40 per square foot, depending on where you live. The materials are $2 to $35 per square foot.
What can I use to cover my patio?
You can use any material that is durable enough for building with. This could be a tarp or umbrella for a temporary covering. Or you could use galvanized steel panels, straw, slats, or a pergola for a permanent solution.
Is a covered patio worth it?
Yes, building a cover for your patio is beneficial. Not only does it shade your outdoor living space, but it also helps lower your home cooling costs. The covering on your patio blocks the sun from shining in your home and thus reduces the amount of natural heat buildup.