Print < 7 Ways With Porches and Patios

Coastal inspired patio with wicker furniture

Kim Sargent and Jean Allsopp

Cool and Comfortable

Casual wicker furniture with plush pillows (covered in outdoor fabric) offers a relaxing retreat after a day at the pool. Surrounding the space with tropical plants gives the hint of a vacation right at home.

For a Look Like This:
Rustic Curved Hurricanes
$39 to $59
Available at Smith & Hawken

Garden Oasis Deep Seating Chair
$399.99
Available at Sears

Thomas J. Story

Makeshift Patio

An outdoor living room can be put together without a formal structure to house it. This rustic escape, with wooden patio furniture and gravel underfoot, is centered around a river stone fireplace.

For a Look Like This:
River Rock (on fireplace)
Prices vary
Available at Eldorado Stone

Chesapeake Coffee Table
$299
Available at Pottery Barn

Van Chaplin

Garden Oasis

Instead of walls and a ceiling, this outdoor dining room is set apart by rows of boxwoods, with large trees shading the space. A mix of antiques gives the room inviting personality.

For a Look Like This:
Octagonal Outdoor Pedestal
$104.95
Available at Accents in the Garden

Glass Cloche
$49.95
Available at English Creek Gardens

Thomas J. Story

1 Patio, 2 Rooms

The focal point on this patio is the double-sided fireplace. It separates the space into two rooms -- a covered seating area for reading or chatting, and an open-air dining room for dinner under the stars.

For a Look Like This:
Aztec Sun Wall Art
$100
Available at Shining Sun Garden Works

Tacoma Outdoor Dining Table
$457
Available at Wal-Mart

John O’Hagan

For the Family

"Meant to look like an interior space, this backyard porch serves as this family's second living room. A flexible arrangement of tables and seating choices enables the porch to accommodate one person or a large party."
-- Robert Martin, Architecture Editor, Southern Living

For a Look Like This:
Bordeaux Deep Seating
Prices vary
Available at Meadowcraft

Riviera Pottery Base Lamp
$195
Available at Shades of Light

Art Gray

Modern Zest

Worthy of a quiet family dinner or a weekend cookout, this contemporary patio combines sleek lines, comfy seating, and a pop of tangerine to create a truly unique space. The gas grill and extra grate in the fireplace offer multiple grilling options.

For a Look Like This:
Prado Arm Chair
$249
Available at Allegro Classics

Zeus Square Lime Green Dinnerware
Prices vary
Available at 10 Strawberry Street

Van Chaplin

Lush and Cozy

"A deck this size needs big pots and lots of them. Here we created outdoor rooms by grouping plants together to break up the long space."
-- Rebecca Bull Reed, Associate Garden Editor, Southern Living

For a Look Like This:
Adirondack Chairs
$129
Available at The Company Store

Sisal Beige Patio Rug
$130
Available at Lowe's

7 Ways With Porches and Patios