Poolside Patios

Outdoor living spaces on several levels can make the most of a challenging site. Because the Folsom, California, backyard is bordered on two sides by a driveway, and electrical poles and lines are visible beyond their back fence, the landscape architects decided to draw the focus of the garden inward. To do that, they placed a pool in the center of the backyard and added three patios on three levels around it.

Hugging the home’s main level, the top patio--and the pool beside it--sits 3 feet above the bottom patio, creating a seamless transition from indoors. A midlevel patio provides space for dining and grilling; while the lowest patio, at ground level, features a fireplace with built-in storage for firewood.

Related

• Read about another backyard resort from Sunset.
• Room of the Day
• Editors’ Top Picks: 10 Cozy Fireplaces

Get This Look

Design: Mike and Annette Heacox, Luciole Design, Sacramento (lucioledesign.com or 916/972-1809).

Installation: Deco Construction, Folsom (decoconstruction.net or 916/496-1666).