Your patio is one of the most important spaces in your outdoor space. Not only does it serve as an extension of your home, but it’s also the perfect place to relax, entertain, and unwind while enjoying the beauty of nature.
As summer comes to a conclusion, you may be thinking of moving gatherings to indoor spaces, but with the right mix of fixtures, furniture, lighting, accessories, and some creativity, your patio can still be your favorite late summer spot.
Here are 17 stunning patio designs to enjoy those magical late evenings and take your outdoor space to the next level.
Take a look!
1. Zone Different Areas
One of the best ways to create a multipurpose patio is to create distinct zones. This way, each area has a defined purpose, and you don’t always have to move things around when you want to engage in a different outdoor activity.
This patio design creates three primary zones here, including an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a conversation area, and a poolside spot to bask and enjoy the sunlight on the daybeds.
2. Create an Outdoor Dining Area
If you often host people in your home, then you understand how challenging it can be for everyone to get an ideal seating spot, primarily when serving refreshments. Adding an outdoor dining spot saves you from all this trouble by ensuring extra seating when needed.
Besides, it’s always refreshing to enjoy a meal outdoors—talk of barbecues. This late summer patio design entails an outdoor dining area complete with a barbecue grill spot.
3. Set the Mood with the Lighting
Lighting can make all the difference when it comes to creating ambiance and a welcoming, cozy atmosphere on your patio. Luckily, there are different lighting options you can try. This patio design uses various lighting components to invoke a warm yet tranquil mood.
From the under lights illuminating the steps to the perimeter light that defines the patio area, the lighting options add a soft, inviting glow to the space. The hanging lights above the pergola are functional and contribute to the patio’s magical ambiance.
4. Liven It Up with Some Greenery
Plants liven up a space and attract exciting animals and birds, making your patio the perfect scenic spot. All you need to do is select the right plants to grow based on your area’s hardiness zone, and you can instantly improve your backyard’s curb appeal.
In this patio design, the primary area has been surrounded by various plants, including trees, shrubs, and flowers, making for a scenic sitting area.
5. Bring Some Charm With Hanging Lights
@Urban Oasis Design Construction LLC
String lights are a classic choice for your patio. They’re easy to install and can be used with almost any patio design. Whether you hang them over your pergola, wrap them around trees, or simply display them over the edge of your patio, you can never go wrong with string lights.
This patio uses string lights to create a relaxing, cozy vibe. The firepit makes an excellent addition to a late summer patio since temperatures are expected to drop gradually.
6. Transition For Fall
With the summer season coming to a conclusion, it’s only right that your next outdoor design reflects the upcoming fall season. Late summer gives way to the rich hues and cooler temperatures of fall, so start taking small steps to transition your patio into something more cozy.
This patio design is perfectly suited for late summer and early fall, with cozy cushions and various blankets to keep away cold drafts. When selecting cushions and upholstery, remember to go for durable outdoor fabrics that can survive all year long.
7. Bring Warmth with a Firepit
Firepits make great conversation areas, especially on chilly nights when you want to enjoy the fresh breeze of the outdoors. They can also serve as a focal point for your patio, making it the go-to spot in your outdoor space.
In this patio design, a built-in fire pit provides warmth and the perfect ambiance for evening relaxation. The patio has been sectioned with different seating areas so you can choose the ideal spot based on the season—a firepit for cold weather on one side and a seating area far from the pit for hot days and warm evenings on the far side.
8. Warm Up with Creative Outdoor Heating
@Edmunds Studios Photography, Inc.
While firepits are an effective outdoor heating solution, they aren’t the only option. Sometimes, it pays to be creative with your heating design, adding a touch of uniqueness and authenticity to the design and giving your outdoor space a lot of character.
In this patio design, subtle heating is provided by various gas torches. The arrangement of these torches ensures that all spots on the patio can benefit from the heat. When choosing such a design, ensure you install the torches away from flammable items to minimize the risk of a fire.
9. Get Creative with the Seating Arrangement
Just like your indoor spaces, comfortable seating can determine how much you enjoy your outdoor space. The right furniture choice can leave you wanting to relax on your patio all summer.
This late summer patio design goes for woven sofas and curved benches, all artistically designed to converge around the firepit. A separate dining area has also been added, making the patio ideal for outdoor events or even conversation gatherings.
10. Diversify Seating Options
A patio can be an extended part of your home, especially with many guests. That is why having multiple seating options is always a good idea. This way, you are always full of chairs, even when all the indoor spots are taken.
This patio design offers various seating options, including a small dining area serving as a game area, a sofa, and comfy armchairs perfect for relaxing after a long day with a good read. The daybeds just next to the pergola provide even more seating.
11. Make It an Extended Part of Your Home
A patio can extend the living space of your home while also increasing outdoor time; think of it as a modern pergola. Here, the patio extends the living space of this house, providing an ideal outdoor seating spot no matter the time of day.
Extra seating has been added just a few meters from the main patio, ensuring enough sitting spots even with additional guests. Notice the use of different heating options, e.g., the fire pit and the solar torch on the main patio.
12. Go for a Simple Design
Simple designs can add immeasurable beauty to your outdoor space; as the saying goes, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication! With its minimalistic aesthetic, this patio design invokes a peaceful and tranquil mood.
The design entails two wooden resting chairs and a coffee table under the small pergola. The furniture’s choice complements other natural features in the environment, such as plants and a small man-made stream. Such designs work best in areas with warm late summer temperatures.
13. Add a Water Feature
@Alderwood Landscape Architecture Construction
One way to spruce up your patio design is to add a water feature. A water feature attracts plenty of wildlife and birds, and can reduce noise pollution, adding an air of tranquility to the space.
In this patio design, a natural water feature in the form of a pond has been added, adding a pop of elegance to the space and acting as a natural humidifier for the surrounding plants.
14. Add a Sun Shade Sail
If you live in an area with high temperatures, you know the importance of a shade. Adding a sun shade sail to your patio can provide respite from the harsh summer sun, making it ideal for different outdoor activities.
Here, a small sun shade sail has been used to cover the patio area, making it a good hangout spot no matter the weather. The string lights illuminating the area add a touch of class and style to the space.
15. Maximize on Narrow Spaces
Designing narrow spaces can be challenging both indoors and outdoors. However, with some creativity, even a tiny, narrow space in your outdoor space can make for a good patio. All you need to do is select or design furniture that complements the space.
In this patio design, a seating area has been created by combining one large sofa and two armchairs. To improve the visual interest of the space, flower gardens have been grown on either side, and hanging lights have been added to illuminate the area.
16. Go for a Wooden Deck
Wooden decks make good patio locations since, unlike concrete and stone surfaces, they don’t lose heat easily and can stay warmer for longer. As such, you won’t have to incur additional heating costs unless, of course, the temperatures are extremely low.
Here, part of the extended deck is used as the patio. The shaded pergola provides much-needed shade in hot summer weather.
17. Bring the Coziness of the Indoors Outdoor
Your outdoor space could use a warmer setup with colder fall and winter approaching. What better way to create a cozy space than mimicking the coziness of your indoor spaces outside?
This patio design follows the arrangement of the indoor living room. Rather than a firepit, the design opts for a fireplace, which is more in line with the patio style. The outdoor bar, kitchen, and accents such as throw blankets make the space feel cozier.
