One great way of accomplishing this would be to install temporary or permanent pergola covers to provide nice shaded areas for those inclement weather days. I like how they did theirs in wood, but it would look just as pretty with colorful patterned cloth. Accent it with some bright planters and a throw pillow or two and you've got yourself a fantastic design.

One of my favorite high end patio ideas is a backyard fire pit. Even though they certainly aren't at the top of the list of super expensive and impressive backyard patio ideas, I really think they are just so whimsical and fun. Imagine curling up by the fire in the fall with a glass of hot chocolate and a book, or gathering around during the summertime nights to make a s'more. Every single homeowner that has had us install an outdoor fire pit told us that now they they have one, they cannot imagine their lives without it. We actually just installed one in my own backyard, and I must say that it is so much fun. We cook huge steaks on it for dinner then gather round with a glass of wine afterwards to enjoy the relaxing ambience that the flames create.

I had been on the hunt for some unique patio ideas to use in our backyard, until I saw these gorgeous pictures. They are definitely my new inspiration for patio design ideas that I want to translate into our property. What attracted me to this design is the stacked stone retaining walls and coordinating pool deck, all accented by beautiful landscape lighting. I have heard a lot about using stone veneer panels alongside patio stones to create a similar look as this on a budget, and I definitely think that is something I am going to look into so that I can achieve this look. We have a lot of mature trees and a really nice pool with spa, so the foundation to a great design is there, it just needs a few finishing touches like this.

I am on the hunt for some patio ideas to liven up our outdoor entertaining areas. As you can see we really do have a good base to our design already. Everything is clean and fresh, finished in a gorgeous stucco that matches the siding of our home as well as our open-air pool house and retaining walls. The only thing that our outdoor patio designs are lacking is some color and pizazz. I think that we could probably solve this pretty quickly by adding pillows, umbrellas and even some cool sculptures or landscaping but I am not really sure where to begin. I have seen covered patio ideas that select one accent shade and carry it throughout, but I think that I want a bolder design with more color. I am particularly inspired by gorgeous and playful Spanish tiles, so if anybody has any ideas or expertise on how to tie that in to our landscape, please let me know!

If you are looking around for patio ideas and inspiration, definitely look no further than this resort-style island retreat. Stepping out into their backyard patio designs it feels as though you were transported to an awesome club in Hawaii or South America, you forget that you are actually standing outside a residential home. The main elements that achieve this look are the water features (fountains, Infiniti pool etc.), cool light features, and lavish furnishings. Designs as impressive as these often share the key elements I just listed and, as expensive and high end as the look, they are actually quite achievable for the average homeowner whether you need large or small patio ideas. These features can often be purchased at your local home improvement stores, you just need to know how to combine them for the most luxurious look.

I love patio ideas that have that resort-style vibe that make you feel like you have transported to your favorite vacation spot every time you step out of the door. No matter how large or small your space is, with the right patio decor you can achieve this feeling every single time. This gorgeous home particularly stands out to me because they have incorporate so many cool features into a fairly limited space, and really took advantage of the unique architecture of their home. I love that they used outdoor patio ideas specifically designed for colder climates as well such as the large stone hearth, heat lamps, and firepit coffee table, because most eye-catching backyard entertaining areas are very warm weather centric (think pools, and cabana houses).