As more and more of us take the entertaining outside, we are getting creative with our living spaces such as pergolas, patios, porches and pavilions. Whether you want a clever way to hang a swing, a bit of shade, or an attached living space that houses an outdoor kitchen and lounging area, you’re sure to see something you’ll love among our favorite picks!
A remote-controlled, louvered roof system on this outdoor living space allows homeowners Todd Hale and Connie Shaw, (shown with their dog Luna) to control the amount of sunlight coming in. This feature can also be programmed to work with a home automation system.
Design, construction and louvered roof patio cover: Distinctive Patios
There’s nothing else to want in this incredibly spacious outdoor porch space built for a 2014 Homearama® home.
Builder: Daniels Homes, A Maestro Company
Architect: Norris & Dierkers Architects/Planners, Inc.
Landscapers: Seiler's Landscaping
Interior designers: Interiors by Nancy Paul and Julie Bell
Guests enjoying this outdoor living space, complete with outdoor kitchen, enjoy a shady perch underneath this patio cover to watch activity in the pool or in the Ohio River, seen in the distance.
Contractor: Mike Niehaus Construction
Louvered roof patio and solar screens: Distinctive Patios
The timber style of a Tudor home is carried through to the 550-square-foot covered outdoor porch, creating a cozy deck design the whole family can enjoy.
Contractor: The Howland Group, LLC.
Architect: Mary Cassinelli
An expansive open-air patio is a favorite spot for this family to gather on spring, summer, fall, or even winter days.
Architects: Ken Bowerman and Mary Cassinelli
Builder: Core Resources, Inc.
Landscaping: Botanics
A tired deck was removed from this Cincinnati home and replaced with this inviting three-season screened-in porch.
Contractor: Robert Lucke Remodeling
Lumber: McCabe Lumber
Flooring: Timbertech
Screens: Screeneze, Seuberling Co.
Fireplace and stone surround: Fireside Hearth & Home
Sound system: Multisource Home Electronics
It’s hard to beat this pavilion for an inviting outdoor space to get away from the heat.
Contractor: Neal's Design Remodel
Designer: Bob Voigt, Neal's Design Remodel
Landscaping: Werbrich's Landscaping
This six-sided stone gazebo comes complete with a gourmet outdoor kitchen, fireplace, television and lounging area.
Contractor: Neal's Design Remodel
Designer: Bob Voigt, Neal's Design Remodel
Landscaping: Mario Vargas Landscaping
Separate from the main house, this outdoor pavilion space feels like a private retreat in the woods.
Contractor: Neal's Design Remodel
Designer: Bob Voigt, Neal's Design Remodel
Landscaping: Werbrich's Landscaping
Craftsman-style stacked stone columns show strong support for this handsome covered patio in Cincinnati.
Landscape designer: Jennifer Barlow, Outside Influence Landscape Design
Contractor: John Hill Construction
Hardscapes: Bud Jones and Sons
This elegant pergola uses all of the elements typically found in the classic style.
Design: Architectural Landscape Design, Inc.
Landscaping: Jamie Fox Landscaping, Inc.
Pergola: Bolyard Custom Woodworks
A pergola-covered walkway connects the main residence to the newly-constructed carriage house behind this home.
Design: Architectural Landscape Design, Inc.
Landscaping: Jamie Fox Landscaping, Inc.
In Northern Kentucky, this Lakeside Park pavilion-style pool house dominates an exciting back yard. It shades a large outdoor dining space, a bar area and an seating area complete with a large screen television and fireplace.
Pool house concept design: Gayle A. Frazer and Associates
Addition concept design: LBH Design
Contractor: Noll Builders
Plants and installation: Tepe Landscape
Stone masonry: Land and Stone
Stamped concrete: Townscapes
Pool: Klimat Master Pools
A pavilion keeps with the Japanese-inspired theme in this garden.
Pavilion design and installation: Tepe Environmental Services
Patio furniture: Watson's
Large tree installation: Natorp's
A petite pergola, with a swing for two, is all the invitation you need to spend a quite evening under the stars.
Landscaping, hardscapes and pergola: Townescapes
Swing: Nags Head Hammocks
Surrounded by trees, both new and mature, this Cincinnati pergola provides a tranquil setting for family relaxation.
Design: Wenning Landesign Studio
Installation: Werbrich's Landscaping
Walls and pavers: Reading Rock
This outdoor pavilion features a louvered roof that offers sun when you want it and shade when you need to be protected from the elements but still want to enjoy the great outdoors.
Contractor: Adjustable Patio Covers-NE, LLC.
Designer: Peter Carlino
Pavilion: Arcadia Louvered Roof
The natural beauty of this gazebo looks right at home in the bucolic setting.
Designer and landscaping: Hap Evans, Allgreen, Inc.
Gazebo: Hemlock, metal roof
Lush landscaping, colorful hanging planters and a soothing fountain establish the elegant natural setting around this pavilion.
Contractor: Fifthroom.com
Pavilion: 12×12-foot treated pine
A pergola offers dappled sunlight to filter onto this cozy private living space.
Contractor: J. Francis Company, LLC
Designer: Dave Myers, J. Francis Company, LLC
Deck: Trex Transcend
A beautiful stone fireplace and comfortable seating serve as the anchors under this impressive covered outdoor patio.
Contractor: Prime 1 Builders
Hardscapes: Pittsburgh Stone & Waterscapes
Metal, wood and stone meet in this expansive pavillion. A fireplace is the focal point for lounging along with an outdoor kitchen with covered seating.
Design: Riepenhoff Landscape, LTD
Landscape and hardscape: Riepenhoff Landscape, LTD
Pavillion construction: JSB Home Solutions
This covered area, complete with a fireplace, provides ample room for relaxation after taking a swim in the indoor pool just feet away.
Designer and contractor: Nicholson Builders
Landscaper: Daniel’s Landscaping LLC
A Japanese garden with a ceremonial tea house alongside an arched bridge, adds a nearly mystical quality to this peaceful setting.
Design: Edsall & Associates, LLC
Hardscaping and planting: Peabody Landscape Group
A well-equipped outdoor kitchen sports a stylish cover complete with a metal roof that adds audio ambiance on a rainy day.
Design and construction: Peabody Landscape Group
This outdoor bar and kitchen area provides the perfect shaded spot to have a snack and take a break from the action in a nearby pool.
Contractor: Renovations Unlimited
Architect: Gary Alexander
Even though it was designed with children in mind, this treehouse pays respect to Mother Nature too by protecting the natural elements surrounding the structure.
Contractor: Renovations Unlimited
Architect: Gary Alexander
A wood-burning fireplace with its soaring stone chimney provides a visual anchor for this spacious outdoor entertaining area.
Architect: Richard Taylor, AIA, RTA Studio
Contractor: Phillips Custom Builds
Landscaper: Five Star Landscape Group
Visitors to an artists’ retreat were housed in these charming free-standing Waldenesque cabins.
A seemingly simple structure turns a home for outdoor grilling equipment and storage space into a charming focal point for this Columbus residence.
Design: Behal Sampson Dietz
Rough-sawn cedar beams arch dramatically over this terrace, which includes a striking limestone fireplace, to create an enchanting outdoor dining area.
Design: Landfare Ltd.
An open-air family room with a fireplace as its focal point adds the final dramatic touch to this back yard, which includes a pool, waterfalls, fountains and a fire bowl.
Design: Wood Landscape Services, Ltd.
Roof structure: Owens Construction
In Dayton, a pair of pergolas resting atop massive stone pillars flanks the seating area and fireplace, establishing a true outdoor room.
Contactor: Paver Planet
Landscape designer: Dwight Goodin, Paver Planet
Torches: Tempest Torch
Flooring: Unilock Rivenstone pavers
The pergola sitting at the head of the pool creates an eye-catching focal point without blocking the view of the lower patio and fire pit behind this home.
Landscape architect: Jim Teske, Woodbourne Landscape Architects, Inc.
Deck: Archadeck
Patio, boulder terrace and cedar pergola: Centerville Stone & Brick
Pool: Knickerbocker Pools & Spas
Custom-made concrete columns hold up the Western Red Cedar timbers of the pergola in this outdoor space.
Contractor, hardscapes and plant installation: Centerville Landscape and Irrigation
Landscape designer: Tim Ludwig
Plant supplier: Studebaker Nurseries
Pergola: Custom Outdoor Structures
Fireplace: Snyder's
This backyard pavilion offers all the comforts of home—a kitchen, dining table, seating area and plenty of flat screen televisions to watch your favorite sports team.
Contractor: Jason Schell, Custom Outdoor Structures
Pavilion materials: Fiberglass columns; Pine tongue and groove ceiling with asphalt shingles.
Flooring: Concrete pavers, installed by Tom's Mulch
An expansive pergola offers respite from the hot sun in the summer and warmth on a cool evening thanks to the stone fireplace.
Contractor: Paver Planet
Landscape Designer: Dwight Goodin, Paver Planet
This pergola and accompanying stone landscaping wall helps to establish a formal outdoor space in this Dayton back yard.
Contractor: The Site Group
Landscape designer: Ben Bayer, The Site Group
Plant supplier: Studebaker Nurseries
Pergola: Rough sawn cedar with poly post sleeves
The rustic cedar pavilion looks right at home tucked into the woods.
Contractor: The Site Group
Landscape designer: Ben Bayer, The Site Group
Plant supplier: Studebaker Nurseries
Stone: Dutch Quality Weather Ledge
Pavilion: Timber-framed rough sawn cedar
Flooring: Unilock Beacon Hill flagstone
This cozy covered porch includes an inviting wood burning fireplace and private views of the wooded back yard.
Builder: Jenny Diorio, R.L Diorio Custom Homes Inc.
Fireplace: Dayton Fireplace Systems
Stone: Snyder Brick & Block
Fragrant and colorful roses pack a colorful punch around this quaint pergola.
Contractor and landscaper: Whispering Creek LLC
Plant and flower suppliers: Jackson & Perkins; Edmunds’ Roses
A pair of inviting hammocks offers a quiet respite under this white pergola accented with flowing outdoor window treatments.
Landscape designer: Justin Beall
Landscaper: Beall’s Nursery and Landscaping
It’s hard to beat this pavilion for an inviting spot to get away from the heat.
Contractor: Neal’s Design Remodel
Designer: Bob Voigt, Neal’s Design Remodel
Landscaper: Werbrich’s Landscaping
Separate from the main house, this pavilion feels like a private retreat in the woods.
Contractor: Neal’s Design Remodel
Designer: Bob Voigt, Neal’s Design Remodel
Landscaper: Werbrich’s Landscaping
This oversized pergola was built to complement the adjoining pool house and serves as the designated outdoor dining and grilling area.
Architect: Brian Weaver, ALT Architecture
Designer: Debra Sullivan Interiors
Plant installation and hardscapes: J.R. Harlow, Harlow Landscape
The gazebo, which is adorned with elegant window treatments and comfortable furniture, overlooks the pool and surrounding landscape.
Pool, gazebo and landscaping: Rick Rafail Construction Inc.
Stamped concrete: D&E Concrete
The custom-built lean-to houses an outdoor bar and features a copper roof and decorative concrete carved to look like stone.
Patio and hardscapes: Custom Outdoor Structures
This creative pavilion is built 20-feet off the ground, featuring a Trex composite floor, Azek roof, and railings made of steel cables to allow the unobstructed views of the surrounding woods.
Landscaper: Ohio Valley Group
Furnishings: Patio Deck & Hearth Shop
This covered pavilion was built off the back of the existing house and includes a full kitchen, outdoor fireplace and plenty of seating options.
Landscape architect and developer: Siebenthaler’s
Contractor: Greater Dayton Construction Group
Bell says a number of building methods enhanced the beauty and value of the structure that measures about 40×20 feet. The project design called for the façade to blend in with the architecture of the house, including a clipped roof and dormers that mirror its exterior. Three-inch thick limestone caps were used for all the walls and fireplace hearth. An angled roofline offers extra flair for the television area while granite countertops raise the wow factor, as do the Wolf appliances in the kitchen.
Bell says, while an easy way to handle the wood slatted roof would have been to follow a right angle upward utilizing heavy pieces of trim board, “Each miter was cut on site. The trim cutter had his hands full. He did a great job.”
