13 Covered Patio Ideas for Your Yard | brick&batten (2024)

Building a patio — or updating your current one — is an excellent way to add more living space to your home. And if the patio is covered, you can enjoy the space more often. Whether you want an outdoor space to entertain friends or an area to enjoy a glass of wine al fresco after a long day of work, a covered patio is a great option. In this post, we highlight some of our favorite covered patio ideas that are sure to inspire.

Wondering how a patio differs from a porch or portico? Check out our exterior design dictionary.

When it comes time to update your covered patio, switch the paint color on your home’s exterior, or make another update to your house, don’t go it alone. Our team of expert designers is here to help. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
13 Covered Patio Ideas for Your Yard | brick&batten (1)

#1 // Bright and Airy Patio Space

While this home already had a covered patio area, it was quite dark and uninviting. Replacing the old covering with a modern pergola brightens up the space and allows the homeowners to enjoy both sun and shade. A cozy seating area around the outdoor fireplace and a dining table make this backyard patio perfect for entertaining.

13 Covered Patio Ideas for Your Yard | brick&batten (2)

#2 // Poolside Covered Patio

Pool party, anyone? This large covered patio offers the homeowners some shade after going for a swim. This design actually features multiple covered spaces — the large area directly outside the doors into the home, the dining area under a pergola to the left, and the lounge chairs shaded with an umbrella to the right.

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#3 // Elevated Outdoor Entertaining Space

Our designers transformed this dining area into an elevated space to entertain guests. The gorgeous gable patio cover is the focal point of this backyard hardscape. We especially love the built-in pendant light, which makes it easy to host dinner parties well into the night.

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#4 // Partially Covered Patio

This modern sitting patio feels like an extension of the home’s living room. The covered area offers shade, while the uncovered portion is a great place to soak up the sun. The concrete planter box that outlines the covered patio helps separate it from the rest of the yard and creates a defined space to sit back and relax.

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#5 // Pergola to Peaked Patio

This unique design features a pergola-and-patio combination that frames the kitchen’s bay windows. Recessed lighting, a fan, and plush furniture make this space feel like a cozy outdoor living room.

13 Covered Patio Ideas for Your Yard | brick&batten (6)

#6 // Front Yard Lounge Area

Our designers made great use of this front yard space by creating a laidback lounge area covered by a pergola. The patio area feels open to the rest of the yard, but a longconcrete fence offers privacy and separation too.

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#7 // Covered Patio and Screened-In Porch Combo

Why settle for one great outdoor space when you can have two? This design features a screened-in porch area to the left and a patio to the right that’s shaded with a large umbrella. Both spaces are well defined and offer varying levels of protection from the elements.

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#8 // Covered Patio Surrounded by Greenery

From the Corten steel planters to the foliage lining the walkway, this covered patio is surrounded by gorgeous greenery. The landscaping not only boosts the home’s curb appeal but also offers a bit of privacy to anyone sitting on the patio. We love the way our designers seamlessly incorporated the patio into this front yard hardscape.

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#9 // Covered Patio and Balcony Combo

This design features a covered patio with a balcony — also partially covered with an umbrella — on top of it. The balcony and columns are painted with Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee to match thestucco and trim, making the patio area seem like an extension of the home. Wood and stone accents add texture and visual interest to the space.

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#10 // Defined Dining Space

Adding a pergola above the dining table creates a defined space for mealtime. The wood pergola complements the wood table and chairs and adds to the warm, inviting feel of this cozy backyard. It also acts as a great place to hang planters!

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#11 // Big Backyard Patio

This covered patio takes up most of this home’s backyard — offering plenty of shade and protection from the elements. Stone accents on the columns match the fireplace, and the wood adds warmth to this cozy outdoor lounge area.

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#12 // Mix Textures

This deep covered patio offers plenty of protection from the elements and space to relax. It’s well integrated with the rest of the home and overlooks the spacious backyard. We love the mixture of textures used in this space, too. The metal roof, wood siding, and white-painted brick come together to create an eye-catching entertaining space.

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#13 // Add a Covered Patio

This home’s original patio area was small, uncovered, and not very functional, so our designers extended it with beautiful stone pavers and added a large covering. Now the space features multiple seating areas and plenty of usable space to relax and entertain.

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Considering a Covered Patio?

Covered patios are a great space in which you can do a whole range of activities, from hosting dinner parties and happy hours to relaxing in the shade after a dip in the pool. We hope this roundup of covered patio ideas has inspired you to create the outdoor living space of your dreams.

Ready to take your covered patio ideas and bring them to life? We’ve got the expertise and skills to help make it happen. Get started on your exterior design project today.

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13 Covered Patio Ideas for Your Yard | brick&batten (2024)

FAQs

What is a covered patio called? ›

Patio Covers

The term patio cover is often used interchangeably with pavilion and pergola; however, the main difference is that they are attached to the home rather than being a freestanding structure. They are used to cover a patio or deck, and can have either a partially open or completely solid roof.

What is the best height for a covered patio? ›

The standard pergola height is 8 to 12 feet. But that doesn't always have to be the case. For example, if you want an 8-foot head clearance, the beams will take it up to 9 feet at least, and then the rafters will total 10-feet easy.

How do I cover my backyard patio? ›

A patio cover can anything from a retractable awning to a pergola or a fixed roof. If you have a small patio with simple shading needs, you can buy or DIY a privacy screen, pop-up canopy, or free-standing umbrella.

How much does it cost to cover a 10x10 patio? ›

Covered patio cost by size
SizeSquare footageAverage cost installed*
10'x10'100$5,000 – $15,000
10'x20'200$10,000 – $22,500
12'x20'240$12,000 – $36,000
16'x16'256$12,800 – $38,400
4 more rows
Oct 13, 2023

What is the least expensive patio? ›

Gravel. Gravel is, on average, the cheapest material for a patio and requires the least time to install. It can match well with a less landscaped, wilder garden or backyard, and offers great drainage.

What is the difference between a covered porch and a covered patio? ›

The major difference between a porch and a patio is that one is attached to your house and the other is a separate space. Additionally, porches have roofs while patios do not. While porches can be located on the front, side, or back of a home, patios are most often only on the side or the back.

What kind of patio cover is best? ›

Aluminum. Lightweight, durable, and virtually maintenance-free. Aluminum covers can mimic the look of wood but without the upkeep. They're resistant to rust and rot, making them a good choice for humid or coastal areas.

What is the difference between a pavilion and a covered patio? ›

A covered patio is an outdoor living space that could be entirely or partially covered by a roof, offering shelter from the elements. Meanwhile, a pavilion is a free-standing structure that gives an outside living area with a roof to provide shade and protection.

Is a 12x12 patio big enough? ›

Is a 12x12 patio big enough? For many people, a 12-by-12-foot patio is plenty big. This size still allows for a dining table to sit four to eight people, with a bit of room to spare. You could always use more room, of course, but it depends on if you have it.

What is the average size of a covered patio? ›

Sizes of patio covers can scale from smaller 15' x 15' or 10' by 20' footprints ideal for creating a small outdoor dining space or shaded relaxation space in the garden, to larger 12' x 36' or 15' x 30' spaces to encompass dedicated outdoor living, dining and cooking space.

What is a good size for a covered porch? ›

14x16 foot is a common porch size that can accommodate either a conversation area or a dining set – but not both. That being said, a 14x16 foot porch could fit two small lounge chairs (or just a loveseat) and a 2-person dining set.

Do I need planning permission for a covered patio? ›

If you plan to cover your patio with a different type of shading - for example, a canopy or outdoor structure - you may be wondering if you'll need planning permission first. Good news: like with awnings, you won't normally need planning permission for any kind of patio cover.

Does a covered patio need to be sloped? ›

The slope, or pitch, of your patio roof cover plays a crucial role in ensuring functionality and durability. Here are some reasons why the slope matters: Water drainage: Proper slope allows rainwater and debris to effectively run off the roof.

Should I cover my entire patio? ›

By providing a cover to the alfresco area, you have a leg up on the elements. A patio cover allows you to take advantage of the outdoor living room more often. Plus, depending on the homeowner's climate, you'll be able to enjoy the patio most—if not all—of the year.

What is the cheapest material for a patio roof? ›

Vinyl – Offers a natural look and feel, is relatively inexpensive, low maintenance and weather resistant. Fabric – Inexpensive, easy to install, but prone to damage and weather, ideal as a temporary solution.

How much does it cost to build an awning over a patio? ›

What Is the Cost of Adding a Patio Roof by Type
TypeLowAverage
Awning$700 – $1,000$1,000 – $2,000
Pergola$1,500 – $2,000$2,000 – $4,500
Gable$1,500 – $2,750$2,750 – $4,500
Free-standing$1,500 – $3,000$3,000 – $5,500
1 more row
Sep 26, 2023

What is the easiest DIY patio? ›

Bricks and concrete pavers are the easiest patio materials to use because they have a uniform shape and create a relatively flat surface. That's helpful if you want to roll a grill across it, put down a mat to do Pilates or wear high heels while hosting a dinner party.

What is the cheapest hardscape for a backyard? ›

Concrete and gravel are the least expensive hardscape materials, often used to build affordable retaining walls, patios, driveways, and other outdoor structures.

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