Eight unique patios that beckon to the outdoors
For our most recent lookbook, we look at homes where the threshold between indoor and outdoor spaces is thin, thanks to their sprawling patios that create the perfect place to kick back and relax outside.
There's nothing quite like a warm, breezy walk from a kitchen to the backyard during a summertime hangout, and these projects showcase the glamour of a dedicated area to do just that.
A typical – and technical – patio is an outdoor surface that's attached directly to a house at its ground level, usually on its back or side yard. It may be distinguished from the floors of the main house by a paved material such as stone, concrete or wood, and in most cases, is not covered by a roof.
The projects below all take a particularly unique approach to the patio, and in some cases, stretch the definition. But one thing is for certain: it's easy to imagine resting on them.
Read on below for eight patios from Mexico to Belgium that encourge indoor outdoor living.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring pocket gardens, bathroom windows and colorful tapware.
This house in Belgium is arranged around two outdoor spaces – a courtyard at the centre and a lush backyard enclosed by a stone wall.
An arched passageway leads from the kitchen into a backyard patio, which contains a large dining table, a speaker set and other furnishings and can be enclosed by large folding glass doors.
NZ10 Apartment, Spain, by Auba Studio
Located in Palma, Spain, the NZ10 Apartment used to be a bakery before it was converted into the industrial-style residence it is today.
A long, wooden storage unit runs down the middle of the apartment and out underneath a semi-open space covered by a pergola, which in turn runs out into a patio outfitted with seating.
Find out more about NZ10 Apartment ›
Collywood Residence, USA, by Olson Kundig
Architecture studio Olson Kundig Architects sought to eliminate boundaries "between inside and outside as much as possible" at this house in Los Angeles, which features numerous terraces and other outdoor areas.
The house's ground floor is especially expansive, and features retractable walls that open up to a sprawling patio area with a pool that overlooks the city.
Find out more about Collywood Residence ›
Casa Tres Patis, Spain, by Twobo Arquitectura
This house near Barcelona was organised into three living pavilions that surround three main patios, which are interconnected by concrete walkways.
Various doorways open up to connect the outdoor living area to the interior, while an outdoor kitchen sits at the centre of the complex.
Find out more about Casa Tres Patis ›
Casa Malbec, Mexico, by Cesar Mancillas
A large garage door abuts the patio area at Casa Malbec in Ensenada, Mexico, which is located at the front of the property.
A wooden deck steps up and leads onto the concrete outdoor area, which contains a grill and dining table, and further back into the rest of the home, which is divided by a wall of folding glass doors.
Find out more about Casa Malbec ›
Curved House, Menorca, by Nomo Studio
This Spanish island home is dominated by curvilinear lines, which carry into the back patio.
A domed ceiling covers an area directly out back, which then steps onto a circular wooden platform next to a small, circular pool.
Find out more about Curved House ›
Casa Mavra, Mexico, by Taller Alberto Calleja
A wedged-shaped wooden patio was inserted into the centre of this house in the woodlands of Valle de Bravo, Mexico.
The house is made of two angular black concrete volumes that intersect in the middle, where the patio was placed.
Find out more about Casa Mavra ›
Pachuca houses, Mexico, by PPAA
Huge glass doors open to a patio on the backside of these twin houses in Mexico City, which are slim and narrow and called for additional natural light and ventilation.
The doors spin open and then can be pushed into the place along the back wall of the outdoor space, for a seamless transition to the outdoors from a kitchen area.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring pocket gardens, bathroom windows and colourful tapware.
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