Five Modern Backyard Patio Design Ideas and Pictures

Does your backyard need a face lift? If so, a modern patio may be the way to go. While there’s something to be said for traditional styles, a contemporary patio can breathe new life into any backyard. The clean, sleek designs of these patios make them work well with many different landscaping styles. In most cases, a minimal amount of maintenance is needed to keep modern backyard patios looking great. As an added bonus, modern patio design usually has a strong emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness, so you can enhance your backyard while doing your part to help the environment. If you need inspiration, check out the following five modern backyard patio design ideas.

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1. Get Creative with Flagstone Pavers

Flagstone pavers are popular options for modern backyard patios. Their irregular lines and eye-catching textures can have a very positive impact on the appearance of any outdoor space. For a thoroughly modern look, choose oversize flagstone pavers in a variety of muted colors. Due to the irregular shaping of these pavers, it’s not possible to create neat, orderly patterns. That’s part of the charm, actually, so play around with them until you achieve the look that’s right for you.

A great way to spice up a flagstone paver patio is by adding a border. If you’re going to go through the trouble of building a patio made out of flagstone pavers, why not put in a little extra work and add a border too? You can take your pick from many different stones and pavers for your border, but make sure that they stand out dramatically on your patio. Don’t just choose stones or pavers that have contrasting colors; look for contrasting textures too. River rocks are wonderful options in this situation. Arrange them so that your border has a bumpy surface. The end result is sure to be fantastic.

2. Try Oversized Concrete Pavers

There’s no law that says you have to cover every last inch of your patio with pavers and other materials. Why not let nature do its thing too? A great way to add a dose of green to your patio is by arranging oversize rectangular or square concrete tiles in creative ways. Instead of filling the spaces between the pavers with concrete or gravel, you could just allow grass to grow. If you’d rather not deal with cutting the grass and sweeping the patio, try planting Scotch moss between the pavers instead. Just keep in mind that it takes a long time for moss to fill in all the spaces.

The great thing about using oversize square or rectangular concrete pavers is that you can arrange them in so many different ways. You could even try mixing and matching different shapes and sizes. There are many colors, textures and styles available too, so the possibilities here are truly endless. Just make sure to plan ahead for things like tables, chairs and other furniture so that table and chair legs have sturdy places to rest.

Oversized Patio Pavers

3. Freshen Up an Existing Patio with Deck Tiles

If your patio has seen better days but you can’t afford to build a new one from scratch, you might want to consider deck tiles instead. Deck tiles are also excellent options for renters because they can be removed quickly and easily. Unlike so many modern patio ideas, deck tiles simply snap into place. No thin set or glue is required. There’s a dizzying array of options, so coming up with a customized, modern look is a snap. They work just as well on compact patios as they do on large ones, which is also convenient.

The most popular deck tiles are squares of wood planks. A variety of woods is available, but tropical hardwoods like eucalyptus and ipe tend to be the most popular. You can also choose from many finishes, which allows you to mix and match colors for a richly textured look that somewhat resembles parquet. Wood deck tiles are lovely, but stone and ceramic styles are worth your consideration too. Because deck tiles aren’t permanent, they give you a lot of flexibility. If you grow tired of them, just remove them and replace them with something else. The one caveat here is that these tiles must be installed on a stable, steady surface.

iStock_000006234131_ExtraSmall 4. Enhance Your Yard and Help the Environment with Permeable Pavers

Like many homeowners, you may be looking for ways to help save the environment. It’s easy to waste a lot of water to keep a yard looking great, but you can minimize your impact with the right patio materials. Permeable pavers are a prime example. These popular pavers allow water to seep through to the ground instead of forcing it to run off elsewhere. This helps to recharge the groundwater below, which has enormous benefits for the environment.

Permeable pavers also help to filter pollutants to help keep them out of the ground. If you think you have to trade style for sustainability, think again. Thanks to the growing popularity of these pavers, there are more options than ever.

5. Spice Things Up with Brazilian Ipe Wood Decking

When most people think of patios, pavers made of stone, concrete and brick usually spring to mind. Pavers can definitely be used to achieve a chic, modern look, but why limit yourself? Wood decking is a viable option for modern patios too, and ipe is one of the best options of all. Ipe is a durable, sturdy Brazilian hardwood that naturally stands up well to a variety of forces. In addition to being strong, ipe is absolutely gorgeous.

If you’re going to use ipe decking for your modern backyard patio, select long, narrow planks. Arrange them so they are all running in the same direction. This design manages to look sleek and contemporary while also having a nice dose of eye-catching texture. Unlike many types of wood that are used for decks and patios, ipe doesn’t need to be sanded and refinished constantly. However, it is on the pricier end of the scale, so keep that in mind.

Why bother putting in a new patio if you’re not excited about it? By considering a few of today’s best ideas for modern backyard patios, you’re sure to find something that truly inspires you. In addition to sprucing up your yard and creating a lovely place to spend time outside, the right patio will have a sustainable design that lets you do your part to help the environment. If you have a backyard, you can do whatever you’d like to it. Broaden your horizons by choosing a stylish, eco-friendly patio design.

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