9 Patio Trends Changing Today’s Backyards

Taking the plunge, so to speak, also leaves more space to enjoy the rest of the garden. Plus they’re easier to install, says Nawada Evans. “They take up less space, water, and energy than a standard-size swimming pool, and they require fewer chemicals.”

Bring on the bar carts

“Designers love a good bar cart moment, and outdoor patios are no exception,” says Denver-based designer Donna Mondi, who recently added Holly Hunt’s Omura bar cart to her own patio. “It’s been used for tequila tasting, a backup bar, and champagne service for events at our home,” she notes. “It’s stylish, strong enough to withstand the elements, and mobile so we can wheel it where we need it.

Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director at BHDM Design, also thinks that bar carts add a lavish aesthetic to patio designs for all seasons. “Bar carts can do much more than just hold liquor,” he explains. “From accommodating dim sum to buffets, these pieces are both form and function and go from poolside chic to dinner party elegant as the sun sets.” There are plenty of bar-cart styles that combine the warmth of wood with cool aluminum to meld well with other patio furniture and decor.

North Carolina–based Carrie Moore decked out this alfresco kitchen with plenty of pendant lighting and cozy cushions.

Lissa Gotwals Photography / Courtesy of Carrie Moore Interior Design

Light it right

The pros we spoke to emphasized that lighting design must be integrated into a design scheme from the inception of a project, not as an afterthought. “I’ll always encourage clients to have fun with outdoor lighting,” notes Perera, “from a beautiful chandelier…to an unexpected fixture to add a touch of whimsy to the space.”

Eyoh’s Morris is noticing many outdoor spaces that don’t have permanent overhead lighting structures opt for café lights instead. “Café lights over outdoor spaces lend a very ephemeral and romantic feeling to the space in the evening, as the string of soft lights offers the coziness of an overhead ceiling while being completely open to the stars,” he explains.

To create an appealing atmosphere outside, “We accent trees, light pathways, and string party lights to make our patios just as inviting,” Ramsey says. “And now we have all kinds of options for rechargeable lamps to provide even more charm and warmth to our thoughtfully designed outdoor rooms.”

Similarly, Washington, DC–based AD PRO Directory designer Zoë Feldman favors solar-powered string lights. “They’re effortless, energy-efficient, and add just the right amount of magic to any outdoor space,” she says. “No plugs, no fuss, just instant ambiance.”

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