Beautifying Your Outdoor Living Space With Covered Patio Extension Ideas and Considerations

There is nothing more relaxing than spending time outside on your patio. 

You look forward to lounging peacefully reading a good book on the weekend, and you cherish the time you spend entertaining friends and family in your outdoor dining area.

It can be disappointing when the weather doesn’t cooperate and your time to unwind and enjoy needs to be moved inside. It would be nice to have extra shade, especially on those blistering hot afternoons, or shelter on the drizzly mornings when you want to enjoy a cup of coffee outside.

If you’re considering adding some coverage to your patio, keep reading to discover some clever covered patio extension ideas and the considerations to make when designing them.  

Table of Contents

• 7 Covered Patio Extension Ideas and Designs To Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space
• 5 Considerations To Make When Designing a Covered Patio Extension
• Trust Three Rivers Custom Decks To Design and Install the Covered Patio Extension of Your Dreams

7 Covered Patio Extension Ideas and Designs To Spruce Up Your Outdoor Living Space

#1: Create a New Design Theme

There are many different style aesthetics to consider when smartening your outdoor space. Here are some style options that may inspire a chic look for your covered patio:  

• Traditional: Influenced by past eras, this classic style embodies formality, symmetry, and structure. A traditional style ranges from vintage European-inspired styles to iconic Americana design.
• Boho: A bohemian style is an exotic and playful look. This free-spirited vibe embraces creative freedom and uses bold colors and patterns. 
• Coastal: Casual and beachy, this style brings the natural elements of the coast to your backyard with the use of wood, rattan, and linen.
• Industrial: Inspired by the vibrant energy of city life, industrial design has a rustic, edgy, and urban feel that emphasizes tough and strong materials, like metal, rustic wood, and concrete.
• Rustic: Sparking a warm, inviting, and homey feeling, rustic style is influenced by the beauty of the great outdoors and showcases wood, stone, and earth-toned colors.
• Mediterranean: Filled with romance and luxury, the Mediterranean style often uses earthy tones and stone or tile to emphasize a flowing transition from indoor to outdoor living.

Whatever design scheme you gravitate toward, Three Rivers Custom Decks can transform your space into a personal paradise specifically designed for your comfort and enjoyment.

Contact us today for an in-person consultation to discuss your ideas and plan the outdoor space of your dreams.  

 

#2: Add Unique Furniture

After you’ve established the kind of style that reflects your unique personality and preferences, you can decide what furniture meshes with the vibe you’re going for.

For example, if you go boho, you may consider adding a cushioned rattan sofa or an oversized wicker egg chair to harmonize with your eclectic, free-spirited look.

If you’re more enthusiastic about the woodsy, rustic look, heavy-duty Adirondack chairs or a hanging wooden swing might give you the right amount of outdoorsy charm you’re looking to add to your nature-inspired patio.

#3: Accessorize

There are many different types of accessories for your outdoor space to enhance functionality and aesthetic beauty. Some include:

• Mirrors: Whether hanging or sitting on the floor or table, mirrors can liven up your outdoor space, making your area look larger and reflecting the colors of nature that surround you. 
• Rugs: Adding a stylish element to your space, a rug also functions to protect and prevent slips and falls and surface area damage. They add texture, color, and comfort to your bare feet as well.
• Installed or hanging lighting: Lights help create ambiance, improve navigation and safety, and may also enhance your property’s value. According to a remodeling impact report by the National Association of Realtors, updating your landscape lighting offers an average of 59% ROI, adding an incredible amount of value to your home.

 #4: Use Landscaping To Create an Oasis

Simple landscaping techniques can be used to enhance the natural beauty of your outdoor space, such as:

• Creating a container garden: Ideal gardening for limited spaces, container gardens can be easily moved to different areas of the patio to create visual interest or accommodate changing lighting conditions throughout the day.
• Adding a vertical garden: Without wasting your valuable floor space, vertical gardens grow upward and can be made using various materials. They are low-maintenance and require little water.
• Using potted plants: An easy way to add greenery to your patio space, this low-maintenance option is versatile as potted plants can come in various sizes, colors, and textures.

#5: Add Appealing Ceiling Features

Dressing up your covered patio ceiling is an excellent way to provide more comfort to your outdoor space, such as adding a:

• Fan: Extending your use of your patio even during the hottest weather, a fan can provide the airflow needed to keep your outdoor space fresh and cool.
• Skylight: Capable of bringing in a ton of natural sunlight, a skylight can brighten your patio, making it feel spacious and cheerful. An attached shade can offer options — with a touch of a button, you control how much light you want in your outdoor space.

#6: Make an All-Weather Patio

Adding walls, screens, panes, or doors capable of opening and closing can shield you from the weather, allowing you to enjoy your space year-round, regardless of rain or cooler temperatures.

An enclosed patio eliminates the annoyance of bugs and can provide more privacy while still allowing you to enjoy nature.

Add Technology for Built-In Comfort

Adding technology to your outdoor space is a surefire way to set the tone for any celebration. Whether it’s for an upscale alfresco dinner party or a backyard movie night, tech contributes to your patio’s comfort and enjoyment.

• Outdoor TV: Designed to withstand any type of weather or climate, an outdoor TV can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network so you can stream the big game or your favorite shows while hanging out or entertaining a crowd. 
• Audio systems: Adding music to the outdoor experience can amplify your connection to nature in your outdoor space even more. In fact, research shows that music makes an environment more pleasant and enhances the relaxation effect of outdoor recreational activities.
• Outdoor theater system or projector: Setting up a projector and screen can take your next family movie night to the next level. With an added surround sound, it can feel like your own private movie theater under the stars.
• Motorized shades: Installing motorized roller shades can give you the flexibility to block out the sun’s harsh rays, lower the temperature, and create instant privacy all with the push of a button.
• Patio heaters: You can keep the party going on cold summer nights and extend your outdoor season well into the fall and even the winter with patio heaters. They come in a variety of styles, can be mounted or standing, and can run on either propane or natural gas.

 

5 Considerations To Make When Designing a Covered Patio Extension

#1: Purpose

Asking yourself how you want to use your outdoor space will help you narrow down how you will design and build your ideal space into existence.

Think about the primary function that your patio will serve. When it comes to covered patio extension ideas and design inspiration, decide if its main purpose will be for:

• Entertainment: You may want a television, an outdoor table with seating, a grill, a bar, or an outdoor kitchen incorporated into your design.
• Relaxation: It may be ideal to include lounge furniture paired with a garden, a tranquil water feature, or shrubbery.
• A family play area: To build an outdoor space for lively action and safety purposes, you may consider how to design your patio with a storage space for toys, a fire pit for s’mores, and barriers or railings for containment.
• An evening retreat: You may try incorporating an outdoor fireplace, lounge chairs for stargazing, or a space designated for a hot tub.

Three Rivers Custom Decks creates personalized outdoor overhead structures to suit your needs, maximize your outdoor space, and enrich your lifestyle.